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What is the difference between a silver plate and a Sheffield plate?

1 Answer
What is the difference between a silver plate and a Sheffield plate?
The difference between a silver plate and a Sheffield plate is that one item is a type of the other. Silverplate, which is sometimes spelled silver-plate or silver plate, is the general name for any silver wares made predominantly of a base metal finished with a thin layer of pure silver.

Developed in the 1700s by Thomas Boulsover in Sheffield, England, Sheffield silverplate is a specific type of silverplate created by fusing silver with copper. This new material felt like silver but was substantially cheaper. It was then used to produce a variety of serveware, candlesticks, buttons, tea sets and more.

Find antique Sheffield silverplate and other silverplate objects for sale on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024
Shop for Sheffield and Silverplate on 1stDibs
Elegant Antique English Silver Plated Revolving Breakfast Dish by Mappin and Web
Located in Bath, GB
One of the most special Breakfast dishes I have come across in some time, we only ever purchase them when they are particularly special, this one by top London silversmiths, Mappin &...
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Set of Gucci Quail Silverplate Salt And Pepper Shaker, Italy 1960s
Located in München, BY
Set of decorative silver-plated quail salt and pepper shakers, Italy 1960s. Signed Gucci and Made in Italy on the bottom. Good general condition. On the buttom, the silver platin...
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Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage silver plated decanter Distillerie Buton Bologna, Italy, 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful and elegant vintage silver-plated crystal liqueur jug from the Buton distilleries, which have historically made all their products in silver from the Galbiati silver mills ...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-Century Mexican Silverplate & Malachite Parrot Pitcher, Style Los Castillo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Mexican Silverplate and Malachite Parrot Pitcher in the Style of Los Castillo, Mexico, Circa 1970s A charming and sculptural mid-century Mexican silverplate pitcher in t...
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Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Malachite, Silver Plate

Art Deco Style English Silver Plate Toast Rack
Located in Pearland, TX
A stylish vintage English silverplated six slice toast rack. No maker's mark. This fine quality silver toast rack is well made with a lovely Art Deco style trefoil design and charmin...
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Mid-20th Century English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Christopher Dresser for Hukin and Heath Silver Plate Candy Box, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
A magnificent hammered silver plate candy box designed by Dr. Christopher Dresser for Hukin & Heath, boasting an elegant scrolled branch handle and a beautifully ruffled lid. The bas...
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Antique 1880s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

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