Plate 19th century

This plate was made by Elkington & Co., a famous British firm, sometime between 1829 and 1963. The ornate silver design imitates earlier, more valuable Renaissance metalwork. In the 19th century, industrialization made luxury items like this more accessible, though the craftsmanship still signaled status. The central figures and surrounding heraldry evoke a sense of history, connecting the owner to established power and lineage. Mass production and historicism went hand in hand. Objects like this plate tell us a lot about Victorian society's aspirations and anxieties. Museum records, company archives, and period publications help us decode the messages embedded in its design, revealing the social and economic forces that shaped its creation and reception. The historian’s role is to connect the object to its moment.