EPNS Serviette Holder
c. 1900Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) serviette holder with an emu standing on a solid metal cutout of Australia supporting the ring which has an etched design and raised rims. The base has 4 small rounded feet and is in the shape of Australia with an emu standing in Queensland. There are 2 screws visible on the base which attach the emu and the ring to the base.
The firm of Johnson and Simonsen was established at Swanson Street, Melbourne in 1895 and subsequently been H. Simonsen Pty Ltd from 1914 to 1927. They moved to Bourke Street and finally to 25 Little Collins Street. Jewellers, gem merchants and importers Simonsen became one of the major jewellery manufacturers in Melbourne. The standard mark of Johnson and Simonsen, then H. Simonsen Pty Ltd was a “Square and Compass” used in conjunction with the guarantee marks of he M.J.A.of Victoria.
Reference: Australian Jewellers: Gold & Silversmiths Makers & Marks. Cavill, Cocks & Grace
Details
Details
The base is the standard mark of Johnson and Simonsen which was a “Square and Compass” with the letters EPNS and the number 88
Many Australian silversmiths (eg A C & CO,Stokes & Sons etc) were producing napkin rings like this one in the 1900's as a result of the wave of Australian nationalism that was fermented by the advent of Federation.
Modern electroplating was invented by Italian Luigi V Brugnatelli in 1805 but the invention was suppressed for many years due to the fear of confusion between plated silver and sterling silver. Electroplating became commonplace after makers agreed to use hall markings e.g. EPNS (Electro Plated Nickel Silver) / EPBM (Electro Plated Britania Metal) to indicate to composition of the metal and differentiate from sterling silver.
The Electroplating process is where a thin layer of sterling silver is deposited electrolytically on a surface of base metal like nickel or britannium (a pewter alloy).
Victoria
Australia
Swanson Street
Busselton Historical Society
Busselton Historical Society
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