Plate 1825 - 1835

This silver-plated plate was made by James Dixon & Sons, a prominent Sheffield metalworking firm that operated throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In Britain, Sheffield plate originated in the mid-1700s and involved fusing silver to a copper ingot. Mass production of plated wares became widespread in the 19th century, as a growing middle class demanded affordable versions of luxury items. The plate embodies both the aspirations and realities of industrial production in the Victorian era. It symbolizes a shift in cultural values towards consumerism and accessibility. Silverware was once the preserve of the aristocracy, but advances in manufacturing brought it into the homes of a much wider population. The presence of an object like this in a museum invites us to consider the social and economic context of its creation. By studying company records, trade catalogs, and period advertisements, we gain a richer understanding of the cultural forces at play.