Bookmark the Antique Web in your Favorites File for easy reference
But silver in its pure form was too soft to fashion alone so it had to be alloyed with a base metal in order to harden it. The choice for the most compatible base metal was copper. Craftsman in Easterling, England discovered that 75 parts copper to 1000 parts of total weight produced the following ideal qualities: strength, malleability and depth of color. After 1860, the word "sterling" (short for Easterling) came into use. When stamped on a piece of silver, it guarantees that the silver is .925 fine. The silversmith was an important member of the community. It was to his shop that the prosperous man took his coins and had them melted down and fashioned into household articles-spoons, tankards, and porringers. After melting the coins, the silversmith refined the metal, and poured it into a skillet to form a flat block of silver. The block was hammered out to the desired thickness and worked into whatever article the patron ordered. Today most silver is made by machine but much of it copies the good designs of the past. There are some craftsmen who still fashion silver by hand, but labor costs are so high that it’s not cost effective for mass distribution. But what about reproductions of old silver? Certainly there is good reproduction silver on the market. The best is faithfully copied from known old pieces by important early makers. Some reproductions bear the name of the modern maker and the name of the silversmith from whose work the design is copied. There are some excellent copies of bowls, pitchers, and teapots from those made by Paul Revere who, when not making midnight rides, was considered one of the finest silversmiths in Colonial New England. Next to having really old pieces made by early craftsmen, an honest copy in high quality silver is desirable. There are plenty of catalogues and internet websites picturing designs and pleasing patterns which have stood the test of time. The simple thread pattern, the shell design, and the unornamented designs of the late eighteenth century can be bought today. Few fancy patterns stay long in vogue and in after a few years it is often impossible to add pieces to a fancy set. Simple patterns, however, seem to last through the years. Today some dealers in antique silver have added fine copies of old pieces to their stock. These copies are marked as such and are for those who prefer old silver but do not want to pay the price for it. These copies make excellent gifts for weddings and christenings, and their quality is so high that they become heirlooms of the future. The internet makes it easy to find silver in all categories. So if you are trying to build your own collection or if you want to give a gift that will last a lifetime, you should consider silver. To find more about silver gifts, both new and antique, check out these sites: www.silverware.com, www.replacements.com, and www.silverwarehouse.com. Bill Tannebring is a journalist and copywriter located in Southern California. http://www.biltanmedia.xbuild.com
|
Online since 1999
|
Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their
respective owners. Use of this
Website constitutes acceptance of the AntiqueWeb.com Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
1997 2010 AntiqueWeb.com. Times Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved