An exceptionally fine quality example of an English Silverplated on Copper Grand Tour circular Centerpiece of generous size, made by renown Silversmiths Elkington & Co. Mid Nineteenth Century The large circular outline superbly decorated with castings of shells and scrolling with decorative panels of pierced detailing, raised on central support with spreading base with similar decoration. Condition: Good untouched condition with nice patination, professionally cleaned and polished, no losses anywhere. Cleare base marks as shown. Diameter: (entire as shown) 9.5'' (24cm). Height: 4� (10.25cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Affordable fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping offered by Seller. Note: The originators of silver-plating were George Richards Elkington and Henry Elkington who began their research in times of the Industrial Revolution. By the 1830''s they had patented their processes and 1840 saw the technique of electro-plating brought to perfection. John Culme, in his Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, said that ''Elkington Electroplate was soon accepted with the result that the firm allowed a number of manufacturers to use the technique under license. Among the earliest granted were those of Christofle & Cie of France''. The firm has a worldwide reputation for hand-crafted excellence. Today, the firm is busy making bowls, jugs, trays, candlesticks, ornaments and trophies for international sporting events as well as cutlery pieces. Royal Endorsements & Warrants In 1868, Queen Victoria permitted much of the royal plate to be copied by Elkingtons and after that a convention was entered into by ''several Princes of the reigning families of Europe'' whereby they agreed mutually to assist the company in allowing copies of their own national objects for the process of art. For its excellence in artistic quality and fine design for which the company has received the highest possible awards at the Great Inter...