Probably plated, but can you help ID?

I think it might be plated with a lead base, but can anyone help me id the maker?

 

Oops, i’m blind. It says sheffield 304 on the other side. I’m assuming it’s plated, any way to identify its age?

 

Just temporarily blinded by your shiny silver nose.

 

It is sunny today

 

Nothing is silver-plated over lead.

Can we see the whole thing?

 

Nice! Looks like a large serving dish that used to have a matching lid. The grape motif was very very popular circa 1900-1910, although it may be later.

Just because it is heavy for its size does not make it lead.

I'm having a brain itch telling me that the "Sheffield" on this does not mean made there, but rather a US maker of "Sheffield Reproductions." Not if I could only find something like that pictorial marking. Rats!

 

I should have specified. It feels very bendy to me, kind of like lead does. But either way, thank you for looking. After my marathon hunting session today I’ll do some searching if no one turns it up

 

Bendy? That's unusual in holloware.

 

Just remembered that I had not checked the "Unidentified" section on 925. Sure enough

http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate__Unk.html

 

There it is! Yeah, when i used to metal detect i would find lead and it had the same bendy qualities. When you bend lead it tends to keep that new shape, which is exactly what this one did. Interesting to think that in all this time, no one has managed to pin down the actual maker, thanks!!

 

You bent it?????

 

I bent the edge but not damaged. To me, sterling has a soft flexible feeling, and silver on copper feels very rigid. Sometimes I hunt with my hands before my eyes

 

I think it's just a very thin gauge. There is no way that the base metal for this is lead. Seriously. Perhaps some form of pewter?

 

Britannia metal - mostly tin. About as soft as lead.

 

Thanks Terry!

 

I don't mean to cast aspersions on Terry's info or your statement that the edge bent easily, but I have a complete 5 piece coffee and tea set made of britannia that has only suffered a bend type injury to one of the lid hinges (when it was left open for several years.) It is impossible to bend any of the edges by hand. (I had it professionally repaired about 15 years ago.)

Whatever the base metal, it has to be a very thin gauge and therefore of inferior construction. It's pretty and all, but if the edges bend with normal pressure by hand, I wouldn't want to use it for food service.