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Sterling Silver

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515
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Sterling Silver For Sale
19th Century - Sterling Silver - Superb Coffee Pot - Hallmarked:- London 1889
Located in York, GB
Sterling silver, large sized, baluster shaped Coffee Pot Made in London in 1889, by Joseph & Horace Savory, trading as the Goldsmiths Alliance, Their showroom in Regent Street, Lo...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Penguin by Alcino Silversmith Handcrafted in Sterling Silver with Ostrich Egg
Located in Porto, 13
Penguin by Alcino Silversmith 1902 is a handcrafted piece in 925 sterling silver with ostrich egg application and black onix eyes. This penguin i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

English Art Deco Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
George V sterling silver box. Made by Henry Matthews in Birmingham in 1930. Rectangular with straight sides. Corner posts on ball support. Cover flat and hinged; on top horizontal en...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of MCM Modernist Sterling Silver Candleholders by Juvento Lopez Reyes
Located in San Diego, CA
Spectacular pair of MCM modernist sterling silver candleholders by Juvento Lopez Reyes, circa 1960s. This rare set is in very good vintage condition and measures 10"W (each one is 5"...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Very Attractive Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Christening Mug, London, 1863
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1863 by Edward Ker Reid, this attractive, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Christening Mug, features a cast ornate han...
Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Chinese Silver Prunus Blossom Vases, Maker Wang Hing & Co, circa 1890
Located in London, GB
Pair Of Chinese Silver Prunus Blossom Bud Vases, Maker Wang Hing, circa 1890 Lovely quality embossing by the renowned prolific chinese silversmiths, Wang Hing & Co of Hong Kong.
Category

1890s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Christening Mug, London 1896
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1896 by Charles Edwards, this attractive, Antique Sterling Silver Christening Mug, features swirled half fluting, a chas...
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Traditional American Classical Sterling Silver Water Pitcher
Located in New York, NY
Traditional Classical sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Dominick & Haff in New York, ca 1920. Tapering and faceted bowl on round and stepped foot. High-looping capped and scroll...
Category

Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Wine Goblet, Dog Engraved
Located in NEWARK, GB
This antique Victorian sterling silver wine goblet is simply charming. It has a wonderful engraving of a stalking dog to the front, very detailed it appears to be a retriever type...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Silver Cufflinks, Signed Mecan and Goldsmiths Hallmarks, circa: 1970
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Very nice pair of men's cufflinks, in silver with a thousandth grade of 835 - 20 carats. Very elegant and refined, their round shapes and worked in the background of very beautiful high-end accessories. Period: 20th century circa: 1970 Signed: MECAN Hallmarks: "835" and silversmith. Male elegance is made in beautiful clothes, but it also goes through the details and jewelry, especially since these gentlemen wear...
Category

1970s Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique 1920s Sterling Silver and Crocodile Skin Hip Flask
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, large antique George V glass, English sterling silver and crocodile skin mounted hip flask; an addition to our silver mounted glass collection. ...
Category

1920s British Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee, Sterling Silver Knife Rests, Birmingham, 1977
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1977 by Bishtons Ltd., this stylish pair of Modernist, Sterling Silver Knife Rests, are modelled as pheasants. ...
Category

1970s English Modern Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Parrot Bird Carved Stone Sculpture on Amethyst
Located in New York, NY
Highly realistic and detailed sculpture of a parrot with gilt silver legs perched on an amethyst base. This beautiful piece measures 6 1/3'' in height by 3 3/4'' in depth by 4 1/4'' in width. We hand polish all items...
Category

20th Century Sterling Silver

Materials

Amethyst, Stone, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Sugar Tongs, Large
Located in NEWARK, GB
A very attractive pair of antique Georgian era sterling silver sugar tongs. Featuring decorative bright cut engraving and slender bowls, they are a larger pair and quite substanti...
Category

Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Table Box Magnificent Arabian Horse Fired Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped rectangular table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-etched fire-enameled engraving painted like lapis lazuli stone and...
Category

1970s Italian Islamic Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Mid-Century Sterling & .900 Silver Cocktail Spoon Set with Figural Animals
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This boxed set of six cocktail or ice tea spoons are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Germany and date to approximately 1960 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern s...
Category

Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Georgian Irish Sterling Silver Tray/Salver, 1833
Located in London, GB
We are delighted to offer this Magnificent solid silver Georgian tray/salver made in Dublin 1833 by James Fray. The salver presents an array of remarkable and striking features suc...
Category

19th Century Irish Georgian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Cartier American Federal Sterling Silver Water Pitcher
Located in New York, NY
American Federal-style sterling silver water pitcher. Retailed by Cartier in New York, ca 1950. Gently curved body with round mouth, v-spout, and high-looping handle. Fully marked in...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Three Tiffany and Co Sterling Silver Teaspoons with Assorted Decorations
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Three Tiffany and Co. sterling silver teaspoons, with assorted beautiful decorations in the pattern Holly: perfect and rare. They are three little sculptures...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

11 Piece Antique Sterling Silver & Blue Guilloche Enamel Ladies Dresser Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique ladies dresser or vanity set is hallmarked by an unknown maker, and presumed to have originated from the United States and da...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tiffany American Large and Modern Sterling Silver Oval Serving Tray
Located in New York, NY
Large and Modern sterling silver serving tray. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1923. Oval with deep well, wide shoulder, and molded rim. Fully marked including maker’s stamp, p...
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 6 Sterling Silver Teaspoons by Towle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century set of 6 sterling teaspoons, Chippendale pattern by Towle of 1937. Never engraved. 5 troy oz. 6" x 1 1/4" w.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Yogya Silver Kala Bowl by Tom's Silver, circa 1960's, Indonesia
Located in Austin, TX
A bold and well crafted Indonesian Yogya (Jogja, Djokja) silver bowl by Tom's Silver, Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia, circa 1960's. The elegant bowl features a striking design of a Kala face, a protective monster often found above temple doors, and representative of time, death, and rebirth. A pair of makara flank the wide open, smiling mouth. A stylized foliate design surrounds the Kala. Kala are analogous with the Kirtimukha, or face of glory, originating in India and associated with Shiva. Both beings are devourers of evil and tasked with protection The bowl features two beaded borders, and a scalloped rim. The bowl set on three short out-swept feet. Stamped mark to the underside reading "TOM" "800" "DELUX". TOM stands for Tom's Silver, perhaps the most famous silver workshop in Yogyakarta. 800 is the purity of the silver (80%). DELUX is a common mark on Yogya silver...
Category

1960s Javanese Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Florentine Pattern Demitasse Spoon
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Tiffany & Co. sterling silver Florentine pattern demitasse spoon Maker: Tiffany & Co Pattern: Designed by Paulding Farnham Style: Renaissance Revival Introduced 1900, but the patent application not filed until May 9, 1904, issued June 7, 1904 Since Pat.1900 was incorporated into the dies, the company must have anticipated filing for a patent at least that year. George Paulding Farnham...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Regency Inlaid Rosewood Silver Perfume Bottle Box Dressing Set 1824
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality and handsome George IV/Regency inlaid rosewood dressing box, with the original sterling silver and glass fitted contents, London, 1824. The box having a lift-up hinged lid, finely inlaid with brass and bone marquetry of floral garlands & swags, the front having twin locking doors with corresponding inlay. Both the top, base and door panels have 'Dutch Ripple' molding and at each corner a hand-turned 'Barley Twist' column, both to the front and rear. The interior of the box also having inlaid satinwood stringing and three fitted compartments each with an etched crystal container...
Category

1820s English George IV Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Silver

800 Silver Rice Dish, Italy, 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Very elegant, with lid. The handles are covered with very fine white porcelain. 36 cm wide, weighs 1130.00 grams. Produced in the 1980s by the Ricci silverware in Alessandria. Regul...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

King Richard by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 108 Pc Dinner Size
Located in Big Bend, WI
Named for King Richard I of England. Described as truly a royal pattern with regal dignity drawn from the romantic background of the pomp and pageantry of Richard the Lion-hearted an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Silver Mounted Cut Glass Jug
Located in London, GB
Substantial silver mounted jug with decoration cut in to the glass body and star cut to the base. Made by silversmiths John Grinsell and Sons and hallmarked Birmingham 1901. Dimensi...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Passaic by Unger Sterling Silver Asparagus Fork, circa 1900
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Passaic by Unger sterling silver asparagus fork gold washed circa 1900. Good large Serving Fork, partial gold wash. Length: 8.75 inches. Weight: 81 grams. Very minor wear to original...
Category

1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

William Gale & Son 1856 New York Etruscan Medallion Wine Pitcher Ewer Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Medallion wine ewer designed by William Gale & Son. Very rare and important piece of the American silversmith history. This fabulous wine ewer was made by the William Gale & Son Company, just five years before the American Civil War (1861-1865) in the 1856. The rich design and the delicate composition reflects the extreme opulence of the northern United States in these period and the degree of sophistication when serving a table. By other part, this wine ewer is full of symbolisms, where the degree of knowledge and understanding of the characters of Greek and Roman mythology is demonstrated. This one-of-a-kind piece was carefully crafted with impeccable details in solid .925/.999 sterling silver. It is fully decorated with ancient Etruscan and Greek revival patterns and architectural neo-classic elements, such the small two balusters and the rosettes located in the handle. The most significant are the two medallions depicting the classical figures of the helmeted & bearded portrait bust of Dionysus and the portrait bust of his daughter Methe, wearing a diadem made of vine leaves. This rare pitcher has a total weight of 750.43 grams and a measure of 12 by 7.5 inches (30.5 x 19 cm). The base has a diameter of 4.75 inches (12 cm). Fully stamped in the underneath, with the silver assay hallmarks, the maker's cartouche GS, the year of production 1856 and signed in full, "W. GALE & SON NEW YORK .925 STERLING GS 1856". Dionysus, (Bacchus for the Romans), was the god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, orchards and fruit, vegetation, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, festivity and theatre in the ancient Greek culture. The iconographic theme on this sheet refer to the legend of the triumph of Dionysus, or as the Romans called him, Bacchus the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, the son of Zeus and Semele. The Bacchanalia was a religious festival in honor of the wine god, Dionysus. Methe, was the goddess-nymph of drunkenness in the ancient Greek mythology. She was the daughter and companion of the god Dionysus. She was also the wife of Staphylos (bunch of grapes) and mother of Botrys (grapes). History: The founder of the firm was William Gale (1799-1867) and the company was located in the number 447 at Broome street in New York. W. Gale invented and patented in 1826 a process for making spoons with ornamental patterns by cutting the ornament on rollers, both the upper and the lower rollers being cut with the pattern. this made the production of pattern spoons much less expensive than the former method of hand hammering patterns by the use of dies. William Gale was succeeded in the business by his son William Gale Jr. (1825-1885) who, after few years, ceased the control of the firm to H.B. Dominick & Leroy B. Haff until 1928 when the business was finally purchased by Reed & Barton. Note: The signature and hallmarks stamped at the bottom of this piece, correspond to the pieces produced before the US civil war...
Category

1850s American American Empire Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

21th Century Italian Sterling Silver Console Miniature with Mirror
Located in VALENZA, IT
Console miniature in 925 silver with mirror and marble top, wooden details. This miniature was made in 925 silver with the fusion technique. The supports under the top depict three...
Category

2010s Italian Baroque Sterling Silver

Materials

Marble, Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver, Large Desk Inkstand by Topazio of Portugal, circa 1920
Located in York, GB
Antique Solid Silver DESK INK STAND Made in Portugal, circa 1920 by TOPAZIO and marked with the sterling silver quality mark - 0,925, also with the Topazio trade mark - a shield wit...
Category

1910s Portuguese Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Gorham Edwardian Sterling Silver 3-Piece Coffee Set
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian sterling silver 3-piece coffee set. Made by Gorham in Providence, ca 1917-8. This set comprises coffeepot, creamer, and sugar. Coffeepot has tapering ovoid body with flush ...
Category

1910s American Edwardian Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Basket 235B
Located in Hellerup, DK
A large sterling silver decorative basket, design #235B by Georg Jensen from circa 1917. A beautiful handled basket raised on a series of limb like branches and a floral base on a ro...
Category

1940s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Silver Georgian Style Candlesticks London 1913 William Comyns
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Pair English antique silver candlesticks early 18th century Georgian style London 1913 William Comyns. Each on square base with incuse corners, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Georgian Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sarah Jones Vintage 1986 Sterling Silver Model of a Labrador
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage cast English sterling silver model of a labrador; part of our animal related silverware collection. This exceptional, fine and impressive vintage silver dog ornament...
Category

1980s British Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Vintage Large Asparagus Serving Fork
Located in Montreal, QC
Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Vintage Asparagus Serving Fork Simply Awesome! Entirely in Sterling Silver Large Asparagus Serving Fork. Handle Beautifully crafted with Shell and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Photo Picture Frame 1884 Hunting Horse Fox
Located in London, GB
A rare notably large Antique Victorian Photograph Frame with multiple apertures. This Solid Silver Picture frame has an rectangular shape wi...
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

20th Century Italian Solid Silver Potiche
Located in VALENZA, IT
800 solid silver potiche. Completely handmade this "lidded vase" has been embossed with scrolls which make it typically in the Baroque style. Masterfully executed, this vase among superlative embossing has been knurled, i.e. tapped thousands of times with a very small hammer, making the embossing evident and creating a perfect chromatic contrast. The lid has the same design and workmanship. The important knob was made with the fusion technique to then be screwed and therefore detachable for cleaning the vase. When it comes to potiche vase...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

A Very Fine 18th Century Georgian Onslow Pattern Sterling Silver Serving Spoon
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine & elegant 18th century George III sterling silver serving spoon in the Onslow pattern. Showing a fluted oval bowl with a feathered edge, rising to a slender stem termina...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique 1851 George Frederick Pinnell Sterling Silver Etched Cream Pitcher 186g
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian era sterling silver cream pitcher, etched with swirling leaves and flowers. Monogrammed with the initial R. Made in 1851 by Lond...
Category

1850s Victorian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of Six Glasses in 800 Silver with Internal Gilding, Italy, 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Set of six glasses in 800 silver with internal gilding, Italy, 1980s. Small signs of the time, no dents. The total weight of the silver is 1050.00 grams because each one weighs 175...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

ROLASON BROTHERS - Art Deco Pair of Sterling Silver Napkin Rings - U.K. - C.1921
Located in Chatham, ON
ROLASON BROTHERS (Vyse Street - Birmingham) - Art Deco pair of sterling silver napkin rings - each ring with engine turned design and a circular cartouche for an initial - each carto...
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

20th Cebtury Italian Solid Silver Vintage Decorative Box
Located in VALENZA, IT
Decorative pumpkin-shaped 800 solid silver box. The body of the box is round and has been embossed and chiseled with the typical stripes of the pumpkin. The knob is cast and has th...
Category

1970s Italian Other Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Square Table Clock Art Deco Inspired by Louis Cartier Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square table clock with rounded corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with fire-enamelled Art Deco design. Dimensions cm. 11.8 x 11.8. Silver weight gr. 449. Swiss mechanical movement ...
Category

1970s Italian Islamic Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Amethyst, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Set of Six Sterling Silver Menu Place Card Holders, Garrard & Co, 1997
Located in Glasgow, GB
A set of six Elizabeth II sterling silver novelty place card holders, by Garrard & Co, London, 1997. Each of the cast models are in the form of a dolphin leaping over a wave, in a fi...
Category

1990s British Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 5 Sterling Silver Vintage Martini Cocktail Olive Picks Barware Appetizer
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 5 sterling silver charming Art Deco style cocktail appetizer picks. These picks feature 5 different large bulb finials that have a raised, 3-D l...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Wine Coaster
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are delighted to offer this sterling silver wine coaster. It is new and made in England. It has a tall rim that envelopes the bottle with a wood bottom...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Art Deco Sterling Silver Wood-Backed Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Large, Art Deco, sterling silver wood-backed picture frame, Birmingham, England, year-hallmarked for 1927, Sanders and MacKenzie - makers. Measures 13 1/2 inches high x 9 1/2 inches ...
Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique German Bowl Commemorating Fun Couple Napoleon & Marie Louise
Located in New York, NY
German 800 silver bowl commemorating Napoleon I and Marie-Louise. Lobed quatrefoil with embossed medallion bust portraits of the couple surmounted an eagle; at bottom a military trop...
Category

Late 19th Century German Empire Revival Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

La Scala Gold by Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service 8 Set Vermeil 58 Pcs
Located in Big Bend, WI
La Scala Gold by Gorham Sterling Silver flatware set - 58 pieces. This set is vermeil (completely gold-washed) and includes: 8 Knives, 9" 8 Forks, 7 1/2" 8 Salad Forks, 6 1/2" ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

French Silver Plate Art Deco Tea Set in Original Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver tea set with tray, pot, cream canister, and sugar canister. The set comes in a blue and white double-clasp box for storage or transport. Catc...
Category

20th Century Art Deco Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Silver Plate

Art Deco Period Sterling Silver Cocktail Shaker
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Period, sterling silver cocktail shaker, Marcus and Company, New York - makers, Ca. 1935. Measures 5 1/4 inches high x 3 1/4 inches diamete...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Very Fine Mid 18th Century George III Sterling Silver Gravy Boat, London, 1761
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine & generously proportioned mid 18th century Georgian sterling silver gravy boat, showing foliate embossed motifs and a blank cartouche, affixed with an impressive double-s...
Category

Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen Acanthus Sterling Silverware For Twelve
Located in Hellerup, DK
A very large 159 piece set of Georg Jensen sterling silverware in the Acanthus pattern, design by Johan Rohde from 1917. Acanthus is t...
Category

1940s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

.925 Modern Silver Espresso / Demitasse Spoon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An espresso spoon for the modern coffee connoisseur - crafted with passion and precision by Heath Wagoner of HW. Studio in Brooklyn. Made with high-...
Category

2010s Modern Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Sauce Boat Shell on Rock, England, 1920 Stamped
Located in Paris, FR
A rare silver sauce boat silver shaped as a shell on Rock made in England 1900 Anonymous artist with all the marks from English manufacturer. Good co...
Category

1910s Vintage Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Magnificent Set of 12 Georgian Solid Silver Gilt Dishes - 1780-1811
Located in London, GB
We are delighted to offer this magnificent matched set of Georgian solid silver dishes, all fully gilt in a rich gold tone and remaining in great condition. This set of 12 dishes is of exactly identical design and size, comprised of seven dishes by William Stroud, London 1811; two by Andrew Fogelberg & Stephen Gilbert...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Sterling Silver

Materials

Vermeil, Sterling Silver

Vintage, New and Antique Sterling Silver

Dining and entertaining changed drastically when we began to set our tables with sterling silver for holiday gatherings, wedding receptions, engagement parties and, in some of today’s homes, everyday meals.

Often called the “Queen of metals,” silver has been universally adored for thousands of years. It is easy to see why it has always been sought after: It is durable, strong and beautiful. (Louis XIV had tables made entirely of silver.) Sterling silver is an alloy that is made of 92.5 percent silver — the “925” stamp that identifies sterling-silver jewelry refers to this number. The other 7.5 percent in sterling silver is typically sourced from copper.

Neoclassical-style sterling-silver goods in Europe gained popularity in the late 18th century — a taste for sterling-silver tableware as well as tea sets had taken shape — while in the United States, beginning in the 19th century, preparing the dinner table with sterling-silver flatware had become somewhat of a standard practice. Indeed, owning lots of silver goods during the Victorian era was a big deal. Back then, displaying fine silver at home was a status symbol for middle-class American families. And this domestic silver craze meant great profitability for legendary silversmith manufacturers such as Reed & Barton, Gorham Manufacturing Company and the International Silver Company, which was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898, a major hub of silver manufacturing nicknamed “Silver City.”

Today, special occasions might call for ceremonial silver designed by Tiffany & Co. or the seductive sterling-silver cutlery from remarkable Danish silversmith Georg Jensen, but there really doesn’t have to be an event on the calendar to trot out your finest tableware.

Event- and wedding-planning company maestro Tara Guérard says that some “investment pieces,” such as this widely enamored alloy, should see everyday use, and we’re inclined to agree.

“Sterling-silver flatware is a must-have that you can use every single day, even to eat cereal,” she says. “Personally, I want a sterling-silver goblet set for 12 to 20; I would use them every time I had a dinner party. Ultimately, there are no criteria for buying vintage pieces: Buy what you love, and make it work.”

Whether you’re thinking “ceremonial” or “cereal,” browse a versatile collection of vintage, new and antique sterling-silver wares on 1stDibs today.

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