Antique Silver Cutlery

Silver cutlery is sophisticated, it is stylish, timeless and adds an air of elegance to any dinner party. The value of antique silver cutlery is determined with regard to condition, origin, design, craftsmanship and rarity. There is a large choice of styles when it comes to silver cutlery, from simplistic to flamboyant. 

History of Silver Cutlery

Cutlery was originally made from stone, bone and flint, before evolving over the ages to materials such as silver. Knives and forks became commonplace when it came to dining in the 16th C, since then, and more so since the 18th C, silver cutlery has been considered the highest standard of cutlery when it comes to one’s dining experience. Silverware is sometimes also referred to as flatware, it became commonplace by the early 18th C for the upper classes to have silver cutlery sets, it was the given standard among the wealthy for a dinning experience.

Types of Antique Silver Cutlery

The condition of the antique silver cutlery is of importance, hallmarks can determine if the cutlery is authentic silver. The British hallmark used widely after 1720 was the lion Passat. From 1697-1720 Britannia silver was made, this contained 95.84% silver, it was softer than sterling silver but of higher silver content.

Georgian silver cutlery made between 1695 and 1727 was often plain and durable, its main focus being functionality and usability. Georgian silver from 1727 to 1760 became very ornate, with scroll and shell patterns. After 1760, and to 1830 Georgian silver cutlery was more elegant, with feathered details, antique silver cutlery from this period looked very graceful.

From 1830 onwards, Victorian cutlery was very intricate, with lots of detailing, it was fancy and decorative, whereas the early 20th C saw a move towards more functional cutlery. Not as elaborate as Victorian cutlery, nevertheless there are some lovely Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau cutlery to choose from. After World War II silver cutlery sets became more plain and simple, but post 1950’s they tended to become more opulent again.

There are differing hallmarks on antique silver cutlery, which determines their place of manufacture, these include London: the leopards head, Birmingham: the anchor, Sheffield: the crown, Edinburgh: the castle, and Norwich: a castle over a lion Passat, this particular hallmark is extremely rare and valuable. The hallmark on the antique silver cutlery is a very useful way of determining the value of the antique pieces.

A nice collectable is antique silver children’s cutlery, although more of a limited category in terms of breath and variety of pieces of cutlery, it is possible to pick up some lovely forks, knives, dessert and soup spoons depicting characters or scenes on the handle of the cutlery. Small and creative children’s cutlery is often passed down through the ages.

When silver cutlery was at its optimum popularity over one-hundred pieces could be used in one single sitting, although a usual place setting would have five to seven items of silver cutlery, including a silver table fork, knife, soup spoon, dessert spoon, silver knife and fork and teaspoon.

It is possible to pick up complete antique silver sets, these are sometimes called canteens, and are sold in their boxes, rolls or loose.  A full canteen has enough silver cutlery for twelve people, a half-canteen six people and a double canteen enough for 24 people. Antique silver cutlery is timeless; there are many beautiful designs, be it as part of a set or individual pieces.  Even if not purchased for their original purpose, antique silver cutlery looks just charming on show in a display cabinet.