How to Recognize Aesthetic Era Antique Silver Plate

The Aesthetic Era of Antique Silver Plate produced some of the most beautiful silver objects ever made. These pieces are highly prized by collectors of both Sterling and Silver Plate. As a successful seller of silver on eBay, let me show you how to recognize a fine piece of Antique Silver Plate when you see one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jeweler's Loupe or
• Magnifying Glass
• Piece of Silver Polishing Cloth

1. 
   Antique Silver Plate - Aesthetic Era

   IDENTIFY THE ERA - The Aesthetic Era of Silver Plate runs roughly from the mid-1800's to the turn of the century. Japan had opened up to the West and the Oriental influence became the rage in decorative objects. Here are some characteristics to look for to identify genuine Aesthetic Era Silver Plate.

2. 
   Antique Silver Plate - Figural Napkin Ring

   LOOK FOR FIGURAL SILVER - The most highly prized pieces of Aesthetic Era Silver Plate will have figures on them. These are basically minature statues that grace the silver objects. Some have glass eyes, some are partially gilded. All are exquisitely crafted, showing details like the individual hairs of a dog, the shafts of a bird's feathers, the veins in a leaf, etc... Modern era reproductions usually don't have this fine detail and are more crudely made.

3. 
   Antique Silver Plate - Satin Finish

   LOOK FOR A SATIN FINISH - Many Antique Silver Plate pieces from the Aesthetic Era have what is called a "SATIN" finish. The silver has a soft, textured appearance. Usually, the decoration is in shiny, bright silver, and cut-engraving that really "pops" out against the satiny surfaces.

4. 
   Antique Silver Plate - Bird

   FIND NATURALISTIC THEMES - Antique Silver Plate from this era is dominated by themes from nature. Birds, animals, insects and plants are beautifully rendered in silver. Sometimes in repousse' (embossed designs), sometimes in cut-engraving, sometimes applied silver decorations.

5. 
   Antique Silver Plate - Tall Legs

   SEARCH FOR TALL LEGS - Many makers of antique silver plate favored lifting their pieces up on tall, decorative legs. Many times, the legs are figural, bearing the heads of lions, Greek gods, or maidens. This gave them an imposing and grand appearance.

6. 
   Antique Silver Plate - Quadruple Plate

   HUNT FOR QUADRUPLE PLATE - Antique Silver Plate from this era is most commonly marked with the words, QUADRUPLE PLATE. This means there are four layers of silver plate on the piece. Triple Plate is sometimes seen as well. This term was not used after about 1900. If you have a piece that says QUADRUPLE PLATE, you know it is very old.

7. 
   Antique Silver Plate - Meriden B. Company

   KNOW THE AESTHETIC ERA MAKERS - Names to look out for in collectible antique silver plate are MERIDEN B COMPANY, JAMES TUFTS, WILCOX, DERBY, REED & BARTON, GORHAM, to name the best. These companies thrived from about the mid-1800's up until 1898. The silver industry was booming and demand was so high, that most of the companies banded together to form one large company, INTERNATIONAL SILVER CO, whose name we recognize today. After 1898, you will find some pieces with both names on it, the earlier company AND International Silver, or just IS. After 1900, most of the former names ceased to be used.

Tips & Warnings

• Antique Silver Plate that has lost it's silver will have a DULL appearance.
• If it has been replated, the details will be lost by silver pooling in the crevices, and will sometimes be flakey.
• It may be black with tarnish, but if it still has a SHEEN to it, the silver is still there.

Resources

• Reading English Sterling Hallmarks
• Sell Antique Silver Holloware on eBay

[Malzeke]

on 1/23/2009 Excellent info. Thanks!