Posted 3 years ago
dav2no1
(823 items)
5" Wilton Armetale Bowl
Size: 4 7/8" x 2"
Wilton- Columbia, PA
Picked this up yesterday. Bought it as a catch all dish.
I believe it is from the early 1970s? Thanks to an awesome CW member, we now know it's Armetale. See information in comments section.
I only paid $5. Nice bowl for that price.
There's a lot of marks on it for a small bowl.
Nice quality! My wife makes cakes and all of her best cake pans are Wilton, as is her cake decorating supplies.
Maybe you can ask her to take a look and help me date this piece?
dav2no1, Cool. :-)
It is pewter, or is it Wilton's proprietary Armetale?:
*snip*
From the FAQ page of the Wilton/Armetale (http://www.armetale.com/faqs) web site.
Q: What is the metal content of the Wilton Armetale?
A: Wilton Armetale is a Metal mixture of over 10 different metals with the primary metal being Aluminum. Almost all of the Wilton Armetale products are safe to cook, bake, broil, grill, chill and use for serving.
*snip*
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/archive/index.php/t-158614.html
*snip*
Established in 1954, the Wilton Brass Company located at 18th and Franklin streets in Columbia, Pennsylvania, offered brass objects made for industry and consumers. This company was a collaboration between Mr. Frederick M. Wilton and his nephew, Mr. Ralph (Bud) Wilton. In 1963 this company developed another metal from an aluminum based alloy which it called ‘Armetale’. By the late 1960s the ‘Armetale’ brand products overshadowed the brass offerings. The company continued to be known as the ‘Wilton Brass Company’ until well into the 1980s.
*snip*
https://www.steveonsteins.com/armetale-what-is-this-stuff/
https://issuu.com/almorgifts/docs/wacareinstructions
I think perhaps that what you have is this:
https://www.replacements.com/silver-wilton-armetale-plough-tavern-armetale-hollow-satin-round-bowl-4/p/112171521
*snip*
Wilton Armetale Plough
The Plough series was originally patterned after a piece made by Benjamin and Joseph Harbeson (1793-1808 being the time during which they were pewterers) in Philadelphia, PA. The plate which the Wilton pattern makers reprocuced is in the collection of the Plough Tavern restoration in York, PA. The series was introduced in the mid 1960's and was re-introduced as a classic style 50 years later. Its simplicity and adaptability are at home almost anywhere. ... It has been photographed extensively in national publications and was made famous by a photo of it on the table of the American White House Chief of Staff meetings that was widely published during the Carter, Reagan and Bush Presidencies.
*snip*
https://www.dinnerwareetc.com/wilton-armetale-plough.html
KMIK..I have no Idea? This is not my wheel house...I know enough to be dangerous, but that's it. Thanks for the info and links..good stuff! For $5 I couldn't go wrong!
dav2no1, Hey, I don't even have a wheelhouse. >8-0
The tip off on your item being Armetale was that "RWP" on the bottom of the bowl.
What exactly does RWP stand for? I'm not sure, but here's a clue:
*snip*
The Wilton family has been involved in the metal casting industry since 1892 when Ralph P. Wilton, Sr. began working for his uncle at the Susquehanna Casting Company near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. At that time, the foundry produced industrial iron castings for other manufacturers. Half a century later, Ralph P. Wilton, Jr. expanded the family business through other ventures, such as Wilton Products (1940) which made cast iron gifts and the Wilton Brass Company (1955) which initially produced industrial brass, aluminum, and iron castings. The company's greatest success occurred in 1963 when Wilton, Jr. developed the formula for a unique aluminum-based alloy called Armetale, which led to a new line of Wilton products. In 1969, the Wilton Brass Company relocated to Mount Joy, Pennsylvania and changed its name to reflect its new direction. Today, Wilton Armetale combines innovative design with old-world craftsmanship to produce a successful line of serveware, giftware, and decorative accessories.
*snip*
http://www.rain4us.net/wilton/history
It might be the initials of the inventor of Armetale (Ralph P. Wilton Jr.). The "W" of the surname is in the middle, but that's pretty typical in monograms.
Here's one more link, just because it made me wheeze. These people are home model engine machinists, and one was interested in the idea of acquiring enough 'scrap' Armetale to melt it down and recast it as engines:
https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/armetale-for-castings.21521/
keramikos - you were spot on in your research! And after measuring again, it is 4 7/8"! So thank you again.
Our etsy store has been busy, so we have out trying to buy stuff and haven't had time to look this up. I bought this for myself, but we also bought a box of 20+ pieces. After looking, they are also marked the same. I was worried about the lead issue.
Thanks again, I learned a lot from a small bowl! Good stuff!
dav2no1, You're welcome. :-)
Normally, I would have linked Wilton's own website, but it's "under maintenance," probably because of a sad, but familiar story:
*snip*
Dec 3, 2010 Updated Sep 12, 2013
After 118 years, Wilton Armetale no longer has a foundry or a Wilton.
The four Wilton brothers - the fourth generation of the family to own the company - have sold the business to a Reading foundry owner.
*snip*
https://lancasteronline.com/business/family-bows-out-of-wilton-armetale/article_a76d709b-13f2-5c36-b020-760b480feeab.html
*snip*
Wilton Armetale was founded in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1892. As of April 8th, 2016, Lifetime has acquired the Wilton Armetale brand, product lines and other assets.
*snip*
https://www.wayfair.com/brand/bnd/wlar-b41749.html