What Is Antique Flatware?

Value

• Some antique flatware collections run as high as $50,000 while spoons, knives, forks and serving utensils from the Edwardian and Victorian were so mass-produced that even today they hold less value than recently handmade items.

Identification

• One of the most important elements of a piece of flatware is its maker, and so identification was extremely noteworthy.

  Antique silver flatware from Britain has a series of marks that have been stamped into them indicating the material, the year and the city where it was made, the reigning monarch, and the name of the silversmith.

  Before 1870, Tiffany &Company had silversmiths supply its flatware, so the different silversmiths such as William Bogert, John Moore, John Polhemus William Gale, Wood&Hughes, Henry Hebbard and Grosjean&Woodward marked each piece with the Tiffany mark as well as with their own marks. After 1870 and continuing into the 1960's, the Moore silversmithing firm became a part of Tiffany &Co. and Tiffany produced its own silverware. Each piece wore the initials of either the current president of the firm or the artistic director.

Where to Purchase

• To collect pieces of different sets and styles try garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets.

  For additions to existing collections or starting a collection, go to reputable on-line retailers with names that are already familiar to you, and they will assist you or recommend other safe sites and dealers.

Patterns

• Generally, the flatware's pattern has more significance than the age of the piece. Some popular patterns, such those inspired by the opulent time of the famous French King Louis XIV during the 17th and 18th centuries, were intended to mimic earlier styles.

  Other patterns, such as the well-known Elberon pattern, specific to the company, designed by a 19th century silversmith named Wm. A. Rogers, were patented to dissuade other competitors from duplication and to be instantly associated with the company name.

Warning

• In order to get higher prices for their flatware, some unscrupulous sellers modify the flatware's design or form. Some common modifications found are the baked potato fork which is modified from the original meat or serving fork by removing the center tine or a fruit spoon that starts out as a regular teaspoon and is altered in shape, size or edge of the bowl (a fruit spoon has either a small and narrow bowl or a serrated edge). Some spoons have been altered into ice cream, terrapin or ramekin forks, which resemble spoons but have short tines. Sharp tines indicate a possible modification.