What is Old Sheffield Plate and when was it developed?

Old Sheffield Plate is a process invented in the 1740s by Thomas Boulsover, involving the fusion of a layer of sterling silver to a copper ingot before rolling and shaping. It was extensively used throughout the Georgian era to produce durable metalware with the appearance of solid silver.

How were 18th-century George III candelabra constructed?

These pieces were produced by fusing fused silver-clad copper sheets, which were hand-hammered or die-stamped into decorative elements such as fluted shafts, acanthus leaves, and reeded branches, often weighted internally with resin or lead for stability.

How can an authentic Old Sheffield Plate candelabra be identified?

Authentic items frequently feature visible seam lines where silver sheets were joined, applied silver wire edges designed to conceal exposed copper cores, and areas of copper bleeding where polishing has worn the silver layer.

How can an antique silver candelabra suite be styled in modern interiors?

A four-piece silver suite functions as a dramatic central arrangement along a formal dining table or arrayed across a long sideboard top to reflect natural light and create focal interest.

What is the recommended care for preserving Old Sheffield Plate?

Clean gently using a non-abrasive soft cloth and specialised silver cream formulated for plated antiques, avoiding harsh chemicals, dip cleaners, or excessive rubbing that could strip the original silver layer.

for sale €3,101 $3,366

£2,650

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Georgian Silver Candelabra

Old Sheffield Plate Candlesticks

Georgian Silver Plated Candlesticks

Id #SA1223134

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Antique Large Old Sheffield George III Candelabra 4 Piece Suite, 18th Century

Name: Antique Large Old Sheffield George III Candelabra 4 Piece Suite, 18th Century
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1223134
Price: 2650 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a stunning antique suite of candleabra comprising a large pair of English Old Sheffield plate silver on copper table candelabra and the matching pair of Old Sheffield plate silver on copper candlesticks, all circa 1780 in date.

Each of the splendid candelabra features a stunning stem with an acanthus cast socket, detachable arms with two foliage cast branches, each raised on decorative circular bases.

The attention to detail is fantastic, and they are certain to attract attention wherever they are placed.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation of condition.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 49 cm x Width 45 cm x Depth 15 cm - Candelabra

Height 29 cm x Width 15 cm x Depth 15 cm - Candlesticks

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 7 inches x Width 1 foot, 6 inches x Depth 6 inches - Candelabra

Height 11 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 6 inches - Candlesticks

Old Sheffield Plate - or ‘fused plate’ as it is sometimes known- was the first commercially viable method of plating metal.

The material was accidentally invented by Thomas Boulsover, of Sheffield's Cutlers Company, in 1743. While trying to repair the handle of a customer's decorative knife, he heated it too much, and the silver started to melt. When he examined the damaged handle, he noticed that the silver and copper had fused very strongly. Experiments showed that the two metals behaved as one when he tried to reshape them, even though he could clearly see two different layers.

Boulsover set up in business, funded by Strelley Pegge of Beauchief, and carried out further experiments in which he put a thin sheet of silver on a thick ingot of copper and heated the two together to fuse them. When the composite block was hammered or rolled to make it thinner, the two metals were reduced in thickness at similar rates. Using this method, Boulsover was able to make sheets of metal which had a thin layer of silver on the top surface and a thick layer of copper underneath. When this new material was used to make buttons, they looked and behaved like silver buttons but were a fraction of the cost.

The technique Boulsover developed was to sandwich an ingot of copper between two plates of silver, tightly bind it with wire, heat it in a furnace and then mill it out into a sheet, from which objects could be made.

Our reference: A5336

Physical Dimensions

Height

49cm (19.29")

Width

45cm (17.72")

Depth

15cm (5.91")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this George III Silver Candelabra Suite to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1223134

Dealers Internal Reference

A5336

Description

“

Each of the splendid candelabra features a stunning stem with an acanthus cast socket, detachable arms with two foliage cast branches, each raised on decorative circular bases.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A four-piece set of 18th-century George III Old Sheffield silver-plated candelabra and matching candlesticks with fluted stems and leaf motifs. — fig 1. Antique Large Old Sheffield George III Candelabra 4 Piece Suite, 18th Century

The attention to detail is fantastic, and they are certain to attract attention wherever they are placed.

Condition:

In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation of condition.

Dimensions in cm:

fig 2. A four-piece set of 18th-century George III Old Sheffield silver-plated candelabra and matching candlesticks with fluted stems and leaf motifs. — fig 2. Antique Large Old Sheffield George III Candelabra 4 Piece Suite, 18th Century

Height 49 cm x Width 45 cm x Depth 15 cm - Candelabra

Height 29 cm x Width 15 cm x Depth 15 cm - Candlesticks

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 foot, 7 inches x Width 1 foot, 6 inches x Depth 6 inches - Candelabra

fig 3. A four-piece set of 18th-century George III Old Sheffield silver-plated candelabra and matching candlesticks with fluted stems and leaf motifs. — fig 3. Antique Large Old Sheffield George III Candelabra 4 Piece Suite, 18th Century

Height 11 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 6 inches - Candlesticks

Old Sheffield Plate - or ‘fused plate’ as it is sometimes known- was the first commercially viable method of plating metal.

The material was accidentally invented by Thomas Boulsover, of Sheffield's Cutlers Company, in 1743. While trying to repair the handle of a customer's decorative knife, he heated it too much, and the silver started to melt. When he examined the damaged handle, he noticed that the silver and copper had fused very strongly. Experiments showed that the two metals behaved as one when he tried to reshape them, even though he could clearly see two different layers.

fig 4. A four-piece set of 18th-century George III Old Sheffield silver-plated candelabra and matching candlesticks with fluted stems and leaf motifs. — fig 4. Antique Large Old Sheffield George III Candelabra 4 Piece Suite, 18th Century

Boulsover set up in business, funded by Strelley Pegge of Beauchief, and carried out further experiments in which he put a thin sheet of silver on a thick ingot of copper and heated the two together to fuse them. When the composite block was hammered or rolled to make it thinner, the two metals were reduced in thickness at similar rates. Using this method, Boulsover was able to make sheets of metal which had a thin layer of silver on the top surface and a thick layer of copper underneath. When this new material was used to make buttons, they looked and behaved like silver buttons but were a fraction of the cost.

fig 5. A four-piece set of 18th-century George III Old Sheffield silver-plated candelabra and matching candlesticks with fluted stems and leaf motifs. — fig 5. Antique Large Old Sheffield George III Candelabra 4 Piece Suite, 18th Century

The technique Boulsover developed was to sandwich an ingot of copper between two plates of silver, tightly bind it with wire, heat it in a furnace and then mill it out into a sheet, from which objects could be made.

Our reference: A5336