Victorian Silver and Silver Plate Napkin Rings

The first American napkin ring patent was issued in 1867. By 1877 the silver catalog of the Meriden Britannia Company had six pages devoted to the sale of napkin rings. The fad lasted until about 1886, and by 1900 the figural napkin ring was almost completely out of vogue. The elaborate napkin ring is strictly […]

Victorian Silver and Silver Plate Souvenir Spoons

The silver souvenir spoon was a popular fad during the 1880s and 1890s. Teaspoons, orange spoons, sugar spoons, demitasse spoons, and even large spoons were designed and sold to commemorate important places or events. The handles of the spoons and the insides of the bowls pictured various buildings, exhibitions, or people. Some of the spoons […]

Victorian Silver and Silver Plate And The Thousands Of Other Pieces—

A complete silver service in Victorian times had many types of spoons, with a different one for coffee, demitasse, soup, cream soup, ice cream, and dinner. It also had dozens of different serving pieces, and no one would ever use a cold-meat fork for hot meat. Fish servers, cucumbers (to remove crumbs from the table), […]

Victorian Silver and Silver Plate Double-Wall Water Pitcher

The first silver-plated ice-water pitchers had two metal walls with an air space between the walls that kept the liquid cool. Later the pitchers were fitted with a porcelain liner. Several patents for double-wall pitchers were granted about 1850. James Stimpson received the most important patent for a double-wall pitcher and permitted four companies to […]

Should It Be Replated?

There is an easy answer. Modern silver plating destroys the charm and color of the old hand-rolled plated ware. Do not replate your old English Sheffield silver, but enjoy the worn patina even when the copper is evident. If you object to the copper, don’t buy old Sheffield. Instead buy later Victorian silver plate that […]

Victorian Silver and Silver Plate Pickle Castor

The pickle castor, a colored or clear glass jar about six inches in height, became popular in 1890. The castor was set in a metal frame, usually silver plate, with a base and tall handles that went up to an arch above the jar. A pair of tongs or a fork hung from the frame. […]

Silver Plate Vocabulary

4, 6, or 8: appears on some spoons and forks that were double plated. 6, 9, or 12: appears on some spoons and forks that were triple plated. A1: appears on silver-plated flatware to indicate it is standard plate. Quadruple plate: indicates 8 troy ounces of silver per gross (144) of teaspoons. Double, standard, and […]

Quick Tips For Identifying Old Sheffield

To spot the old hand-rolled (and rare) Sheffield, scratch your fingernail underneath the border of the platter, candlestick, or tureen. Hand-rolled silver was applied in a sheet, and your fingernail will catch the edge of this sheet of silver. Sometimes the silver layer has worn off, and copper shows through. This is called “bleeding.” Hold […]