A silver teapot by Eleazar Baker, crafted in Connecticut, 1785-1800.
Considered both a craft and an art,silversmithscreated pieces ranging from simple spoons to enormous decorative platters.
Throughout much of American history, displaying silver in one’s home was a sign of wealth and status.
A silver teapot by Eleazar Baker, crafted in Connecticut, 1785-1800. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery[Public domain])
Silverware retained value for resale, and antique silverware can still fetch high prices.
Read on to explore the history of this precious material’s artistic use and purpose.
A silversmith’s scales and weights, 18th century.
A silversmith’s scales and weights, 18th century. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery[Public domain])
They left the restrictive guilds of Europe behind, which had long limited who could practice the trade.
In the English colonies, many silversmiths also practiced as blacksmiths, goldsmiths, jewelers, and evendentists.
These careers had overlapping tools and skill sets.
A silver tea urn inlaid with ivory by Paul Revere, 1791. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[CC0 1.0])
A silver tea urn inlaid with ivory by Paul Revere, 1791.
Its fluted design demonstrates the early stages of neoclassical influence on American silver.
The U.S. Mint set silver quantities.
Portrait of Paul Revere by John Singleton Copley, c. 1768-1770. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public domain])
In 1792, thestandardwas set to 89.2% silver.
Pieces from this date, until 1837, are known ascoin silverware.
A purer version of silver, known assterling silver, always maintained the 92.5% of British tradition.
This silver teapot by Paul Revere was crafted in 1795. Its fluted design demonstrates the early stages of neoclassical influence on American silver. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery[Public domain])
Such regulation was important in the growing consumer market of the new Republic.
A neoclassical silver urn by Fletcher and Gardiner, 1830.
In this period, the famous jewelry houseTiffany & Co.was founded by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
A neoclassical silver urn by Fletcher and Gardiner, 1830. Modeled after an amphora and topped with the god Neptune, this piece was commissioned as a gift honoring the completion of a canal. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery[Public domain])
The Navajo previously obtained their silver goods from skilled Mexican smiths.
After the Civil War, American silverware remained ornate with elaborate designs.
A Martele silver table with Art Nouveau motifs.
This Rococo revival Tiffany & Co. pitcher was created by William Gale and Son between 1862 and 1867, but sold through Tiffany & Co. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery[Public domain])
Consumers could also purchase the set from Wilcox Silver Plate Company.
Designers such asRobert J. KingandRobert Ebendorfproduced silverware alongside intricate silver jewelry.
A three piece sterling silver coffee service in the iconic Contour pattern, designed by Robert J.
A Martelé silver table with Art Nouveau motifs. Martelé was a special line of extra-pure silver products produced around the turn of the century by Gorham Manufacturing Company. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public domain])
King and John Van Koert, manufactured b y Towle Manufacturing Company, 1951-1953.
One can still purchase new silverware from legendary producers such as Tiffany & Co.
However the allure of antique American silverfrom colonial to mid-century moderndraws many collectors.
A modern silver tea or coffee service designed by Paul A. Lobel, and produced by Wilcox Silver Plate Company, 1934. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery[Public domain])
Antique markets shift with the economy, and the preferences of buyers change over generations.
The history of American silver offers a fountain of variety to pique diverse interests.
A three piece sterling silver coffee service in the iconic “Contour” pattern, designed by Robert J. King and John Van Koert, manufactured b y Towle Manufacturing Company, 1951-1953. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery[Public domain])
