4 Tips for Collecting Antique Silver

Collecting antique silverware is becoming more and more popular once again and can be a great investment. If you are just starting out buying antique silver, here are some important tips to make sure you buy the best pieces.

1. The difference between ‘real’ silver and plate

The most fundamental aspect of buying silver is knowing the difference between ‘solid’ silver and silver plate. Whilst ‘solid’ silver is made of, in most cases, 92.5% pure silver, plated silver has a base metal core, with only a thin layer of silver on the outside. Some silver-plated pieces look incredibly authentic, so it is important to know how to spot them to avoid any costly mistakes. In the UK, it is law that all solid silver articles are hallmarked to prove that they are made of sterling silver, which is 92.5% solid silver. On the other hand, silver-plated items will have various marks, but never the sterling mark. Common plate marks include ‘EPNS’,‘EPBM’, and ‘EP’.

2. Identify Hallmarks

By law, all silver in the UK will have a hallmark to prove it is made from sterling silver. Hallmarking began in the year 1300 and is Britain’s oldest example of quality control. The marks can be incredibly small so make sure to search well. If the piece is heavily tarnished, you may need to polish it first to identify where the hallmark is. In England, the sterling silver mark is a Lion Passant. There will also be a town mark, and a date letter. There are many pocketbooks where you can identify all this information, such as ‘Jackson’s Hallmarks’. There will also be a maker’s mark, which is usually made up of two and sometimes three initials. A great free online maker’s mark identification site can be found at www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk. Not all silverware will have a hallmark, especially if it is Continental. This does not mean it’s not valuable.

3. Know the Age and Style

A general rule is that the older the piece is, then the more valuable it is. This becomes very much more apparent once you get into the early 18th Century and before. More modern pieces have a better value if they can be linked to a style or famous maker. Here are some examples of styles:

Aesthetic Movement

Silverware dating from between 1860 and 1890. These usually have simple lines, nature motifs, hand engravings, and are heavily influenced by Asian culture and images.

Art Nouveau Movement

This period is popular with collectors, so a good time period to look for. This includes silverware made between 1890 and 1910. It often has more flowing lines, elaborate detail and floral patterns, as well as depictions of animals or women.

Art Deco Movement

Silverware made between 1915 and 1935 is from this movement. It will often feature more geometric shapes, repeated simple patterns, and simple lines.

4. Examine the Condition

The condition of the piece is crucial in evaluating the value. If you want to add a piece to your collection, make sure to take the condition into account, no matter how much you love the piece.

The great thing about silver is that many ‘issues’ can be dealt with- this can include removing dents, resoldering joins, and removing tarnish.

There will of course be a cost involved, which is always worth considering whilst deciding what price to pay. There are of course some problems which cannot ever be rectified, such as excess wear and splits.

Your Local Silverware Dealer in Newbury

If you live in the Berkshire area and want a reliable, honest silverware dealer, visit Edward Reis Silverware today. We have a wide selection of antique silverware and are happy to lend our expertise to any new silverware collector looking for something specific.