Silver has been with us for thousands of years and was one of the first five metals to have ever been discovered. Silver objects have been found dating back as far as 4000 BC. An interesting fact is that silver was the first metal to be used as currency in ancient Egypt, where its value was higher than gold.

Silver is one of our most precious and beautiful metals but due to its soft and pliable properties it cannot solely be used to make jewellery etc. as an alloy metal must be added to give it strength and shape. That is the reason you will see a hallmark on all sterling silver pieces of 925 meaning 75 parts of 1000 is a metal alloy. There are 5 standard marks found on British silver:

  • The walking lion for all sterling silver made in England
  • The standing lion for all sterling silver made in Glasgow
  • The thistle for all sterling silver made in Edinburgh
  • The crowned harp for all sterling silver made in Dublin
  • Brittania for Brittania standard silver

Be sure to look out for these identifying marks to find where your silver items were made. You will also see on the hallmark the city where they were assayed. The city is always marked as a cipher such as an anchor for Birmingham or a crown for Sheffield and there are many others, even ones for assay offices that have long been closed which are understandably becoming more sought after. Other marks on the hallmark include a date letter and a maker’s mark. It can be fun researching the history of your silver items.

Silver is always an acceptable gift, especially one of the many beautiful items that are available today from our vast array in store. We have exquisite Georgian milk jugs and silver trinket boxes and beautiful tableware ranging from teaspoons to tea sets. We are also proud of the quality of our range of silver jewellery, chains, pendants, rings and bracelets all offered for sale at a price to suit every pocket.

Pop into the store and view what we have on offer on our two floors of antiques and collectables, you’re sure to find the perfect piece!

View Silver in our Shop..

Antique small glass bottle from Boots Pure Drug Company. Small octagonal bottle with sterling silver top which has full hallmark for Birmingham assay c1915. Some contents included - believed to be smelling salts. The top has a few dints which has not affected the visibility of the hallmark. Lovely historic piece from a company still with us today! Main photo of bottle shown from a near eye level angle with some of the contents of old smelling salts visible.
Antique sterling silver pepperette in the form of a milk churn. Chester assayed and made by Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings c1911. Full hallmark to side of churn and short hallmark to inside rim of gilt silver top. Measures 24mm in diameter at base, 26mm across the churn handles and 18mm at the top. Main photo of churn shown from an eye level with top in place, handles to the left and right and hallmark visible.
Antique creamer in sterling silver. Small creamer in a very classical Art Nouveau design. Full hallmark to the side for Birmingham assay and made by A & J Zimmerman Ltd c1902. Main photo of jug seen from an eye level side angle with spout to the left, handle to the right.
Antique sterling silver desk top thermometer paperweight. c1909 mercury filled desktop Fahrenheit thermometer with brass face within a sterling silver frame. Some dinks to the silver frame especially around the top. Hallmark to outer rim of frame for Birmingham assay and made by Henry Clifford Davis. Measures 82mm in diameter at base, 67mm at top and thermometer face measures 55mm. Main photo showing the thermometer paperweight in its entirety.
A modern sterling silver filled candlestick. Nice solid and weighty candlestick fully hallmarked around the base for Sheffield assay c2000 and made by Carr's. Also useful as a trinket dish (but mind your fingers!) The top dish is removable for cleaning by unscrewing the spike. Measures 117mm in diameter at base and 100mm at top. Main photo of candlestick seen from a slightly raised eye level to show the spike to the centre of the top dish and 3 out of 4 of the hallmarks visible on the lower half.