Britannia metal
Britannia metal or britannium is a pewter-type alloy favoured for its silvery appearance and smooth surface. The composition is approximately 93% tin, 5% antimony, and 2% copper. Britannia was first produced[1] in 1769 or 1770, under the name of "Vickers White Metal", by the Sheffield manufacturers Ebenezer Hancock and Richard Jessop.[citation needed]
After the development of electroplating with silver in 1846, Britannia metal was widely used as the base metal for silver plated household goods and cutlery.[citation needed] The abbreviation EPBM on such items denotes "electroplated Britannia metal". Britannia metal was generally used as a cheaper alternative to electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) which is more durable.
Some authorities and collectors think this "white metal" sometimes formed a base for early experimentations in mercury and tin or latten metal plating in the 18th and early 19th centuries.[citation needed]. One notable use of britannium is to make the Oscar statuettes handed out each year at the Academy Awards. The 8½-pound statuettes are Britannia metal plated with gold.[2]
Britannia metal should be distinguished from Britannia silver, a high-grade alloy of silver. Britannia metal is also called Britannia Ware.[3]
[edit] See also
- English Pewter (approximately 91% tin, 7.5% antimony and 1.5% copper)
- Nickel silver ('German silver')
[edit] References
- ^ The New Encyclopædia Britannica, Micropædia (2002, 15th edition)
- ^ The Oscar Statuette
- ^ http://www.oldandsold.com/articles01/article464.shtml
