TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Dixon & Sons Britannia Tableware Common, Popular With Collectors

ADVERTISEMENT

By JAY MOORE Tribune Correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

Updated: 05/21/2008 10:22 pm

I would like to know if my item is a coffeepot or teapot. Also, where was it made, when was it made and what is its value? It is a large tilting pot with a warmer that uses oil.

It is marked "James Dixon & Sons, Best Britannia Metal," along with some numbers. It is 15 inches high, including the rack or holder. It has flowers and leaves on the lid.

G.H.

Sebring
James Dixon founded his firm in Sheffield, England, in 1806. In 1811, it became Dixon & Smith, later Dixon & Son and in 1835, James Dixon & Sons. It specialized in britannia metal, a less expensive alternative to sterling and silver-plate.
James Dixon & Sons was prolific and manufactured a huge assortment of britannia tableware. It is very common, but popular with collectors. The family closed it in 1976, but the Dixon mark is still used by British Silverware Ltd.

This tilting pot was used to serve coffee. Similar pieces were used to serve water, but had porcelain liners and no warmers. The style is best described as rococo-revival. It was made in the late 1850s and would retail for $150.

Some people refer to britannia as pewter. It is a close relative. It is made of tin with small amounts of antimony and copper. Pewter is made of tin with smaller amounts of antimony and copper and often includes lead.

The top hat that I inherited presumably is made of beaver. It is marked "Wm. P. Brazer & Sons, Central Street, Lowell MA." I would like to know its age and value.

R.R.

Sebring
Top hats were popular from the mid-19th through early-20th centuries. They are tall with flat tops, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom with broad brims. Early ones were made of beaver felt, later ones of silk

W. P. Brazer & Co. is listed in Lowell city directories, dating from the turn of the century, as "Hatters, Men's Outfitters, Sporting Goods" and "Agent for Dunlap Hatters of New York." It was last listed in 1921.

This silk top hat was made in about 1910. Top hats are occasionally used with formal attire, but really have been out of style for many years. It would retail for about $30. Ones in original boxes sell for more.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear digital image (.jpg file) to athome@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (plain-paper prints or Polaroid

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT