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WILTON Armetale
Mulberry Hill
A little background:
Tureen
The pattern:
104-98 5 pc setting
104-99 20 pc setting
Sugar
Coffee pot 12" (6 sides)
Tea pot 9 1/2" (6 sides)
Water pot 8 1/2" for hot chocolate (6 sides)
Sugar 2" x 4" (6 sides)
Creamer 3" x 4" (6 sides)
Pitchers 10 1/2" and 12 1/2" (6 sides)
Mug (6 sides)
Goblets 5" & 7" (6 sides)
Ice bucket 9 1/4" w/wood lid
Gravy boat 6" x 3" (6 sides)
Salt & pepper 4 1/2" (6 sides)
Napkin rings, matte 2" (6 sides)
Bread Tray 10 7/8" x 6"
Wine Coaster (6 sides)
Bread tray
Care and feeding:
All the pieces are polished on the top. The undersides are in matte. Because of the polished finish, these will show cuts and scratches very clearly. In the first few years of use they will be very obvious. As time passes, the scratches will go in every direction and will become part of the beauty of the plates and bowls.
Unless a seller specifically mentions their items are in new condition, you must expect scratches. Depending upon how they were cared for will determine whether or not there may be stains present. "Armetale" is Wilton's proprietary name for their aluminum-based alloy of 10 metals mixed in their secret formula. An aluminum alloy surface can hold acidic foods in the scratches and seams unless cleaned well. Although frequently called pewter, it is not even close to that specific formulation.
Buyers of used pieces may want to place their new acquisitions in the oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees. This should kill any germs and bacteria that may be present. Not all previous owners will be as clean as you and me. Heating the pieces also bakes any tiny food particles that may be present and should make them easier to remove. You will need hot pads to handle the pieces to avoid burning your hands. A nylon scrub pad (like Scotch-Brite) will help remove any residue. The pad will leave spider web-sized scratches if used vigorously. To me this is a good thing as it evens out marks made by knives, forks and rubbing against other items.
Never wash your pieces in an automatic dishwasher! Dishwasher detergent is much harsher than liquid dishsoap and will cause dulling that cannot be removed as it chemically alters the metal. Owners with salt-based water softeners should be cautioned similarly even if they use the more expensive soap designed for use with metal utensils. When you see "cloudy" items on ebay such as the bowl below, those have been washed in a dishwasher. The next time you are in a restaurant with a salad bar, they may have a large Wilton bowl for the lettuce or other condiments. Notice the finish as they have been cleaned in a dishwashing machine. On the other hand, some people may prefer the duller, satin-brushed effect.
After washing your items, dry them with a towel. Do not let them air dry. If your water has minerals, they will ultimately stain and scar your set if left without wiping. Your pieces will easily last decades if given moderate attention.
Be patient. All pieces will come up for sale over time. Sellers that are experienced with Wilton will have better descriptions of items for sale. Do not hestitate to ask extra questions if the descriptions aren't clear enough for you. The shape makes the pattern pretty difficult to confuse with others but misnaming pieces can happen if the seller doesn't know the correct name for the diameter involved. Most sellers measure the flat pieces flat edge to flat edge rather than point to point.
Yes, I do own this pattern and have service for 20 yet still buy extra pieces. We use our Wilton everyday.
I am not a dealer and I do not sell.
Ralph Vaughan
Mulberry Hill
A little background:
The Mulberry Hill pattern is named after a neighborhood in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. Golfers will know Mulberry Hill Road as the way to the Timber Ridge Golf Course.
Wilton's pattern is based on a design by the English pewterer George Bacon who was active in the early 1800s. Bacon was himself inspired by a French design dating to 1720. First released about 1968 under the name OCTAGONAL, it was renamed MULBERRY HILL in 1982. The line was also expanded to include many of the support serving pieces. Unless your pieces have a Roman numeral date on the bottom, it is virtually impossible to know the actual age.
There are imitators of the table service pieces in the pattern by other makers. The easiest way to note the difference without having to look for the maker's marks on the reverse is to look for the double reed markings on the perimeter of the pieces that tilt upward. One of the more common pretenders has three ridges that go down. Another maker, Country Ware, did have a very similar pattern. When Wilton acquired Country Ware, they discontinued the look-alike.
Tureen
The pattern:
The pieces in this pattern, including the original catalog numbers, are:
104-08 Dinner plate 10 1/4"
104-06 Salad plate 8 7/8"
104-04 Bread plate 6 3/4"
104-02 Saucer 5 3/8"
104-18 Soup 6 3/4"
104-98 5 pc setting
104-99 20 pc setting
104-12 Charger 12"
104-14 Tray 10" x 14"
Tray 18" x 23"
104-22 Vegetable 1 qt Casserole, round 8 1/2" (the generic 101-36 lid will fit)
104-26 Serving 2 qt Casserole, round 10 1/4" (the generic 101-38 lid will fit)
104-28 Pedestal 2 qt Casserole, round 10 1/4" "
Tureen, covered, with handles 8 3/4" (pictured above)
Several of the serving pieces, like the sugar bowl pictured below, have six sides rather than eight. Those pieces with six sides have that notation behind their name. The finish and other design details are consistent no matter how many sides. I have never had a guest comment on the difference.
Tray 18" x 23"
104-22 Vegetable 1 qt Casserole, round 8 1/2" (the generic 101-36 lid will fit)
104-26 Serving 2 qt Casserole, round 10 1/4" (the generic 101-38 lid will fit)
104-28 Pedestal 2 qt Casserole, round 10 1/4" "
Tureen, covered, with handles 8 3/4" (pictured above)
Several of the serving pieces, like the sugar bowl pictured below, have six sides rather than eight. Those pieces with six sides have that notation behind their name. The finish and other design details are consistent no matter how many sides. I have never had a guest comment on the difference.
Sugar
Coffee pot 12" (6 sides)
Tea pot 9 1/2" (6 sides)
Water pot 8 1/2" for hot chocolate (6 sides)
Sugar 2" x 4" (6 sides)
Creamer 3" x 4" (6 sides)
Ice bucket
Mug (6 sides)
Goblets 5" & 7" (6 sides)
Ice bucket 9 1/4" w/wood lid
Gravy boat
Gravy boat 6" x 3" (6 sides)
Salt & pepper 4 1/2" (6 sides)
Napkin rings, matte 2" (6 sides)
Bread Tray 10 7/8" x 6"
Wine Coaster (6 sides)
Bread tray
In August 1974, the Wilton catalog quoted these MSR prices:
Dinner plate $11.00
Salad plate 10.00
Bread plate 5.00
Saucer 4.00
Soup 9.00
5 pc setting 39.00
20 pc setting 156.00
Care and feeding:
All the pieces are polished on the top. The undersides are in matte. Because of the polished finish, these will show cuts and scratches very clearly. In the first few years of use they will be very obvious. As time passes, the scratches will go in every direction and will become part of the beauty of the plates and bowls.
Unless a seller specifically mentions their items are in new condition, you must expect scratches. Depending upon how they were cared for will determine whether or not there may be stains present. "Armetale" is Wilton's proprietary name for their aluminum-based alloy of 10 metals mixed in their secret formula. An aluminum alloy surface can hold acidic foods in the scratches and seams unless cleaned well. Although frequently called pewter, it is not even close to that specific formulation.
Buyers of used pieces may want to place their new acquisitions in the oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees. This should kill any germs and bacteria that may be present. Not all previous owners will be as clean as you and me. Heating the pieces also bakes any tiny food particles that may be present and should make them easier to remove. You will need hot pads to handle the pieces to avoid burning your hands. A nylon scrub pad (like Scotch-Brite) will help remove any residue. The pad will leave spider web-sized scratches if used vigorously. To me this is a good thing as it evens out marks made by knives, forks and rubbing against other items.
Never wash your pieces in an automatic dishwasher! Dishwasher detergent is much harsher than liquid dishsoap and will cause dulling that cannot be removed as it chemically alters the metal. Owners with salt-based water softeners should be cautioned similarly even if they use the more expensive soap designed for use with metal utensils. When you see "cloudy" items on ebay such as the bowl below, those have been washed in a dishwasher. The next time you are in a restaurant with a salad bar, they may have a large Wilton bowl for the lettuce or other condiments. Notice the finish as they have been cleaned in a dishwashing machine. On the other hand, some people may prefer the duller, satin-brushed effect.
After washing your items, dry them with a towel. Do not let them air dry. If your water has minerals, they will ultimately stain and scar your set if left without wiping. Your pieces will easily last decades if given moderate attention.
Be patient. All pieces will come up for sale over time. Sellers that are experienced with Wilton will have better descriptions of items for sale. Do not hestitate to ask extra questions if the descriptions aren't clear enough for you. The shape makes the pattern pretty difficult to confuse with others but misnaming pieces can happen if the seller doesn't know the correct name for the diameter involved. Most sellers measure the flat pieces flat edge to flat edge rather than point to point.
Yes, I do own this pattern and have service for 20 yet still buy extra pieces. We use our Wilton everyday.
I am not a dealer and I do not sell.
Ralph Vaughan
Guide created: 12/24/06 (updated 08/24/08)
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