1910s Sterling Silver
These 1910s sterling silver pieces bring the solid weight and precise ornamentation of the Edwardian and George V years into daily use.
1910s Sterling Silver
When you search for 1910s sterling silver, you encounter functional objects and desk items made during the reign of George V and the tail end of the Edwardian period. The selection includes photograph frames, candlesticks, tea caddies, vesta cases, napkin rings, trinket boxes, and scent bottles.
You are most likely to meet silver photograph frames with wooden backs and stands, alongside small pocket accessories like vesta cases and cigarette cases. Table wares such as cream jugs, toast racks, and capstan inkwells also appear regularly, hallmarked in Birmingham, Sheffield, or London.
The aesthetic bridges traditional Georgian and Victorian revivals with cleaner Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau lines. Makers utilised blue enamel, tortoiseshell, velvet, and amethyst inset stones to accent the sterling silver forms.
How They Were Made
Silversmiths constructed these items using sterling silver sheet and wire, often combining the metal with organic materials like tortoiseshell and wood. Glass inserts featured in inkwells and scent bottles, while velvet lined the interiors of trinket boxes and photograph frame backs.
Techniques included stamping, piercing, and repoussé work to create floral borders and figural ornaments such as the Sopwith biplane. Vitreous and guilloche enamel provided coloured surfaces on compacts and boxes, fired onto textured silver bases.
Pieces carry hallmarks stamped into the metal, recording the assay office, the lion passant for sterling standard, the date letter, and the sponsor mark of the maker or firm.
Silversmiths of this era transformed aviation milestones into desktop novelties, casting solid silver Sopwith biplanes to catch the imagination.
What Varies in Quality
The substance of the silver gauge separates sturdy table articles from lighter wares that dent easily under pressure. Candlesticks, inkwells, and large photograph frames rely on weighted bases or thick metal to maintain structural integrity.
The finesse of the hand-finishing marks the difference between standard production items and distinguished workshops. Crisp chasing on floral borders, unblemished guilloche enamel, and intact tortoiseshell panels demonstrate superior craftsmanship.
The prominence of the maker and the clarity of the full hallmarks contribute to the distinction of individual pieces. Well-documented firms like Liberty & Co or Garrard & Co maintained high standards in their design execution.
Garrard & Co·W.I.Broadway & Co·Zimmermann·Liberty & Co·Mappin & Webb·Walker & Hall·Crisford & Norris·C.T. Burrows & Sons·Robert Pringle & Sons·G H James & Co·Roberts & Belk·W A Ellwick Ltd
The 1910s Sterling Silver Glossary
- Vesta case
- A small pocket container designed for holding matches, usually fitted with a striker on the base. They often feature curved shapes to fit comfortably in a waistcoat pocket.
- Guilloche enamel
- A decorative technique where intricate geometric patterns are mechanically engraved onto metal before translucent enamel is applied over the top. This creates a shimmering, patterned colour effect.
- Capstan inkwell
- A desk ink reservoir shaped like a ship's capstan, featuring a wide base that tapers upwards towards a hinged lid. They were heavily weighted to prevent tipping during use.
- Assay office
- An official body responsible for testing the purity of precious metals and stamping them with hallmarks. Towns such as Birmingham, Sheffield, and London operated distinct offices.
- Sponsor's mark
- The stamp registered by a silversmith, manufacturer, or retail firm to identify who submitted the piece for hallmarking. It usually consists of initials enclosed in a shield.
1910s Sterling Silver: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean antique silver?
Use a soft microfibre cloth and a reputable silver polish formulated to remove tarnish gently without wearing away the underlying metal. Avoid harsh abrasive pastes and ultrasonic cleaners, especially on pieces with enamel or tortoiseshell.
Store items away from direct sunlight and damp environments to slow down the natural tarnishing process between cleanings.
What do the hallmarks tell me?
British hallmarks provide a secure way to date and attribute silver items by recording specific symbols for the metal standard, the town of assay, and the year of manufacture. The lion passant indicates sterling silver purity.
Additional duty marks or sovereign heads can occasionally narrow down the exact decade or year of production alongside the assigned date letter.
Can I use these silver items daily?
Many items like napkin rings, picture frames, and small dishes were designed for practical domestic use and withstand gentle handling today. Desk accessories and trinket boxes suit regular placement in modern rooms.
Delicate items featuring glass, thin enamel work, or aged tortoiseshell require more careful handling to preserve their fragile structural components.
How do I identify George V silver?
George V pieces fall within the reign spanning from 1910 to 1936, meaning date letters on the hallmarks correspond to these specific years. The stylistic choices often reflect Edwardian grace transitioning into simpler geometric forms.
Maker marks stamped during this window link directly to active silversmithing firms operating in Birmingham, Sheffield, and London.