Antique Silver and Objets
The allure of silver has endured since the dawn of civilization, making it the second most precious metal after gold. Silver boasts impressive qualities, including high reflectivity, malleability, and ductility. It reflects a high percentage of light that falls on it, making it highly lustrous. Malleability and ductility refer to its ability to be shaped and moulded, making silver a favourite material for craftspeople throughout history. Their creativity is almost unlimited when working with this versatile metal.
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Silver has a long history and has been mined for over 5,000 years. The Greeks minted the drachma, the Romans the denarius, and in Great Britain, the sterling was introduced. Alexander the Great had an élite guard to whom he bestowed silver shields - imagine the sight of those shields glinting in the sun on the battlefield! The Lavrion silver mine in ancient Greece provided funds that helped the Athenians defeat the Persians and build the Acropolis and other monuments.
During the Medieval period through the 17th century, spoons were considered personal items and were often given as gifts at baptisms. Spoons were crafted from materials such as horn, pewter, brass, and silver. Typically, only wealthy families presented silver spoons at a child's birth. People brought their own spoons to banquets, as none were provided, making a spoon a reflection of one’s social status. This explains the meaning behind the old saying, "Born with a silver spoon in your mouth."
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Today, sterling silver is a part of many people's lives, often through wedding gifts, baby gifts, and anniversary gifts. It is commonly used to celebrate significant milestones. Traditionally, during occasions like Christmas, families set the table with silverware. However, in recent years, with the revival of the "cocktail hour," there has been a growing interest in sterling silver cocktail shakers, servers, stirrers, ice buckets, and other items for serving drinks.
A silver collection can be developed gradually, taking as little space as a tabletop. Most collectors begin by selecting a specific style, period, or era. Some prefer to focus on a particular maker, such as the renowned Paul Storr, or concentrate on pieces from a specific country of origin. Regardless of an individual's tastes in sterling silver, Pragnell, as a full-service jeweller, offers a diverse selection of silver to accommodate collections ranging from relatively modest to extensively elaborate.
Antique CLP Page
