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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 set of four George III silver sauce ladles by Paul Storr, London 1812
Posted inGlossary Silver Information Silver Patterns

King’s Pattern

The King's Pattern was introduced in the early 19th century (based on an 18th century French design). The shape started out as the Hourglass pattern and then quickly developed into…
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Posted inGlossary, Silver Information, Silver Patterns
Bailey and Kitchen retailers mark with makers mark of Taylor and Lawrie
Posted inAmerican Silver Makers International Silver Makers Silver Information Silver Makers

Bailey & Kitchen

Bailey & Kitchen. Originally Bailey & Co, the company was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. It was located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In…
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Posted inAmerican Silver Makers, International Silver Makers, Silver Information, Silver Makers
A SILVER-GILT AND TRANSLUCENT ENAMEL PROCESSIONAL CROSS SPANISH, CIRCA 1370-1400
Posted inSilver Information Silver Items

Processional Crosses

Processional Crosses. A processional cross is a crucifix or cross which is carried in Christian processions. Such crosses have a long history: the Gregorian mission of Saint Augustine of Canterbury…
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Posted inSilver Information, Silver Items
A pair of George III silver candlesticks by J. Roberts & Co., Sheffield 1812
Posted inSilver Information Silver Items

Candlesticks

Candlesticks. A candlestick, chamberstick, or candelabrum (plural: candelabra) is a device used to hold a candle in place. The name "candlestick" derives from the purpose of the device as a…
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Posted inSilver Information, Silver Items
Sterling silver basket Made by Walsh & Sons in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1859-1865.
Posted inGlossary Silver Information

Openwork

Openwork or open-work is a term in art history, architecture and related fields for any technique that produces decoration by creating holes, piercings, or gaps that go right through a…
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Posted inGlossary, Silver Information
Bronze head inlaid with silver.
Posted inGlossary Silver Information

Silver-inlay

Silver-inlay. There are many types of inlay  and includes metals, gemstones and wood. This post is about silver inlaid into metals or other materials. Below are some examples of silver-inlay.…
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Posted inGlossary, Silver Information
Silver filigree brooch with floral motif and butterfly
Posted inGlossary Silver Information

Filigree

Filigree (also less commonly spelled filagree, and formerly written filigrann or filigrene) is a delicate kind of jewellery metalwork, usually of gold and silver, made with tiny beads or twisted…
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Posted inGlossary, Silver Information
Silver-gilt bowl,ca. 725–675 B.C. Cypriot
Posted inGlossary Silver Information

Silver-gilt

Silver-gilt or gilded/gilt silver, sometimes known in American English by the French term vermeil, is silver (either pure or sterling) which has been gilded with gold. Most large objects made…
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Posted inGlossary, Silver Information
A French silver and lapis lazuli paperweight
Posted inGemstones and Silver Silver Information

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli , or lapis for short, is a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. As early…
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Posted inGemstones and Silver, Silver Information
Haircomb (kushi), wood / lacquer / silver / coral, Japan, Meiji period (1868-1911)
Posted inGemstones and Silver Silver Information

Coral

Precious coral, or red coral, is the common name given to a genus of marine corals, Corallium. The distinguishing characteristic of precious corals is their durable and intensely colored red…
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Posted inGemstones and Silver, Silver Information

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