A rare Victorian parcel-gilt electroplate sardine serving dish, Richard Hodd & Son of London, circa 1875

The design for this dish, described as an ‘Ornamental design of fish and shells,’ was registered at the Patent Office Design Registry, London, on 18 December 1875, parcel 3, by the electroplate manufacturers, Richard Hodd & Son, 30 and 31 Hatton Garden, London, E.C. (National Archives, Kew, BT 43/39/297054)

The origins of Richard Hodd & Son can be traced back to Goodfellow, Tilley & Hodd, electroplaters of 31 Hatton Garden, whose partners were Thomas Hutchinson Goodfellow (1818-1891), William Evans Tilley (1814-1892) and Richard Hodd senior (1812-1888). Tilley and Goodfellow, both natives of Birmingham, retired in 1854 and 1860 respectively, after which Hodd was joined by William Linley, when the firm was styled Hodd & Linley. Thereafter Linley retired and Hodd was joined by his son, also Richard (1840-1922) to trade as Richard Hodd & Son. The younger Richard Hodd’s son, George Ernest Hodd (1871-1941) became sole partner in 1902; he was succeed by his son, Frank Stephen Hodd (1907-1996).