Aesthetic Japanese influence chamber stick by Meriden

Just for anyones interest, a gorgeous silver and 18ct gold plated chamber stick with bugs, from the Meriden Britannia Company, circa 1880s I believe. Aesthetic / arts crafts / Japanese influence style! Found a couple of days ago covered in wax, photos after careful cleaning.

 

Nice piece, Meriden called it 'gold inlaid' on silverplate, though the pieces I've seen looked more overlaid, they were always differentiated from 'gold plate' - below is a clip from the 1886 Meriden catalog (showing the original matching bobeche):




~Cheryl

 

Wow, Smudged, that is soooo cool! Really nice job cleaning it, too!

 

Gorgeous !

 

Really super piece of "Japonisme" - good score!

 

@kyratango

 

Thanks so much for that, I was hoping someone might have the catalogue! Love that they call it 'gold inlay' when its such a thin thin coating

 

Thanks! I froze it for a few minutes, then picked most of the wax off with a plastic tipped point so it wouldn't scratch the metal, then gently heated the remains of the wax with a hairdryer and soaked up with some paper towel!

 

Buuug!!!!
Very nice piece!

 

Can't beat a few good bugs on anything

 

Hey! If anyone wanted to toss one of these in my Secret Santa box, I wouldn't object!

 

'Solid silver snobs' should take note of how much admiration this piece has already gotten (I'd gladly put it in my collection too) - there is value in nice old silverplate...

~Cheryl