Antique Silver Bird Model
These antique silver bird model examples bring the natural world to the table, fashioned in solid silver, silver plate, and white metal.
Antique Silver Bird Model
An antique silver bird model represents avian subjects ranging from pheasants and woodcocks to cockerels, chicks, and wading birds. When searching for an antique silver bird model, a buyer meets table ornaments, decorative objects, paperweights, and salt and pepper shakers.
The pieces span periods including Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-century decades up to the 1960s. British and continental European workshops dominate the selection, alongside Japanese metalwork.
What varies in quality
The weight of the metal and the crispness of the feather chasing distinguish different tiers of manufacture. Solid silver examples with clear hallmarks demonstrate greater substance than plated alternatives or lighter white metal pieces.
Listings span the Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-century eras, featuring sterling silver, 833 silver, and silver plate.
Sampson Mordan·Boaz Moses
The Antique Silver Bird Model Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A standard of silver alloy consisting of 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper. This alloy provides the durability needed for intricate chased details on small figures.
- Silver plate
- A base metal object coated with a thin layer of silver. This technique offered a decorative finish at a lower cost than solid silver.
- Hallmark
- An official mark stamped onto precious metal items to guarantee the purity of the metal and show the assay office and date letter. These marks help verify the origin of British and continental pieces.
- Chasing
- A metalsmithing technique where the artisan pushes metal from the front using hammer and punches to create surface texture and detail. On bird models, this method defines the individual feathers and wings.
Antique Silver Bird Model: Frequently Asked Questions
What birds do these models depict?
The pieces show a variety of birds including pheasants, woodcocks, grouse, partridge, and cockerels. Many focus on game birds associated with country pursuits and shooting.
Pairs of pheasants and fighting cockerels are especially common among the surviving table ornaments and decorative figures.
Were these figures purely decorative?
Many function as table ornaments, paperweights, or decorative objects meant for display. Others serve a practical purpose, such as salt and pepper shakers or lidded boxes.
Box models often feature hinged sections on the bird's back for storing small items.
How can I tell the period?
Hallmarks stamped on solid silver pieces provide the most reliable guide to date and origin. British pieces often carry stamps indicating the specific year and assay office.
Stylistic shifts between Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-century designs also help identify the era of manufacture.
What materials are used?
The primary material is solid silver, often marked as sterling, 833, or 830 silver. Some items utilise silver plate or white metal over a base alloy.
Occasional pieces incorporate glass elements or combine silvered bronze with other metals.
How should I display them?
These models sit well on dining tables, desks, and mantelpieces either individually or in matched pairs. Smaller chicks and birds function effectively as paperweights or shelf accents.
Keeping them away from direct moisture helps preserve the finish of both solid silver and plated surfaces.