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1930s W.M.F. Art Deco Silver Plated Oval Tray
1930s W.M.F. Art Deco Silver Plated Oval Tray

1930s W.M.F. Art Deco Silver Plated Oval Tray

By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik

Located in Aci Castello, IT

Graceful and elegant Art Deco oval tray in silver plate. The border is printed with a light geometric decoration interspersed with delicate stylized roses. The part between the borde...

Category

Early 20th Century German Art Deco Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Early 20th Century English Silver Plate Engraved Oval Serving Tray
Early 20th Century English Silver Plate Engraved Oval Serving Tray

Early 20th Century English Silver Plate Engraved Oval Serving Tray

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This English silver plate oval tray from the early 20th century features a detailed engraving of leaves and C-scrolls. Its pierced silver rim is embellished with a striated upper edg...

Category

Vintage 1920s English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Victorian Neoclassical Oval Silver Plated Tray William Hutton, 19th Century
Victorian Neoclassical Oval Silver Plated Tray William Hutton, 19th Century

Victorian Neoclassical Oval Silver Plated Tray William Hutton, 19th Century

By William Hutton & Sons

Located in London, GB

This large oval silver plated tray features fabulous engraved anthemion, c-scrolls, foliate and floral decoration, surrounded by moulded borders decorated with anthemion.

Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray Walker and Hall, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray Walker and Hall, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray Walker and Hall, 19th Century

By Walker & Hall

Located in London, GB

The oval tray features elegantly engraved bands and has a beautiful fretwork gallery.

Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Elkington, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Elkington, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Elkington, 19th Century

By Elkington & Co.

Located in London, GB

This is an exceptional quality antique English Victorian oval silver plated twin handled tray with beautiful engraved and embossed foliate decoration. Dating circa 1870 and bearin...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Mappin & Webb, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Mappin & Webb, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Mappin & Webb, 19th Century

By Mappin & Webb

Located in London, GB

This is a magnificent antique English Victorian oval silver plated twin handled tray by the highly sought after silversmiths Mappin & Webb, Sheffield, circa 1880 in date.

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Oval Victorian Silver Plated Tray by Mappin & Webb, 19th Century
Antique Oval Victorian Silver Plated Tray by Mappin & Webb, 19th Century

Antique Oval Victorian Silver Plated Tray by Mappin & Webb, 19th Century

By Mappin & Webb

Located in London, GB

This is a magnificent antique English Victorian oval silver-plated twin handled tray by the renowned Silversmith Mappin & Webb, circa 1880 in date.

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Oval Victorian Silver Plated Tray by James Dixon, 19th Century
Antique Oval Victorian Silver Plated Tray by James Dixon, 19th Century

Antique Oval Victorian Silver Plated Tray by James Dixon, 19th Century

By James Dixon & Sons

Located in London, GB

This is a magnificent antique English Victorian shaped oval silver-plated twin handled tray by the renowned Silversmith James Dixson, circa 1880 in date.

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Oval Silver Plate Mallard Duck Serving Tray by Teghini Firenze
Oval Silver Plate Mallard Duck Serving Tray by Teghini Firenze

Oval Silver Plate Mallard Duck Serving Tray by Teghini Firenze

By Teghini

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

A large vintage Teghini Firenze silver plate duck serving platter. This piece may have originally come with a very shallow underplate. However, as we've seen, other pieces like this ...

Category

20th Century American Regency Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Twin Handled Tray 1870, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Twin Handled Tray 1870, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Twin Handled Tray 1870, 19th Century

By Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd.

Located in London, GB

This is a wonderful antique English Victorian oval silver plated twin handled tray, bearing the makers mark TB&S for the renowned silversmiths Thomas Bradbury & Sons as well as the V...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

English Neoclassical Revival Silver Plate Tray of Oval Form, ca. 1875
English Neoclassical Revival Silver Plate Tray of Oval Form, ca. 1875

English Neoclassical Revival Silver Plate Tray of Oval Form, ca. 1875

Located in Atlanta, GA

of oval form and raised on small rounded feet this tray has carrying handles and a raised reticulated gallery with a patterned upper edge, only discernible mark is a lower case "b" w...

Category

Antique 1870s English Neoclassical Revival Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Twin Handled Tray 1879 19th Century
Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Twin Handled Tray 1879 19th Century

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Twin Handled Tray 1879 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a wonderful antique English Victorian oval silver-plated twin handled tray, 1879 in date. This splendid large tray features beautifully engraved floral and foliate decorat...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Manoah Rhodes, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Manoah Rhodes, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tray by Manoah Rhodes, 19th Century

By Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

Located in London, GB

This is a magnificent antique English Victorian oval silver-plated twin handled tray by the renowned Silversmith Manoah Rhodes & Sons, Bradford, circa 1880 in date. This splendid...

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Oval Twin Handled Tray 1870, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Oval Twin Handled Tray 1870, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Silver Plated Oval Twin Handled Tray 1870, 19th Century

By Thomas Waterhouse

Located in London, GB

This is a wonderful antique English Victorian oval silver plated twin handled tray, bearing the makers mark TB&S for the renowned silversmiths Thomas Waterhouse as well as the Victor...

Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tea Tray by Elkington, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tea Tray by Elkington, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Oval Silver Plated Tea Tray by Elkington, 19th Century

By Elkington & Co.

Located in London, GB

This is an exceptional quality antique English Victorian oval silver plated twin handled tea tray by the renowned silversmiths, Elkington & Co., circa 1880 in date. This splendid...

Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Irish Silver Plated Oval Twin Handled Tray W. Gibson, 1870
Antique Irish Silver Plated Oval Twin Handled Tray W. Gibson, 1870

Antique Irish Silver Plated Oval Twin Handled Tray W. Gibson, 1870

Located in London, GB

This is a wonderful antique Irish oval silver-plated twin handled tray W. Gibson & Son, Belfast, circa 1870 in date. This splendid large tray features beautifully engraved floral an...

Category

Antique 1870s Northern Irish Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Baroque by Wallace 293F Victorian Silver Plated Oval Bar Serving Tray
Vintage Baroque by Wallace 293F Victorian Silver Plated Oval Bar Serving Tray

Vintage Baroque by Wallace 293F Victorian Silver Plated Oval Bar Serving Tray

By Wallace Silversmiths

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Baroque by Wallace 293F Victorian Silver Plated Oval Bar Serving Tray. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 2" H x 23.5" W x 15" D.

Category

Mid-20th Century Other Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair of English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Trays 'Priced as a Pair'
Pair of English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Trays 'Priced as a Pair'

Pair of English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Trays 'Priced as a Pair'

Located in Austin, TX

A handsome pair of large English oval gallery serving or drinks trays (or platters), each with pierced serpentine gallery around the circumference. of fine English plate silver. Di...

Category

20th Century English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate, Copper

Antique Sheffield Reproduction Silver Plate Oval Serving Tray
Antique Sheffield Reproduction Silver Plate Oval Serving Tray

Antique Sheffield Reproduction Silver Plate Oval Serving Tray

Located in Toronto, ON

An antique Sheffield Reproduction silver plate oval serving tray with engraved interior.

Category

Early 20th Century English Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate, Copper

Wonderful Big Faux Tortoiseshell Silver Plated Oval Pierced Handle Gallery Tray
Wonderful Big Faux Tortoiseshell Silver Plated Oval Pierced Handle Gallery Tray

Wonderful Big Faux Tortoiseshell Silver Plated Oval Pierced Handle Gallery Tray

By Sheffield Silver Co.

Located in Roslyn, NY

A wonderful large faux tortoiseshell and silver plated oval pierced gallery tray with handles. in the George III style. Dimensions: 37 1/2" W x 23" D x 3.5 in. H.  

Category

20th Century English Georgian Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Large English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Tray
Large English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Tray

Large English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Tray

Located in Austin, TX

A handsome large English oval gallery serving or drinks tray (or platter) of fine Sheffield plate silver with pierced serpentine gallery around the circumference.

Category

Early 20th Century English Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate, Copper

Large vintage oval Sheffield silver gallery tray, c. 1950
Large vintage oval Sheffield silver gallery tray, c. 1950

Large vintage oval Sheffield silver gallery tray, c. 1950

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Oval vintage Sheffield gallery tray with reticulated standing rim and fine cast gadroon rim molding, along with pierced handle grips on the narrow ends.

Category

Mid-20th Century British Tray Tables

Materials

Sheffield Plate

Large Vintage English Sheffield Silver Plated Footed Tray
Large Vintage English Sheffield Silver Plated Footed Tray

Large Vintage English Sheffield Silver Plated Footed Tray

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Large vintage English Sheffield silver plated curved oval footed tray. Excellent condition.

Category

Early 20th Century English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage English Oval Decorative Tray
Vintage English Oval Decorative Tray

Vintage English Oval Decorative Tray

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Vintage English silver plate oval decorative tray. Excellent condition. The oval tray measure 16 inches length x 10 inches width.

Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Nouveau Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Oval Silver Plate Gallery Tray
Oval Silver Plate Gallery Tray

Oval Silver Plate Gallery Tray

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

Oval little footed silver plated gallery tray: a perfect serving tray, simply elegant.

Category

Mid-20th Century English Other Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Oval Silvered Bronze Mirrored Plateau Tray
Oval Silvered Bronze Mirrored Plateau Tray

Oval Silvered Bronze Mirrored Plateau Tray

Located in Lambertville, NJ

A cast and silver plated bronze framed oval plateau with mirrored surface. An elegant way to feature a prized pieces of silver or collection of smaller items, The original mirrored s...

Category

Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Bronze

Large Antique Oval Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray
Large Antique Oval Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray

Large Antique Oval Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This large oval silver plated gallery serving tray is unmarked, but presumed to be made in England during the 1920s in the style of the Victorian Period. The tray has an ornately pie...

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Brass

Antique Oval Silver Plated Footed Gallery Serving Tray
Antique Oval Silver Plated Footed Gallery Serving Tray

Antique Oval Silver Plated Footed Gallery Serving Tray

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique gallery serving tray is signed by an unknown maker, but presumed to date to approximately 1920 and done in a Victorian style. The tray is composed of silver plate over c...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Oval Silver Plated Footed Gallery Serving Tray
Antique Oval Silver Plated Footed Gallery Serving Tray

Antique Oval Silver Plated Footed Gallery Serving Tray

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique gallery serving tray is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Victorian style. The tray is composed of silv...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Large Ornate Antique Oval Silver Plated Serving Tray
Large Ornate Antique Oval Silver Plated Serving Tray

Large Ornate Antique Oval Silver Plated Serving Tray

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Presumed to have been made in England during the time period between 1900 and 1920, this very large oval shaped silver plated serving tray has very ornate handles and surround, and h...

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Oval Silver Plated Tray, English, circa 1920
Antique Oval Silver Plated Tray, English, circa 1920

Antique Oval Silver Plated Tray, English, circa 1920

Located in St Annes, Lancashire

Very smart silver plated tray. Fabulous quality. Makers mark on underside Very good condition. Almost unused.

Category

Vintage 1920s English Edwardian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Tray
Large English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Tray

Large English Silver Oval Gallery Serving or Drinks Tray

Located in Austin, TX

A handsome large English oval gallery serving or drinks tray (or platter) with pierced serpentine gallery around the circumference. Of fine English plate silver. Dimensions: Gall...

Category

20th Century English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Antique Stylied English Oval Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray
Antique Stylied English Oval Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray

Antique Stylied English Oval Silver Plated Gallery Serving Tray

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique styled serving tray was made by the Cavendish Plating Company of England and dates to approximately 1960 and done in an Edwardian style. The tray is composed of silver p...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Edwardian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Queen Anne Style Silverplate Food Dome on Oval Tray
Queen Anne Style Silverplate Food Dome on Oval Tray

Queen Anne Style Silverplate Food Dome on Oval Tray

Located in Brescia, IT

This elegant serving piece is useful to maintaining warm the food or as centrepiece.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sheffield and Silverp...

Materials

Silver Plate

Traditional English Eales 1779 Silverplate Oval Footed Engraved Serving Tray
Traditional English Eales 1779 Silverplate Oval Footed Engraved Serving Tray

Traditional English Eales 1779 Silverplate Oval Footed Engraved Serving Tray

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

A beautiful oval silverplate serving tray by Eales 1779. This piece has lovely scalloped edges and scrollwork to the inside of the piece. It sits upon four scrolled feet which gives ...

Category

20th Century English Regency Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Large Antique Oval Silver Plated Serving Tray with Ornate Floral Decoration
Large Antique Oval Silver Plated Serving Tray with Ornate Floral Decoration

Large Antique Oval Silver Plated Serving Tray with Ornate Floral Decoration

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This large antique silver plated oval serving tray originates from England and made in approximately 1920 in a Victorian style. The tray has very ornate stylized floral decoration on...

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Oval English Silver Plated Serving Tray with Grape and Leaf Decoration
Antique Oval English Silver Plated Serving Tray with Grape and Leaf Decoration

Antique Oval English Silver Plated Serving Tray with Grape and Leaf Decoration

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This oval silver plated serving tray was made in England by an unknown maker in approximately 1920 in a Victorian style.

Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Vintage Eales Silver Plated Small Raised Gallery Oval Trinket Dish Bar Tray
Vintage Eales Silver Plated Small Raised Gallery Oval Trinket Dish Bar Tray

Vintage Eales Silver Plated Small Raised Gallery Oval Trinket Dish Bar Tray

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Eales Silver Plated Small Raised Gallery Oval Trinket Dish Bar Tray with Etched Center. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 1.25" H x 11.5" W x 9" D.

Category

Mid-20th Century Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Large French Silver Plated Twin Handled Oval Tray by Christofle 19th Century
Large French Silver Plated Twin Handled Oval Tray by Christofle 19th Century

Large French Silver Plated Twin Handled Oval Tray by Christofle 19th Century

By Christofle

Located in London, GB

This is a high quality large antique French silver plated oval tray bearing the makers mark of the highly sought after French silversmith and retailer Christofle, circa 1880 in date....

Category

Antique 1880s French Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

English Silver Oval Serving Tray
English Silver Oval Serving Tray

English Silver Oval Serving Tray

By Sheffield Silver Co.

Located in New York, NY

A beautiful and substantial sterling silver plate English serving tray with a filigree/gallery edge design with oval loop 'handles', by Sheffield, England.

Category

Late 20th Century English Platters and Serveware

Materials

Copper, Sterling Silver

English Sheffield Plated Oval Barware Gallery Tray
English Sheffield Plated Oval Barware Gallery Tray

English Sheffield Plated Oval Barware Gallery Tray

Located in Tarry Town, NY

English Sheffield silver plated oval shape barware / tableware serving gallery tray with side handles.

Category

Mid-20th Century English Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

20th Century English Barker Ellis Silvered Sheffield Oval Tray, Marked
20th Century English Barker Ellis Silvered Sheffield Oval Tray, Marked

20th Century English Barker Ellis Silvered Sheffield Oval Tray, Marked

By Barker Ellis Silver Co.

Located in Atlanta, GA

20th Century English Barker Ellis Silvered Sheffield oval tray, Marked.

Category

20th Century English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate

Large Sheffield Silver Gallery Tray
Large Sheffield Silver Gallery Tray

Large Sheffield Silver Gallery Tray

Located in Kilmarnock, VA

A large oval English Sheffield silver gallery tray with elaborate monogram engraved in the center.

Category

Early 20th Century English George III Sheffield and Silverplate

Vintage Oval Oak Serving Tray by Mappin & Webb, London, UK
Vintage Oval Oak Serving Tray by Mappin & Webb, London, UK

Vintage Oval Oak Serving Tray by Mappin & Webb, London, UK

By Mappin & Webb

Located in Stockholm, SE

Beautiful, vintage and special serving plate from 1887 by famous quality English silver smiths Mappin & Webb of London and Sheffield. A fantastic large serving plate with an oval sha...

Category

Antique 1890s British High Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Sheffield Plate

Very Good Quality Early 20th Century Oval Tray
Very Good Quality Early 20th Century Oval Tray

Very Good Quality Early 20th Century Oval Tray

Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire

A very good quality oval tray. With a beautifully cast and chiselled outer border. The centre with wreaths and a cartouche without a description.

Category

Early 20th Century English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Oval Silverplate Galleried Oak Drinks Tray, England, c. 1900
Oval Silverplate Galleried Oak Drinks Tray, England, c. 1900

Oval Silverplate Galleried Oak Drinks Tray, England, c. 1900

Located in New York, NY

Oval Silverplate Galleried Oak Drinks Tray on Ball Feet with Blank Center Silverplate Medallion. England, c. 1900 20.5 inches wide x 15 inches deep x 3.5 inches high

Category

Early 20th Century British Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

A Particularly Fine Quality Late Nineteenth Century, Large Oval Tray
A Particularly Fine Quality Late Nineteenth Century, Large Oval Tray

A Particularly Fine Quality Late Nineteenth Century, Large Oval Tray

Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire

A particularly fine quality, large oval tray. With a very finely cast and chiselled outer border and deeply engraved to the centre sections.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Sheffield and Silverplate

Materials

Silver Plate

Gleaming Silver on Copper Large Oval Gallery Tray, Mid-20th- Century
Gleaming Silver on Copper Large Oval Gallery Tray, Mid-20th- Century

Gleaming Silver on Copper Large Oval Gallery Tray, Mid-20th- Century

Located in Quechee, VT

This large, reflective oval tray has a pierced and serpentine gallery with two cut-out handles on a plain oval base on four bun feet. The plain surface of the tray creates a mirror=l...

Category

20th Century British Georgian Sheffield and Silverplate

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Sheffield Oval Tray For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the sheffield oval tray you’re looking for. A sheffield oval tray — often made from metal, silver and silver plate — can elevate any home. Find 75 options for an antique or vintage sheffield oval tray now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the sheffield oval tray you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A sheffield oval tray is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Victorian, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one sheffield oval tray that is appealing in its simplicity, but Barker Ellis Silver Co., Elkington & Co. and Mappin & Webb produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Sheffield Oval Tray?

Prices for a sheffield oval tray can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $195 and can go as high as $7,800, while the average can fetch as much as $974.

Finding the Right Sheffield-silverplate for You

Sheffield silverplate is a durable combination of thin silver sheets and comparatively thicker sheets of copper that was used to create a variety of household objects for years. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage Sheffield silverplate and other silverplate for all of your formal dining and entertaining needs.

A cutler named Thomas Boulsover, who worked for a cutlers company in Sheffield, England, accidentally invented what we now call Sheffield silverplate during the 1700s. While working on a decorative knife for a customer — the metalworkers guild had been tasked with repairing its handle — Boulsover mistakenly overheated the silver and noticed that the knife’s layers of silver and copper melded together, creating an impressive bond. 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. For families that couldn’t afford the sterling-silver tureens that were used to serve soup in the upper-class English homes at the time, this was good news. They could impress guests with housewares that looked like sterling silver but actually weren't.

Today, just as pewter collectibles and sterling silver are popular with collectors at neighborhood flea markets, antique Sheffield silverplate housewares are sought after for their appearance and rich history. Sheffield silverplate can command high prices on the secondhand market.

Securing yourself a Sheffield silverplate piece is like acquiring a little bit of history. In order to identify authentic Sheffield silverplate, you need to look for one significant attribute of the material. A metalworker had to ensure that all of the exposed edges of a particular piece had to be covered with a rim of silver. If not, the middle layer, which comprised copper, would show through. This would reveal that the piece was not sterling silver.

Don’t just trot out your matching crystal, silver and porcelain once or twice a year. Make a habit of mixing high and low when setting the table. To pair with your everyday contemporary tableware, find antique and vintage Sheffield silverplate on 1stDibs as well as silverplate by goldsmith and tableware companies such as Christofle, Elkington & Co. and more.