Dear Reni,

Hi!

I have started collecting pieces with silver overlay designed on them. A few years back (about 5 yrs.) there was an exhibit of a private antique collection in a museum in the Midwest somewhere and Victoria Magazine an article about 2 years ago. I know some history of this craft as I spoke to several sources over the years. These items can be had from almost any antique show, and they get very expensive the older they are, based on the amount of quality of silver. This craft goes back to late 18th century when it was a custom order, but popularized in the 19th century as more artisans and companies developed the formula "epoxy" to hold the silver etc...items were being made in Europe as well. This is where the distinction com in; to collect American silver overlay or European. Eventually, this craft died out around the late 1920's. Later on other companies were producing items, but a far more inferior quality, such as the "Anniversary" pieces that can be had today. I collect the turn of the century "Heisey" style and into the early 20's.

My dilemma is this; there is a book based on the museum exhibit, and I have searched high and low, all over to get this book-even ebay. None available and out of print. The author and book is: Sumptuous Surrounds, Silver Overlay on Glass and Ceramics, by Jane E. Stokes.

Do you know of any other sources to find this book and/or of any other printed on this subject?

Thank you,


P.

Hi P,

Silver overlay is a wonderful technique. When applied to beautiful art glass or high glazed ceramics, the artist had to have knowledge of more than one craft.

The best example of silver overlay that I've seen, came into our store a couple of years ago. It was an inkwell made in China during the export period (19th century). Wrapped around the hand blown glass well, was a thick silver dragon with his tail curled on to the lid.

YouÕre right, the "Anniversary" type pieces from the mid-20th century look inferior.

They were made by a different process called "silver deposit", more suited for mass production.

Books dealing with ceramics, art pottery and art glass, from the Art Nouveau and Arts and Craft movements, will help your research as much as books written just on silver. Two sources for good reference material are:

The Reference Rack (www.referencerack.com)

Good luck!

Reni


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Dear Reni,

I have had an item in my possession for quite some time, but do not know much about it, any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. The item is a silver or silver plate cruet/condiment set. The set is very ornate, as you will see from the three attached photos, and stands 17 inches high. Each of the bottles are etched with a leaf and berry design. They also have a thumb print pattern indentation around the lip where they set into the silver.

The identifying mark, which is stamped into the silver reads "Meriden B Company" with the company symbol within a circle. The number on the bottom of the stand is 2099. I have tried researching the ŌMeriden B C date when the piece may have been made, and/or an approximate value. One of the unique features of the set is that the plate holding the bottles spins. Again, I would greatly appreciate any assistance you may be able to give in finding out more about the item.


N

Dear N,

Cufflinks were all the "rage" from the late 19th century through the first half of the 20th century.
Your silver plate revolving condiment stand appears to be in wonderful condition. It's become rare to find a set with all the original bottles and stoppers intact.

The "Meriden Brittannia Company" was organized in 1852, by more than a few independent manufacturers in the area of Meriden Connecticut. Their purpose was to produce quality and quantity in brittania (a silver-white alloy close to pewter) and plated silver holloware. You can read more about Meriden and it's manufacturers in the Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers 4th Ed., by Dorothy T. Rainwater and Judy Redfield, Schiffer Publishing Co. 1998. The "Meriden B. Company" became incorporated into the International Silver Company in 1898, but still used it's various company marks into the 1930's.

Your condiment stand probably dates somewhere between the 1880's through the turn of the century. They were most popular at that time.

Condiment stands in sterling or with fancy colored glass run higher in values, but the etched designs on your bottles lend them interest. I would place a retail value, in my area, of $250.00.

Reni


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Dear Reni,

My family has a bowl that has been passed down for so long no one knows how old it is. It was silver plated but, now the silver has worn off. My question is, would the value of the bowl as an antique be decreased in any way if we had it re-silvered?

Thank you,


T.A.

Dear T.A.,


Most silver plate bowls even from a hundred years ago, don't have hugh values. They are collectible when they have great designs, with Victorian motifs, and the plate is in original condition. Although some people like the dark base metal look, it probably wouldnÕt hurt the value much to replate the piece.

It's a judgment call. In our store, we usually have to replate an item to be able to sell it.

Thanks for the question.

Reni


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Dear Reni,

My father recently gave me a few silver pieces. One of which was a Tiffany & Co. cup. It has the following on the bottom: 4567M 9278 STERLING SILVER. I was looking for an age or rough value. I also have an International Silver Co. dish with 3 legs. It has a crown with IS in the center and "Countess" above it, and a Gorham Silver bowl with Gorham

ER YC781 on the bottom. I donÕt have pictures just yet to send you. I'm sure pictures would help greatly. I was hoping the serial numbers may help you. They are beautiful pieces and I would love to have a little age/history behind them. They are from my grandmother's estate. We have little information on the pieces. If you need pictures, I will provide them.

Thank you for any information you can offer.


N

Dear N,

Tiffany & Company, International Silver and Gorham were all wonderful American Companies. The meanings behind the number codes vary from company to company. Tiffany's has an archivist that may help. The "M" probably stands for the current president at the time the cup was made. The word "Countees" on your International Silver Co. bowl refers to the pattern. If it does not say sterling, it probably is silver plate. The same holds true on the Gorham bowl. Look again at the letters "ER" and see if they are really "EP" which stands for electroplate.

I can not give a rough value without seeing the pieces. To further research the companies, check out: The Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, revised 4th Ed. Dorothy Rainwater and Judy Redfield, Schiffer, 1998.

Reni


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SPECIAL NOTE:

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ALL ARE VERY SIMILAR AND ARE BEING ANSWERED AT THE END.


Reni,

My mother in law recently picked up two silver plated items.

1. a small pitcher (creamer) very ornate and heavy. It is labeled Lund and Blockey Bombay and London. I was wondering if you could tell us something about the company.

The second piece is labeled Meriden Silver plate Co. Quadruple plate 1437.

I have discovered Meriden is a town in Conn. Otherwise known as the "silver city", but it seems all I can read about Meriden is information on breweries. It seems the beer won over the silver.

Any information would be fun.

Thanks,


E



Hi,

I have a silver rotating dome covered butter dish, with a silver liner and either a fork or knife holder in front. The top swivels like a roll top. it's very beautiful. It is marked Meriden and it has a date of 186? I cannot read the last number. How can I find out if this is really a butter dish and also if it has any value?

J.F.



Good Afternoon,

I have what I believe is a cigarette box with the following markings. Can you tell me if this is a valuable piece or not?

It reads: Harbour S.P. Co. International S. Co. 3284. It is lined with a cedar (?) wood, measures 10-1/2 inches long by 4 inches wide. It is engraved with all sorts of figures and objects on top and all four sides. It appears to be a jolly group when you note all the action.

I'll appreciate anything you can tell me about this piece.

Thank you,


D.D.



Reni,

I recently found a small silver bowl. it is marked on the bottom: I S International S. Co., E.P.-N.S. silver soldered R020 5 OZ 49.

I am hoping you can help me determine how old it might be and if it is of any value.

Thanks,

D.



Dear Reni, While digging in our yard, my husband came across an old silver cup. It has Forbes Silver Co. stamped on the bottom. The word quadruple and the number 37 are also stamped on the bottom. It has flowers engraved on the front, and the handle is heavy with leaves fashioned on it. Do you have any information or know where we can get information on this cup?

Thanks for any information you can give us.

P & D R

Dear Readers,

All of you have pieces of American silver plate from the Meriden, Conn. area.

Although silver plate usually doesn' command high values that sterling does, you may want to research the company histories through:

The Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers
Revised 4th Ed.
Dorothy T. Rainwater & Judy Redfield
Schiffer, 1998

Reni


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