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Silver Information

Silver has been in use since 4000BC and has been used for both practical purposes and ornamental. Not only are there different purposes for silver, but there are also different types.

If an item is marked Sterling, it means that the silver content is at least 92.5% silver. American silver usually has the word Sterling stamped on it whereas British silver may have either the word Sterling or the Lion Passant. Both indicate that the silver is at least 92.5% silver.

Coin silver was used before sterling silver in America. Coin silver is usually 90% silver.

In addition to sterling silver there is Sheffield Plate, Electroplate and German Silver. Sheffield Plate was one of the earliest types of silver plate. Sheffield Plate was copper with a layer of silver on the top and bottom so that the copper does not show. Sheffield Plate is quite collectible as it is quite rare. Sheffield Plate is no longer used as Electroplating took its place. Sheffield Plate is rarely marked and has a blueish tinge to it.

Electroplating is the process which involves taking a base metal, such as copper or brass, and plating it with silver. Electroplated goods are often stamped EPNS but there are some excellent silver makers which carried out these tasks and electroplated items can also be collected according to their makers.

German Silver actually contains no silver at all. German silver is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc.

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A THOMAS WEBB AND SONS STYLE TWO COLOUR SCENT BOTTLE, CIRCA 1884
Posted inBirds Bottles Silver Information Silver Items Subjects in Silver Swans

Swan Scent Bottles

Swan Scent Bottles. This post has a gallery and information on scent bottles either in the form of swans or with swan decoration. Thomas Webb and Sons made some excellent…
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Posted inBirds, Bottles, Silver Information, Silver Items, Subjects in Silver, Swans
An Edwardian silver novelty pin cushion, as a pig
Posted inAnimals Pigs Pin Cushions Sewing Implements and Accessories Silver Information Silver Items Subjects in Silver

Pig Pin Cushions

Pig Pin Cushions. Pin cushions in the form of pigs are an excellent way to start a collection of novelty pin cushions. They are probably one of the most frequently…
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Posted inAnimals, Pigs, Pin Cushions, Sewing Implements and Accessories, Silver Information, Silver Items, Subjects in Silver
Deakin and Francis silver makers mark
Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Deakin & Francis Ltd

Deakin & Francis were founded in 1786 and is still in operation today. It is still owned by the Deakin family. They currently specialise in gentlemen's cufflinks. Their mark consists…
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Posted inBirmingham Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
International Silver Co. "LIGHTHOUSE" COCKTAIL SHAKER
Posted inSilver Information Silver Items

Cocktail Shakers

Cocktail shakers were extremely fashionable in the 1920s and 1930s and most were designed in the popular Art Deco style. Sterling silver cocktail shakers were much rarer.
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Posted inSilver Information, Silver Items
Tankard,1649 Images based on printed designs by Dietrich Mayer
Posted inSilver Information Silver Items

Tankards

Tankards. A tankard is a form of drinkware consisting of a large, roughly cylindrical, drinking cup with a single handle. Tankards are usually made of silver, pewter, or glass, but…
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Posted inSilver Information, Silver Items
Holger Rasmussen Danish Silver Makers Mark
Posted inDanish Silver Makers International Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Holger Rasmussen

Holger Rasmussen was a Danish silversmith based in Copenhagen and operating between 1945 - 1956. His designs were mostly of clean lines. Below are some examples of his work and…
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Posted inDanish Silver Makers, International Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
Tiffany and Co silver makers mark circa 1860
Posted inAmerican Silver Makers International Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Tiffany & Co

Tiffany & Co was founded in New York in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, initially as stationery and fancy goods store on Broadway, styled Tiffany & Young 1837-1841, when it…
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Posted inAmerican Silver Makers, International Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
Watson Company Silver Makers Mark
Posted inAmerican Silver Makers International Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Watson Company

The Watson Company was founded around 1874 by Clarence L. Watson, Fred Newell, Charles Cobb, Samuel Gould and W.A. Battey. The company made some excellent silverware and examples are shown…
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Posted inAmerican Silver Makers, International Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
A set of six George III silver-gilt teaspoons and a pair of sugar tongs, one spoon stamped 'SH', otherwise unmarked, circa 1820
Posted inFlatware Silver Information Silver Items Spoons

Teaspoons

Teaspoons. A teaspoon is a small spoon suitable for stirring and sipping the contents of a cup of tea or coffee, or adding a portion of loose sugar to it.…
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Posted inFlatware, Silver Information, Silver Items, Spoons
Royal. A Victorian silver presentation salver, Paul Storr for Storr & Mortimer, London, 1838
Posted inSilver Information Silver Items Tableware

Platters

Silver Platters. A platter is a large type of dishware used for serving food. It is a tray on which food is displayed and served to people. Its shape can…
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Posted inSilver Information, Silver Items, Tableware

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