Is Sheffield silver solid silver?
Sheffield plate is a layered combination of silver and copper that was used for many years to produce a wide range of household articles. Almost every article made in sterling silver was also crafted by Sheffield makers, who used this manufacturing process to produce nearly identical wares at far less cost.
How is Sheffield plate made?
Sheffield Plating is a process whereby an ingot of copper is fused by heat with a thinner layer or sometimes a sandwich of silver. It then acts as a single entity that can be hammered or rolled into sheets and then formed into objects. Items made from this process are referred to as Old Sheffield Plate.
What does EP mean on silver spoons?
Many silver plated items bear the marks ‘EPNS’ that stand for Electro Plated Nickel Silver or ‘EP’ for Electro Plate.
What is the origin of Sheffield silver?
Origins of Sheffield Silver are in England and it became very widespread after Industrial Revolution in the XIX century. Italy gave its contribution to the development of this material thank to its master silversmiths become famous all over the world.
What is a Sheffield plate with sterling silver inlay?
Fig. 6. Old Sheffield Plate with Sterling Silver Inlay to accommodate initials or a coat of arms. The orange is copper that is now showing through as the silver is wearing. The center inlaid sterling circle shows no wear. Fig. 7. Old Sheffield Plate; halo around the initials which denotes the edge of sterling silver inlay
Is old Sheffield plate still available?
Most Old Sheffield Plate is not marked but a great deal of silverplate is also not marked so lack of any marking is not definitive. Most of what is generally available in the marketplace today is silverplate, but Old Sheffield plated wares are still around.
What does the halo on a Sheffield plate mean?
Old Sheffield Plate; halo around the initials which denotes the edge of sterling silver inlay. One further note about marking: These marks are quite small and can be hard to find. Sometimes they are on the back of an item, but occasionally on the front or on an edge.