SCARCE JAMES DEAKIN & SONS ELECTROPLATED METALWARE ITEM

IMPORTANT: If you bid it means you accept the Terms & Conditions of this listing, as set out below. NB: If you don't intend on finalising a transaction don't waste my time, don't bid unless you intend to pay! NB: ALL measurements and weights are approximate!

This scarce antique / vintage James Deakin & Son item has some minor damage and shows signs of age. The electroplating has come away in areas around the base,  the surface has tarnished and could do with a slight clean. The unidentified item has several areas where the metal has broken off, i) one of the deer's antler's (refer photograph), ii) 3 points where the climbing vine attaches to the top square section and iii) one point where the vine attaches to a branch (at the back, just above the deer's rump). Apart from the antler the other's are barely noticeable and could be left as is or perhaps the coarse edges could be gently filed to smooth them off. I don't know what you could do about the antler apart from having it professionally repaired, if possible. There does not appear to be any other damage that I can see and despite the damage listed it is still a very beautiful piece. There is an enormous amount of detail over the entire piece. I really couldn't tell you what this is, a candlestick maybe? The top section that looks like the receptacle actually screws off but it's not a lid as the centre is hollow and the area it screws away from is not a vessel. Perhaps it is designed to fit two thicknesses of candles? Thinner candles can go into the top as is, or unscrew the top to insert a thicker candle? If anyone knows what this mystery item is please feel free to educate me. The base is attached to the item via three wing-nut screws and each of the washer's reads: SHEFFIELD. The mark on the base reads: JD & S EP (lamp logo), G4009. The JD & S stands for James Deakin & Son, who manufactured silverplate items during the years of 1871 - 1939 in Sheffield, England. EP stands for electroplate - formed when a thin layer of pure or sterling silver is deposited electrolytically onto the surface of a base metal, a process invented in 1805. The lamp logo is part of the maker's mark and I am uncertain what the G4009 stands for. The approximate size of the item is 31cmH x 15cm diameter base and approximate weight of the item is 952g unpackaged. Ideal for the collector of antique / vintage metalware items and the lover of beautiful things.

To verify the maker's mark you can visit the following website and find the matching mark, 4th down on the left-hand side:

http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_D.html

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Terms & Conditions

Product Information:  Please read the item description carefully as I take all care to describe items to the best of my ability, trying to pick up on any possible flaws or damage, however I am only human and may accidentally overlook somethings...this is simply an oversight on my part and not a deliberate deception. I am not an expert on vintage or antique items and may therefore not describe them accurately, this is due to lack of knowledge and nothing else. Items are sold as-is. If you require further information please contact me prior to bidding on the item. This is to ensure that the process remains pleasant for both parties as I will assume that, if you bid, you have read and accepted the condition of the item (along with my Terms & Conditions). While it is always a joy to find a treasure in mint condition, the reality is that time has usually taken its toll on older items. Items that have been hand made may display characteristics that are different from mass produced items, this does not make them flawed. If I am aware of any special care requirements of an item I will pass the care instructions on to the buyer.

Payment Information:  All payments must include the item number or buyers ID in order to ensure a speedy process.  Payment within Australia - Prefer direct deposit into my bank account, also accept money orders or cash on pick-up (for locals) but as per eBay policy I also offer PayPal, however would prefer direct deposit as it doesn't attract the significant fees that PayPal does. (I no longer list for worldwide sale as I had too many complaints about high postage charges when I was only charging according to Australia Post prices). At the end of auctions I contact winners to advise that I will pack items to get correct postage charges and then send my invoice, at this stage I also ask the buyer if they want any additional postage services as I usually just send via regular post. After invoice is sent I would expect payment to be made within 3-7 days of purchase, at which time I will forward the item to you, along with a message letting you know I have posted your parcel. If I have not received payment after 7 days I will contact you to give you the opportunity to do so before I report the item as unpaid through eBay - this could result in you getting an 'unpaid item strike' against you but enables me to be re-imbursed for listing and final value fees. I am an understanding person so if you cannot pay for the item, for whatever reason, in that time frame all you have to do is contact me to let me know when you can pay for it - it's all about communication - please do not assume that I have ESP. If you don't intend on paying then it's simple - DON'T BID!!! I am SO SICK of chasing up at least one person a week for payment and never hearing back, which means having to lodge an Unpaid Item Dispute with eBay which is yet another waste of my time.

Feedback Information: Up until recently (November, 2008) I always left feedback for buyers as soon as payment was received. However, I am changing my procedure due to too many buyers not reciprocating this important eBay step. Feedback is an important part of the eBay process for both buyers and sellers and I will no longer aide a buyer in increasing their positive feedback score when they cannot afford me the same courtesy - obviously when they are happy with all aspects of purchase. If a buyer is not happy with any aspect of the purchase I would hope to be contacted in the first instance to try and resolve any issues. Therefore it now works that as soon as I receive feedback I will do the same for the buyer.

Refund Information:  Where the buyer can prove that the item purchased has not been described correctly and is not satisfied with their purchase, I will provide a full refund. However, I would expect to be advised of any problems within 24 hours of the item being received. Items must be returned in the exact condition that they were despatched by me, using the same care with packaging that I used. Items must be returned COD within 14 days of receipt. I will not be responsible for original postage costs of returned items (i.e. only the return costs). I am not responsible for providing a refund where an incorrect address has been provided and the item is lost in the Australia Post system or returned to sender.

Packaging & Postage Information: Where possible I endeavour to provide postage charges in the listing. Where this is not possible I am happy to provide a postage estimate. I never package until items are sold: a) because if an item doesn't sell it is a total waste of time and resources to have pre-packed it and b) sometimes the buyer can be local and requests to pick it up. I base my postage on weight, size and destination according to Australia Post prices, i.e. I do not make a profit on postage. As I want items to be received in one piece I take extra care with packaging, this may add to the cost of postage, however, I will always endeavour to keep postage costs to a minimum. I will consider posting worldwide as long as buyers are aware it is expensive due to the distance of Australia from the rest of the world and as I do not make a profit on postage I will not tolerate complaints about postage charges. I am also happy to combine postage if more than one item is purchased. I will not take responsibility where items are broken or lost in transit by Australia Post (or their agents). It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure their postal address is correct as I post according to information provided by eBay and have encountered several situations where there was a conflict with the address, i.e. the end of auction sold item notification from eBay had one address but the invoice showed a different address. If the incorrect address has been provided I take no responsibility for lost items, nor do I refund postage or pay for the second round of postage charges once the item is returned to sender by Australia Post. Postage insurance is the buyer's choice. Local buyers are welcome to pick up, however, I will not accept responsibility if you accidentally break the item prior to leaving my property, or if you accidentally fall/trip and injure yourself on my property. Having said this, I will always endeavour to provide a safe environment for visitors and would expect only to pass the item to you at my front door.

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Let us always endeavour to keep an open line of communication in order to avoid misunderstandings and let us try never to assume the worse. For example, if no contact has been made perhaps it is due to difficulties with email programmes and other such things beyond our control. There is usually always a logical explanation for things so let us approach this professionally rather than emotionally. I must stress that the most important of the Terms & Conditions is to have FUN...so HAPPY BIDDING :)

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