1900 Britannia Metal Candle Holders with Snuff - Pair
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A pair of English Britannia metal candle holders (one with snuff), circa 1900, 7 cm high, 18 cm wide
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- Britannia Metal / Epbm - Britannia metal items, often marked as "EPBM", are composed of a pewter type alloy of tin animony and copper, First produced in 1769, Britannia metal can be temporarily polished to a silver-like lustre. When electroplate was introduced in the mid 19th century, the Britannia newly manufactured Britannia metal items were oftern silver plated, but the plating wears off relatively quickly leaving an unappealing grey surface.
Britannia metal should not to be confused with Britannia standard silver, which is a higher grade of silver than sterling silver, containing at least 958 parts per thousand of pure silver, - Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
- Epbm / Britannia Metal - Britannia metal is a pewter type alloy, that can be temporarily polished to a silver-like lustre. In the 19th century, Britannia metal, was often electroplated. Plated wares in this metal may be marked EPBM (electro-plated Britannia metal). Where the silver plate wears on an EPBM item, the surface colour is dull grey, similar to pewter. Britannia metal was generally used as a cheaper alternative to electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) which is more durable. The primary component of nickel silver is copper and wear on an EPNS item will be indicated by a copper colored hue in the wear spots. EPBM items are held in low regard by collectors.
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