Shimmering on the holiday bar or by the bed stacked with books….

In the 18th century, only the aristocracy had silver tableware, made of solid silver. In 1742, Thomas Boulsover of Sheffield invented a new process known as Sheffield plating, in which liquid silver adheres to copper sheeting and then pressed into fancy shapes. Substantially reducing the use of silver and therefore the cost, the innovation was seen as completely modern. By the mid 19th century, silver became a splurge available to the middle class.

This Edwardian butler’s tray may have been used to carry breakfast up many flights of stairs.
It has the tell-tale marks of Old Sheffield: the rounded, silver edge indicating copper is sandwiched beneath. Scroll with etched florals. Expected signs of ware.