Sterling Silver
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1,401
9,847
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75
541
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7,154
319
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371
376
490
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289
315
186
156
711
636
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374
222
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50
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10,047
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8,057
437
367
5,648
4,166
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2,442
1,839
1,776
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Sterling Silver For Sale
A sterling silver “hippo” lighter by Buccellati with blue stone eyes, 20th cent.
Located in View Park, CA
A extraordinarily rare sterling silver hippopotamus lighter by Gianmaria Buccellati with blue stone eyes, 20th century. Exhibiting stunning and precise detail, this whimsical and yet...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Turtle Sterling Silver Box
Located in Milan, IT
Elaborate workmanship imbues this ornate box shaped like a turtle with indelible character. Entirely handcrafted from sterling silver by Florentine artisan silversmith house Fratelli...
Category
2010s Italian Other Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$3,669 / item
Art Deco Russian Silver Gold Ruby Cigarette Case Hirsch Markowitsch Estonia 1930
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Art Deco silver & gold cigarette case inset with a ruby, by Hirsch Markowitsch, Tallinn, Estonia, 1930.
A good antique silver case w...
Category
1930s Estonian Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Georg Jensen Annual Spoons Gilt Sterling Silver with Enamel, Set of 10
By Georg Jensen
Located in Bochum, NRW
Annual spoons 1980-1989 in original box, designed by Annelise Björner, edited by Georg Jensen.
Annual spoons series began in 1971. Each spoon is crafted in sterling silver, then gold...
Category
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 12 Exquisite "Gilded Age" Sterling Silver Tiffany Charger Plates
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite set of 12 "Gilded Age" Sterling Silver Tiffany Charges was realized in America in 1905. Each plate has heavily detailed boarders featuring a Kylix cup amid scrolling s...
Category
Early 1900s American Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique English Sterling Silver Card Case Mappin & Webb 1904
Located in London, GB
This is a stylish antique Edwardian sterling silver card case with hallmarks for Birmingham 1904 and the makers mark of the renowned silversmiths Deakin & Francis Ltd, in the origina...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Los Castillo Rare Iguana Bottle Opener
By Los Castillo
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Original vintage silver plated Los Castillo Beautiful and hard to find Bottle Opener by famed Mexican silver Los Castillo. Stamped on the paw with the makers mark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Metal
Picture Frame two tone for oval photo Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular external frame with inward corners for oval photo, in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with two-tone translucent enamel on guilloche. Borders and ornaments in French ...
Category
1960s Italian Louis XVI Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$4,950 / set
Antique International Sterling Silver Mounted Cut Glass Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Neoclassical style cake plate or serving dish.
In sterling silver and cut glass.
By the International Silver Company. Stylistically similar to International's 'Wedgwood' pat...
Category
20th Century American Neoclassical Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Sterling Silver Swan Decorative Bowls Signed Gorham Sterling
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful pair of Art Deco Sterling silver swan decorative bowls were executed by the legendary American silver maker, Gorham circa 1920. They feature elegantly streamlined demi...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
A Rare Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver and Mixed Metal Python Snake Trophy Vase
Located in New York, NY
A Rare Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Python Trophy Vase: A Masterpiece of Mixed Metal Artistry
Presenting a truly exceptional Tiffany & Co. sterling sil...
Category
19th Century American Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Copper
Sterling Silver Crystal Compote Footed Bowl T. G. Hawkes & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful crystal and sterling silver compote or footed bowl, by T. G. Hawkes & Co., circa early to mid-20th century, USA. Crystal bowl has cut diamond design and serrated edge wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Sterling Silver
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Antique Art Deco Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Maker's Salt & Pepper Shakers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Art Deco salt & pepper shakers.
By Tiffany & Co.
In sterling silver.
Marked to the base.
Simply a wonderful pair of Tiffany salt...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Signed Vintage Buccellati Italian Sterling Silver Pepper Grinder or Mill
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine designer pepper grinder or mill.
By Buccellati.
In sterling silver.
With raised acanthus leaf decoration around the circumference and a stylized ribbon finial.
(The pepper...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Viennese Bronze Enamel Table Clock With Atlas Carrying The Case, Circa 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Artfully decorated fire-gilded and enamelled bronze clock by a Viennese master:
Fully sculpted bronze Atlas on a slightly curved oval base supporting a round clock case, all surfaces...
Category
1880s Austrian Other Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Enamel, Bronze
Sterling Silver Hebraic Cutout and Acrylic Passover Compendium & Dishes
Located in New York, NY
A remarkable example of mid-20th-century Israeli Judaica design, this modernist Passover compendium from the 1950s combines traditional symbolism with sleek, architectural aesthetics...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Pyramid Sterling Silver Service for Twelve
By Georg Jensen
Located in Hellerup, DK
A complete Georg Jensen silverware service in the Pyramid pattern, designed by Harald Nielsen in 1926. This set comprises twelve settings of 7 pieces, totaling 84 pieces. The set inc...
Category
1940s Danish Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Partially Silvered Sea Shell Lister's Conch
Located in New York, NY
Lister's conch partially silvered shell 5". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop ...
Category
2010s Italian Victorian Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$300 / item
David Andersen Silver Gilt & Guilloche Enamel Napkin Ring c.1920
Located in Bath, GB
A stunning and rarely found Norwegian napkin ring made by the famous silversmith, David Andersen.
The ring is made from sterling silver, stamped 925 (925/1000) and lavishly washed in gold; together with the maker's mark for David Andersen. This mark was used between 1888 to 1925, this piece would certainly date to c.1920.
The guilloche purple...
Category
1920s Norwegian Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage Sterling Silver Model of Queen's Coronation Coach 20th Century
Located in London, GB
An attractive silver model of the Queen's coronation coach, hallmarked for Birmingham 1977, with the makers mark for Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd on a red velvet base.
Gold State Coa...
Category
1970s Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Table box concave corners enamel sterling silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box with concave corners in 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, also on the sides and fine hand engravings in baroque style. With l...
Category
1950s Italian Baroque Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Tiffany & Co. Mid-Century Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cup or Mug
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed vintage silver mint julep cup.
In sterling silver.
By Tiffany & Co.
Fully marked to the base.
Simply a wonderful silve...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Doulton Burslem Art Deco Silver Mounted Coffee Cup Set
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce and exceptional Doulton Burslem Art Deco silver mounted coffee cup set complete with saucer and original spoon and dated 1929. The porcelain tr...
Category
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Calling/Business Card Case by George Unite
By George Unite
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver calling card/business card case in original, velvet lined leather box, London, year-hallmarked for 1860, George ...
Category
1860s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 8 Revere Silversmiths Sterling Silver Goblets 6.25" Pattern #228
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite set of eight sterling silver goblets, crafted by the renowned Revere Silversmith Company, exemplifies the elegance and refinement associated with early to mid-20th-cen...
Category
20th Century American Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$1,560 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Sterling Silver Punch Bowl Walker & Hall 1893 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a large gorgeous antique Victorian sterling silver punch bowl bearing the makers mark of the renowned silversmiths Walker & Hall and hallmarks for Sheffield 1893.
This exquisite punch bowl is also ideal as a champagne cooler and it has beautiful and incredibly detailed embossed half fluted decoration and is raised on a pedestal foot.
This is truly a special item and it will attract the maximum amount of attention, the quality and craftsmanship are undeniable.
Condition:
In excellent condition with clear hallmarks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 15 x Width 26 x Depth 26
Weight 0.87 kg
Dimensions in inches:
Height 6 inches x Width 10 inches x Depth 10 inches
Weight 28 troy oz
Walker & Hall
the business was established in Sheffield in 1845 by George Walker...
Category
1890s English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
1889 Antique Adolph Newsalt Sterling Silver Sauce Boat Georgian Creamer 97g
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornate antique Georgian style A. Newsalt creamer, pitcher or gravy boat featuring elongated spout with patterned edge, serpentine handle, and angled hooved / footed base. Engraved Lu...
Category
1880s Georgian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$188 Sale Price
20% Off
Victorian Neoclassical-Style Sterling Silver Corinthian Column Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of Victorian Period, neoclassical-style, sterling silver Corinthian column candlesticks, made in the city of Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1898, Hawksworth, ...
Category
1890s English Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
1920s England by Reid & Son Antique Silver and Mother of Pearl Cutlery Flatware
Located in Brescia, IT
Silver Flatware, England 1920s
A set of 12 knives and 12 forks with real mother of pearl handles.
Original wooden box.
Knife 20 cm. Fork 16 cm
Exce...
Category
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Cypres by Tias Eckhoff Cutlery Set for 8 Persons
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Georg Jensen silver Denmark Cypres cutlery set for 8 persons in sterling silver designed by Tias Eckhoff in 1952.
The set includes:
8 dining knives, length 22.3 cm
8 dining fork...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Edwardian Silver Plated Entrée Dish
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian silver plated entrée dish having a silver plated entrée dish with a lift off lid with original handle and an ornate pretty ...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver Plate
9 PC, Sterling Silver "Orchid" Tea and Coffee Service by International C. 1930
Located in Atlanta, GA
This distinguished nine-piece tea and coffee service, crafted by the International Silver Company, epitomizes the height of American silver artistry from the early 20th century. Desi...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Cigar Box with Fine Fine Miniature Alphons Mucha's "Amethyst" Poster Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular rounded cigar box with vertical opening in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine miniature hand-painted in tempera on vegetable iv...
Category
1970s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Silver Vase, Persian Traditional Decorative Cup Achamedian Qajar Vase
Located in Wembley, GB
The title of the work and its imagery, Golo Morgh (Bird and flower), references gol o bolbol. The gol (rose) and the bolbol (a nightingale) motif – a sub-theme of the bird and flower...
Category
1910s Persian Art Deco Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Garrard & Co Art Nouveau Cased Set Six Silver Goblets by Hancocks & Co
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning original art nouveau cased set of six silver goblets retailed by Garrard & Co and made by London silversmiths Frederick Hancock and dated 1913. The set of six heavy gauge ...
Category
1910s English Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Vintage 19th Century Christofle Silver Plated Round Bread Plates Hallmarked Pair
By Christofle
Located in Milano, IT
This beautiful vintage pair of small round bread plates from Christofle, France, dates back to the 19th century, showcasing the renowned craftsmanship of this prestigious silversmith...
Category
19th Century French Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver Plate
Victorian Style Sterling Silver Grape Shears
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sterling silver, Victorian style grape shears, Sheffield, England, 1938. "Fox and Grapes" motif on each handle. One of the cutting "blades" has ...
Category
1930s English Victorian Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rare Pair of Exeter Sterling Silver Parcel-Gilt Georgian Berry Spoons
By William Woodman
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of Georgian, sterling silver, parcel-gilt berry spoons, Exeter, England, 1830, William Woodman - maker. Measures: 9" long x 2" wide (at widest point). Vacant cartouche. Bea...
Category
19th Century British Georgian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver " Lilly of the Valley " Bon Bon Dish by Whiting Division
Located in Huntington, NY
Sterling Silver " Lilly of the Valley " Bon Bon Dish by Whiting Division
Whiting had small production but produced exceptional handmade silverware in relatively small quantities.
This Company's most important designer was Charles Osborne...
Category
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Victorian, Sterling Silver Pedestal-Based Monteith/Centerpiece Bowl
By Joseph Hicks
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, sterling silver, pedestal-based Monteith/centerpiece bowl, London, year-hallmarked for 1898, Joseph Hicks - maker. Measures 6 inches high x 8 1/4 inches diameter. Weighs 1...
Category
1890s European Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Exceptional Art Nouveau 3D Silver Overlay Vase, Alvin Mfg
Located in Riverdale, NY
Exceptionally rare silver overlay vase by Alvin Mfg Co. of Providence Rhode Island from the late 19th century.
This vase is a tour de force of Art Nouveau silver work on glass. The intricate sterling floral base design is overlaid onto the emerald green glass and is finely etched and detailed. Then, above these swirling Art Nouveau florals which wrap around the vase, are vines sprouting three dimensional blown out poppies throughout. Even the vines are treated in three dimensions as they wrap around the central cartouche (conjoined Victorian monogram...
Category
1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
1882 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Flask of Victorian Equestrian Riding Scene
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This acid etched and engraved Tiffany sterling silver flask with full marks for 1882 might be the most fully articulated narrative in Tif...
Category
1880s American Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Modern Art of Metalwork: Brohan-Museum V1 '1889-1939 (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This catalogue covers the Brohan Museum hollowware collection of silver, pewter, brass, copper, stainless steel, nickel, aluminium and metal alloys such as nickelsilver, from the late nineteenth century and the first part of the twentieth century up to 1939. Flatware was not included, since this is the subject of another publication. There is an excellent inventory of artists from Belgium...
Category
Early 20th Century Sterling Silver
Materials
Paper
Ballpoint Pen Modern Contemporary Style Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Ballpoint Pen cylindrical for large Desk.
Ballpoint Pen in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24carats.
Ballpoint Pen with translucent fired enamels on guilloché Modern Contemporar...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Art Deco Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Mid-Century Modernist Sterling Silver Bar Knife signed Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and minimal Mid-Century Modernist Sterling Silver Bar Knife signed Tiffany & Co. originates from the United States, Circa 1960. This highly functional piece features a b...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Old Master Towle by Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 32 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
This graceful pattern designed by master silversmith Harold E. Nock is styled in the Old Victorian tradition, with refined lines and a restrained decoration popular in the early Victorian era. Introduced in 1942, it features a distinctive violin-shaped handle, a crown of curling leaves, a center rosette with tapering tendrils, and scrolls and flutes along the handle. The classic design is exceptionally versatile, suiting many styles of décor and any dining occasion from family meals to holiday celebrations.
OLD MASTER BY TOWLE sterling silver 32 piece Flatware set...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Egon Lauridsen ELA Denmark Gilt Sterling Enamel Demitasse Spoons Boxed Set of 6
Located in Stockholm, SE
Boxed set of 6 Egon Lauridsen (ELa Denmark) gilded silver & enamel demitasse spoons manufactured in Copenhagen between 1936-1966. These stunning gilt sterling silver coffee spoons ar...
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Perfume holder manual engraving peach blossom shoots Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Cylindrical handbag perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated with screwed cap and fine manual engraving of peach blossom shoots, fire enamelled with various colours, in...
Category
1970s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Art-Nouveau Dutch Silver Small Basket by Cornelis van Baaren, 1899
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch Silver small basket by Cornelis van Baaren, 1899
An Art-Nouveau silver basket with a motif of swans with water lilies
Dutch Hall marks,
Lion 2, 835/1000
Master sign of ...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chantilly by Gorham Sterling Silver Dinner Flatware Set For 8 Service 40 Pieces
By Gorham
Located in Big Bend, WI
Finely crafted with the graceful elegance associated with 18th Century France, this stately pattern was first introduced in 1895. The intricate design is embellished with a cascade o...
Category
20th Century Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche vertical stripes Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, with “paillons” in pure gold on the upper circle, fine fired enamelled miniature with hand-painted floral ...
Category
1960s Italian Napoleon III Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sterling Silver Kirk Repose Serving Pieces / 7 Pieces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
5.25 x 1 x 2 ( x2) flora spoons
6.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 ladle
6 x 1.5 x 1.5 shell floral spoon large
2x 5.5 x 1 shell floral spoon median
1.5 x 3.5 x 1 shell floral spoon small
6.5 x 1...
Category
Early 20th Century American Other Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 3 Antique Victorian Silver Baskets / Comports London 1862
By George Fox
Located in London, GB
An Antique Victorian Suite of 3 Comports featuring an ornate pierced and chased design across the three pieces. The Set of Victorian Baskets features a tall centre Comport in a lens ...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Unusual Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Lidded 'with Lion Motif' Powder Jar
By Eastwood-Park Co.
Located in New York, NY
Unusual, Art Nouveau, sterling silver-lidded, cut crystal powder jar, Eastwood-Park Co., Jew Jersey, circa 1909-1915. The lid has a motif of two lions rampant holding a central carto...
Category
1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Late 17th Century German Silver Beaker
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Maker's mark unidentified, Nürnber...
Category
1690s German Baroque Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
American Brilliant Cut Glass, Sterling & Turquoise Dresser Jar, by Whiting
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Brilliant Cut Glass, Sterling & Turquoise Dresser Jar, by Whiting
USA, circa 1900s, by Frank M. Whiting Silver Company
A beautiful American Brilliant Cut Glass Sterling Dresser Jar...
Category
Early 20th Century American Belle Époque Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Old Master by Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set For 12 Service 79 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Old Master brings together the finest in traditional Early Victorian design motifs with skillful artistry. The crown of leaves, the center rosette, scrollwork, flutes and the violin-...
Category
1940s Early Victorian Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Silver Cup, European Rococo Decorative Bowl Cup & Lid Sugar Bowl
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver cup or Decorative nu or fruit cup gilded inside with lid, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, height ...
Category
1910s Swedish Rococo Revival Vintage Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$710 Sale Price
46% Off
Pair Of Antique Silver Salts
Located in Ipswich, GB
Pair of early 20th Century antique silver salts having a pie crust edge and standing on 3 shaped legs. The spoons circular with a ball to the end. It is in its original case (wear an...
Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$492 / set
Victorian Sterling Silver Baby Rattle / Whistle - George Unite
By George Unite
Located in Bath, GB
A charming example of a sterling silver baby rattle complete with working whistle and an iridescent Mother of Pearl teething ring.
The rattle has four bells and everything in great condition, these make the most wonderful heirloom gifts for the new little one in the family. This one is hallmarked for Birmingham 1887, making this a true Victorian example. The back of the whistle is where the makers initials can be found, GU, for the highly collectible silversmith, George Unite.
4" in length including Nacre...
Category
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Sterling Silver
Materials
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.