Silver
We showcase silver in our Fine & Classic sales, held four times a year, and provide free, no-obligation valuations to help you understand your item's market worth. Our sales include hallmarked Georgian sterling, Old Sheffield Plate and 20th-century designer pieces by Georg Jensen.
Silver at auction is bought both for its investment value and its aesthetic value. Items range from antique silver to hallmarked sterling pieces.
Silver-coating base metal has been attempted since antiquity, but a reliable bond was hard to achieve.
Thomas Boulsover of Sheffield invented a process for fusing silver to copper in the mid-18th century. The technique later became known as Old Sheffield Plate, once electro-plating took over.
A note on terminology: EPNS, or electroplated nickel silver, contains no elemental silver. The word "silver" in EPNS describes its appearance, not its composition.
Department specialists
What's selling well
A snapshot of what's attracting strong interest in our recent Silver sales.
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A William & Mary/William III silver nutmeg grater
A William & Mary/William III silver nutmeg grater, circa 1690-1700, cylindrical, the lid with engraved floral and tulip detailing, sponsor's mark EB, gross weight 1.27ozt.
Sold for: £550
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Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co. Rare Arts & Crafts "Cymric" Silver and Enamel Vase
No. 2025, the body with repeated repousse Celtic motifs above shaped panels against mottled blue and green enamels, the circular base set with three further outset repousse motifs with enamel detail, hallmarked for…
Sold for: £5,200
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An Elizabeth II silver salver
An Elizabeth II silver salver, Walker & Hall, Sheffield, 1959, diameter 31cm, gross weight 30.02ozt.
Sold for: £440
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A George III silver gilt vinaigrette
A George III silver gilt vinaigrette, with 'L'Amitie' to front and foliate border, Samuel Pemberton, Birmingham, 1817, 4 x 3cm, gross weight 0.74ozt.
Sold for: £340
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A George V silver kettle on stand
A George V silver kettle on stand, Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd., London, 1914, gross weight 48.57ozt.
Sold for: £620
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An Elizabeth II 97 piece canteen of silver and silver handled 'King's pattern' cutlery
An Elizabeth II 97 piece canteen of silver and silver handled 'King's pattern' cutlery, comprising eight silver dinner forks, eight silver fish forks, four silver table spoons, eight silver dessert forks, eight silver…
Sold for: £1,400
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Late Victorian and 20th century part canteen of fiddle pattern silver flatware
A late Victorian and 20th century part canteen of fiddle pattern silver flatware, comprising 88 table and dessert forks, 79 table, dessert and soup spoons, and 44 teaspoons, 4 soup ladels, 1 large ladel, 1 large serving…
Sold for: £4,600
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A solid silver model of a horse
A solid silver model of a horse, hallmarks for Albert Edward Jones, Birmingham, 1997, length 14cm, height 11.8cm, gross weight 13.22ozt.
Sold for: £400
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A George IV silver hot water jug
With classical friezes and ivy detailing, WE, possibly William Eaton, London, 1830, height 29cm, gross weight 36.25ozt. Cites Exemption Submission Reference. N1NW2HG7
Sold for: £1,300
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A silver gilt and enamel 'surprise egg' by Stuart Devlin
A silver gilt and enamel 'surprise egg' by Stuart Devlin, the textured silver gilt egg opening to reveal a frog and lily pad, hallmarks for Stuart Devlin, London, 1972, numbered 95, height 8cm, gross weight 3.66ozt…
Sold for: £260
Silver FAQs
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Get your silver valued by our experts
From a single piece to a whole collection, our specialists value your items, place them in the right sale and guide you through to payment.
