What is "albata"

Albata \Al*ba"ta\, n. [L. albatus, p. p. of albare to make white, fr. albus white.] A white metallic alloy; which is made into spoons, forks, teapots, etc. British plate or German silver. See German silver, under German.

n. a white alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, once used to make cheap cutlery etc