For centuries, domestic silver has indicated the wealth of a family. It is only since around 1850, when the electroplating process was developed, that flatware and hollowware have been priced within the budget of the average family. But 19th century plated silver, as well as vintage US and Federal silver pieces, are as good as money in the bank today.
The history of American silver parallels the social development of the country. The first silver used by settlers in New England was simple and useful, but as the country grew and prospered, the demand for more and better pieces increased. At the time of the Revolution, wealthy colonists lived as elegantly as their contemporaries in England, and after we became a nation, the work of American silversmiths reached great heights, continuing into the first quarter of the 19th century.
Silversmiths found plenty of work to keep themselves busy at their craft during colonial times. Their handiwork was not seen in the average home, where similar items were made from brass, iron, copper, pewter, or wood. However, for those lucky enough to accumulate silver coins, the silversmith also served as a kind of banker and insurance agent. He melted down the coins, made household items out of them, and identified these pieces with the owner’s monogram, shield, or coat of arms. Usually the silversmith’s mark was also stamped somewhere. Today, knives, forks, and spoons are the first cutlery most families invest in, but in colonial times it was mugs, beakers, pitchers, candle holders, and other useful household items. Covered cups, inkwells and candle snuffers, gravy boats, salt pans, sugar boxes, creamers, bowls, teapots and kettles were other likely pieces.
In the 1890s, each member of a family had their own napkin holder made of sterling silver or silver plated. These were almost always identified with an initial or monogram, usually set within a garland or scroll. If the napkin ring had been a gift on a birthday or some other special occasion, the date was often added, usually in written letters. Around the same time that napkin rings became a polite necessity, it became customary to gift engraved mugs or cups with handles to newborn babies.
The primitive goldsmith learned his trade in every detail. He melted down silver coins, rolled the resulting silver mass into a flat piece, and then raised it with his hammers into a beautiful shape. If he didn’t do all the work himself, he had a worker on hand whom he had trained to do at least part of the process for him. But the master craftsman required that the finished product be of such quality that he could be proud to put his stamp on each piece, be it his initials or his name. He stayed behind on every item that came out of his store. Silver making was highly specialized.
But silver in its pure form was too soft to cast on its own, so it had to be alloyed with a base metal to harden it. The most compatible base metal choice was copper. Craftsman in Easterling, England, found that 75 parts of copper to 1,000 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 into a piece of silver, it guarantees that the silver is .925 fine. The silversmith was an important member of the community. He went to his shop where the prosperous man took his coins and had them melted down into household items: spoons, jugs and porridge. After melting down the coins, the silversmith refined the metal and poured it into a pan to form a flat block of silver. The block was hammered to the desired thickness and worked into whatever item the pattern ordered.
Today, most silver is machine-made, but much of it copies the good designs of the past. There are some artisans who still make silver by hand, but the labor costs are so high that it is not profitable for mass distribution. But what about old silver reproductions? There is certainly good reproduction silver on the market. The best is faithfully copied from well-known antique pieces by important early creators. Some reproductions bear the name of the modern manufacturer and the name of the silversmith from whose work the design is copied. There are some excellent copies of bowls, jugs, and kettles made by Paul Revere, who, when he wasn’t out walking at night, was considered one of the best silversmiths in colonial New England. In addition to having really old pieces made by early craftsmen, an honest copy in high-quality silver is desirable.
There are plenty of catalogs and internet websites that represent pleasing designs and patterns that have stood the test of time. The plain thread pattern, shell design, and unadorned designs of the late 18th century can be purchased today. Few fancy patterns stay in vogue for long, and after a few years it’s often impossible to add pieces to a fancy ensemble. Simple patterns, however, seem to last through the years.
Today, some antique silver dealers have added excellent copies of antique pieces to their stock. These copies are marked as such and are for those who prefer old silver but don’t want to pay the price for it. These prints make excellent wedding and christening gifts, and their quality is so high that they become heirlooms of the future. The Internet makes it easy to find money in all categories. So if you’re trying to build your own collection or want to give a gift that will last a lifetime, you should consider silver.