Highly Collectible Antique 1909 Elkington & Co. Footed Silverplate Tray

This antique Elkington & Co. footed tray is such a wonderful piece of English silverplate! Measuring 12" wide.

The marks date this piece to 1909, during the Edwardian period. It was made by Elkington & Co. of Birmingham, one of the most important names in the history of English silverplate. George and Henry Elkington pioneered the commercial electroplating process and secured their influential patents around 1840. Their innovation made it possible to produce beautifully detailed silverware with a durable layer of silver over a base metal.

Elkington quickly became celebrated for the exceptional quality and artistry of its work. The company exhibited to great acclaim at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London’s Crystal Palace and later received numerous awards and Royal Warrants. Elkington produced pieces for royal households, important hotels, ocean liners and beautifully appointed private homes throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

The underside bears the E & Co. shield, the Elkington Plate name, the company’s date mark for 1909 and factory pattern number 17591A. Elkington was unusual among silverplate manufacturers because it used its own date-letter system, allowing many of its pieces to be dated to a specific year.

This tray is in excellent antique condition with light surface scratching consistent with its age. There is one area of discoloration, which is shown in the photographs. It measures 12" wide.