Vocabulary of Silver

Sterling Silver - an alloy, containing 925 parts pure silver and 75 parts copper.

Britannia Standard - the legal standard for all silver pieces produced between 1697 and 1720. It contained 958 parts pure silver - 33% more silver than sterling.

Martele Silver - Gorham Silver Company from 1899 to 1912 - it was 950 out of 1000 parts silver.

Assay - a test of the silver content in a piece to be sure it meets sterling standard.

Sheffield Plate - a cheaper substitute for sterling, produced by fusing sheets of silver to the top and bottom of a sheet of copper or base metal. This "silver sandwich" was then worked into finished pieces. At first it was only put on one side and later was on top and bottom.

Electroplate - the name given to articles coated with pure silver by electrolysis (electrical currents passed through a plating bath which deposit silver on the base metal). Today we call this type silverplate and pieces frequently bear the stamp EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver) and EPBM (Electroplated Britannia Metal).

Engraving - designs cut by use of sharp tools called scorpers or gravers which remove small amounts of metal.

Chasing - produces designs similar to engraving, but with a softer look. No metal is removed. Instead, lines are slightly depressed into the surface.

Repousse - the process of embossing metal from the back by hammering, then giving further definition to the relief by chasing up from the front.

Cut-Card - a decorative technique similar to applique work in sewing. Thin sheets of silver are cut into patterns which are then applied as ornamentation.

Patina - that special soft sheen, color and feel which only years of loving use can give to silver.

Troy Weight - the unit of weight employed by silversmiths. One pound Troy comprises 12 ounces of 20 pennyweights (dwts.) each. A troy ounce is equivalent to 1.097 ounces avoirdupois, or 31.1 grams.

Hallmarks - marks stamped into a piece to guarantee the sterling standard, maker, date, and city of origin.

Vermeil - silver which has been gilded with gold.

Coin Silver - made of coins. Premium, Dollar, Standard, Pure Coin or the letter C or D are all American terms, but some Irish makers used them as well. Some silversmiths only used their name.

Paktong - In the 18th Century paktong (alloy of nickel, zinc and copper) was imported into England from China and used in imitation of silver. Craftsmen used paktong to fashion objects such as chafing dishes, inkstands, sugar tongs, wine coasters and candlesticks.

Fer ŕules - Iron ring on a staff - Pearl handle with flatware with silver bands

 

 

Types of Silver

Flatware is used to describe cutlery and eating and serving pieces. Romans were familiar with spoons, but Italians invented the two-tine fork in 1660 and the three-tine fork in 1717. This was a great improvement over eating one’s meal from the blade of a pointed knife. Most serving spoons were wood. When one would invite guests to their home for a meal, the guest brought their own eating utensils.

Hollowware comprises vessels and serving wares like bowls, vases, trays, tea services, and baskets that were designed mainly for the dining table. Epergnes were silver lighting devices such as candlesticks, candelabra and lamps. However, these are also classified as holloware.

Presentation Silver is commemorative silver like the Super Bowl Trophy or America’s Cup. Silver has always been the medium of choice for commemorating important events. Through history we have seen a variety such as silver-topped walking sticks, swords and trophies

Collectibles. From perfume funnels to dresser sets to jewelry artistically wrought, silver makes any perfectly common object grander and more beautiful than if it had been made of a lesser material.