Hi Andrew,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is probably Sheffield plate, an early form of silver plating that was invented in Sheffield, England, in the mid 18th Century by Thomas Boulsover. It was made by fusing a thin sheet of sterling silver to a thick sheet of copper using heat and pressure. The bonded metal was then rolled out and shaped into objects like trays, teapots, candlesticks, and flatware. It predated electroplating (noted by the initials EPNS, which stood for Electro Plated Nickel Silver) and could be engraved as in this bucket.

While electroplated silver largely replaced Sheffield Silver because it was more affordable to create, it was still made in limited quantities in the early/mid 20th Century when your ice bucket was made.

You should be able to polish away the tarnishing of this bucket, which will increase its desirability if you're hoping to sell this. In as-is condition, it would likely bring between £400 and £600 but if polished you could reliably expect to get closer to £800 and £1,200. Its worth noting that private or retail sellers will be asking for more

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage Sheffield silver ice bucket
made in Sheffield, England, early/mid 20th Century
Of circular section with two short single-loop handles, the side engraved 'Cafe Royal', marked indistinctly to the underside
Greatest width: 8 inches
CONDITION: Tarnished
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$£400-600 *
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia