Silverplated Dog’s Head

Description

This Elkington & Co. silverplate figural inkwell features a hound/retriever’s head sitting atop an integrated, ornate base tray.

• Figural Dog’s Head: The head is cast in high relief with detailed texturing representing fur, long floppy ears, and an expressive, open-mouthed expression showing teeth. It features yellow/amber glass inset eyes.
• Muzzle & Collar Detail: A prominent strap or harness runs across the snout and around the head, securing the hinged lid mechanism.
• Hinged Reservoir & Insert: The top portion of the dog’s head flips back on a rear hinge to reveal a recessed well fitted with an original clear glass insert.
• Base Tray: The head is integrated into a rococo-style tray featuring scrolling acanthus leaves, shell-like fluting, and a raised border designed to catch drips or hold a dip pen.

Decoding the Marks

The underside of the base features Elkington’s classic cross-form grouping of stamped marks surrounding a central shield:

1. Maker’s Mark (E, &, C, o): Stamped into four separate outer cartouches forming a cross around the central shield, representing Elkington & Co.
2. Central Crowned Shield: Contains the E&Co initials under a crown, the primary electroplate logo used by the company in the 19th century.
3. Date Letter A (Top Circle): Unlike most silverplate manufacturers, Elkington uniquely stamped their electroplated wares with internal year codes. In this specific sequence (with the crown and cartouche layout), the letter A dates the production of this piece to 1865.

A Brief History of Elkington & Co.

• Pioneers of Electroplating: Founded in Birmingham, England, by George Richards Elkington and Henry Elkington in the 1830s, the company revolutionized the metalware industry. In 1840, Elkington patented the commercial process for electroplating (depositing silver onto base metal using electricity).
• Dominance & Royal Warrants: Their breakthrough allowed for the creation of durable, intricate silver-plated items at a fraction of the cost of solid sterling silver. Elkington held a virtual monopoly on electroplating for years, earning numerous Royal Warrants from Queen Victoria and subsequent British monarchs.
• Exhibition Excellence & Legacy: They were famous for their grand exhibition pieces at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and produced luxury tableware and decorative art for royal households, luxury transatlantic ocean liners (such as the Titanic), and high-end hotels well into the 20th century.