Antique Figural Silver
Antique figural silver brings character and narrative to the table, taking the form of animals, figures and mythological scenes cast in precious metal.
Antique Figural Silver
Antique figural silver encompasses functional and decorative objects shaped as animals, human figures or narrative scenes. When searching for antique figural silver, collectors encounter small tabletop novelties alongside substantial lighting and display pieces.
The selection spans several decades and centuries, ranging from Victorian animal pin cushions and pepper pots to Edwardian place card holders and Art Nouveau centerpieces. These pieces combine utility with sculptural form, serving simultaneously as tableware, desk accessories and ornamental figures.
Makers utilised various metals alongside sterling silver and silver plate, incorporating pewter, spelter and bronze into sculptural designs. Objects often reflect stylistic revivals, shifting from Rococo and Renaissance influences through to clean Art Deco lines.
How they were made
Many sculptural works combine silver or silver plating with contrasting materials such as glass, marble, alabaster or enamel. Pewter and spelter served as alternative mediums for larger decorative figures, often receiving a silvered finish to mimic solid metal.
Antique Figural Silver Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for figural silver among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
What varies in quality
The standard of a figural piece rests upon the crispness of the casting and the precision of the hand-chased details. Superior examples retain sharp facial expressions, well-defined fur or feathers, and smooth mechanisms on functional items like pin cushions or boxes.
Maker marks and hallmarks provide clear indicators of origin and material integrity, separating unmarked or plated novelty items from fully hallmarked sterling silver creations. The weight of the metal and the stability of multi-part assemblies further distinguish standard production items from masterworks.
WMF·Berthold Herman Muller·A. Barrett·Alexandre Kelety·Carrier
The Antique Figural Silver Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver by mass, with the remainder consisting of other metals like copper for durability.
- Repoussé
- A metalworking technique where a designer shapes sheet metal by hammering from the reverse side to create a raised relief design on the front.
- Pin cushion
- A small ornamental container, frequently shaped as an animal such as a pig, bear or swan, designed to hold sewing pins securely.
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holder designed to support multiple candles, often incorporating sculptural human or cherubic figures.
- Silver plate
- A layer of silver applied to a base metal core, such as copper or a white metal alloy, utilised extensively in ornamental tableware.
Antique Figural Silver: Frequently Asked Questions
What is antique figural silver?
Antique figural silver refers to items fashioned from silver or silver plate that take the physical form of animals, people, or mythological creatures. These range from functional tableware like pepper pots and cruet sets to decorative sculptures and card trays.
Craftsmen created these pieces across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, incorporating artistic styles from Victorian ornamentation to Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
How were figural silver pieces used?
Many figural silver items served specific dining and desk functions, holding condiments, toothpicks, or place cards during formal meals. Others functioned as decorative ornaments, pin cushions, stamp boxes, or table lighting.
Their dual role as practical household objects and sculptural artworks made them popular display pieces for sideboards and drawing rooms.
How do I tell different periods apart?
Periods are identified through hallmarks, maker marks, and distinct stylistic shifts in the casting and design. Victorian and Edwardian pieces often favour naturalistic animal subjects or ornate revival styles, whilst later twentieth-century items lean towards geometric Art Deco forms.
Examining the base metal, plating method, and accompanying materials like glass or alabaster also helps date an object.
How should I clean figural silver?
Cleaning requires gentle care to preserve fine details, chased patterns, and delicate mechanisms on items like hinged boxes and pin cushions. Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners that can wear away thin silver plating or damage patinated recesses.
Use a soft cloth and a specialised silver cleaner suitable for the specific metal grade, taking extra caution around set stones, enamel, or non-silver base metals.