Cup with cover 19th century

This gilded silver cup with a cover was made by Elkington & Co., a firm that operated from 1829 to 1963. This object represents their specialty, electroplating, where a base metal is coated with a thin layer of gold or silver. Electroplating allowed manufacturers to create luxurious looking objects more affordably. The process involves using an electric current to deposit a thin layer of precious metal onto a base metal. This significantly reduced the amount of precious metal needed, and by extension, the cost, making items like this accessible to a wider market. Looking closely, you’ll see the intricate chased designs – the figures, foliage, and ornamental details. These would have been achieved through skilled handwork, accentuating the inherent qualities of the metal. Elkington & Co. was at the forefront of embracing these innovative techniques, demonstrating how industrialization could democratize luxury. This cup exemplifies how new technologies reshaped social class and consumption, offering the trappings of wealth to a broader audience.