Rare Antique English Britannia Metal Warmer. James Dixon & Sons

The item with wooden handle and a hinged lidded spout to poor the boiling water in. In the top the loose round container. Posssible used for heating yeast for baking. Marked on the outside bottom with:
               80
James Dixon & Sons
Best Britannia Metal
             477
This mark was used from 1842 – 1851 for the highest workmanship level.

England, circa 1860.
Period:  Early Victorian.

Height: 13 cm. (5,1 inches.)
Diam.base: 9,7 cm. (3,8 inches.)
Weight: 484 grams.       

J. DIXON & SONS 
James Dixon & Sons founded 1806 in Sheffield, was one of the major British manufacturers in the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. They were well known as manufacturers of Pewterware, Electroplated Britannia metal see Silverware and Electroplated nickel silver. It was located first at Silver Street (1806), Cornish Place (1822) Sheffield.
Britannia Metal is is a specific type of Pewter Alloy, favoured for its silvery appearance and smooth surface. The composition by weight is typically about 92% Tin 6% Antimony and 2% Copper.