Silver Plate was originally invented by Thomas Boulsover in 1743. Known as Sheffield Plate his technique fused a thin sheet of Silver to a Copper body and proved a cost-effective solution for those unable to afford solid Silver. Because the approach comprised of thin sheets of Silver the best way to spot genuine antique Sheffield Plate today is to look for the joins between the sheets (often showing up the copper underneath). Sheffield Plate would prove particularly suited to simple flatware and pierced work. During the 1830s the Elkington Brothers perfected a new approach using an electric current and a silver solution called electroplating. This simple method quickly superseded Sheffield Plate and remains the most common method used today. It also moved away from using copper as the base metal to Nickel Silver leading to the infamous marks EPNS (Electro-Plated Nickel Silver).

Each of the two approaches have their benefits and while Sheffield Plate was harder wearing (so better for high use items), EPNS gives a more brilliant finish since it is derived from pure Silver. Electroplating is also very good for plating more ornate items, so the Victorian love for overly ornate Silver-Plated objects was hardly surprising.

While Silver Plate does not have the cache or price of solid Silver there are still real benefits. During the 18^th and 19^th Centuries Silver Plated objects were not as expensive as solid Silver, but they were not cheap either. Instead, people recognised that Plated items could mix the strength of the underlying metal with the brilliant shine of Silver. Today there is a growing appreciation for antique silver plate with many actively choosing it over other forms. A selection of antique or vintage silver plate is a great way to finish off any table with just the right amount of elegance yet easy to maintain. At LoveAntiques you will find an unrivalled selection of antique and vintage Silver Plate for all your needs.

Silver Plated Antiques

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Silver Plated Antiques

Silver Plated Antiques