Sterling silverware has held significant sociological importance throughout history, symbolizing wealth, status, and cultural values. But in the 1700s and 1800s advances and technology democratized silver accessibility allowing people of all income levels to access these symbols of wealth.
Historically, owning sterling silver items was a clear indicator of wealth, social standing, sophistication and refinement. In many societies, wealthy families would often have entire sets of sterling silver cutlery, serving dishes, tea sets, and other household items. Silver wares were prominently displayed during social gatherings, showcasing the host's affluence and taste. Items made of sterling silver were often passed down through generations as family heirlooms, symbolizing wealth and tradition.
In 1742, Thomas Boulsover accidentally invented silverplating while working as a cutler in the attic of a Tudor house in Sheffield, England. Boulsover was repairing a decorative knife handle made of copper and silver, when he accidentally overheated the handle, causing the two metals to fuse together. He discovered that copper and silver could be fused together creating a base metal that behaved like a single metal and could be plated with silver. This silverplating process became known as Old Sheffield Plate.
Silverplating, now known as Sheffield Plate, allowed for the economic production of a wide range of plated objects, from buttons and snuffboxes to hollowware and utensils, thereby democratizing wealth; it allowed people of the emerging middle class to enjoy the look and feel of silver without the high cost. Additionally, when silverplating was first introduced, solid silver pieces were heavily taxed by the English Crown, whereas Sheffield Plate pieces were not.
During the Industrial Revolution, several key manufacturing techniques further revolutionized the production of silverplate products, thereby facilitating its rapid growth and popularity. The two biggest techniques were electroplating and mechanized production. Electroplating was invented by Luigi Brugnatelli in 1805, and it involved using an electric current to deposit a thin layer of silver onto a base metal, such as nickel silver (an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc). Electroplating allowed for a more consistent and durable silver coating compared to Old Sheffield Plate. Of course, the introduction of machinery and assembly lines enabled the mass production of silverplate items. Factories could produce large quantities of silverplate cutlery and other items more efficiently and at a lower cost.
In the 1900s families continued to value and purchase silverplate table setting pieces - the most enduring of them all is silverplate silverware. Not everyone could afford a multitude of silverplate pieces despite its moderate affordability, but most families today have an heirloom silverplate silverware set that belonged to grandmother or great grandmother. While some families reserve silverplate silverware for special occasions, others incorporate it into their daily dining routines, appreciating its beauty and durability on a daily basis.
Silver still holds monetary and social value in modern society. Thanks to the silverplating pioneers, many people today can afford the luxury feel of silver with silverplate silverware. These owners can choose to use these sets during meals, display them as historical artwork, or take them to artists to create new things out of them like jewelry. Regardless, the beauty and history of these pieces endures.
NOTES: The historical illustration at the top of the article is AI generated. The portrait of Thomas Boulsover is from the books History of Old Sheffield Plate by Frederick Bradbury, First Edition by Frederick Bradbury 1922.
Laughing Frog Studio
Laughing Frog Studio’s mission is to create high-quality, handmade, unique and one-of-a-kind upcycled vintage silverware jewelry, accessories and housewares that enchant the creative spirit, honor the eco-friendly lifestyle, and spread kindness and a sprinkle of humor as often as possible.
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Handmade: Made by Hand & With Love
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