Antique Silver Page Marker
An antique silver page marker holds your place in a cherished volume with small-scale sculptural wit and sterling metalwork.
Antique Silver Page Marker
The selections span the Victorian era, the Edwardian period and into the Art Deco style of the 1920s. Common novelty forms include trowels, pointing hands, camels, elephants and Kewpie dolls, alongside stone-set variants incorporating agate, carnelian and Connemara marble.
How they were made
Many examples incorporate decorative inserts of natural stones including agate, carnelian and Connemara marble, cut and polished to fit securely within silver mounts. Enamel work also appears on select pieces, adding applied colour to the metallic surface.
Antique Silver Page Marker Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver page marker 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 distinction between standard output and finer examples rests upon the intricacy of the metalwork and the originality of the novelty form. Pieces featuring natural hardstones like Scottish agate or detailed figural subjects such as pointing hands and animals display higher standards of design.
Maker attribution heavily influences distinction, with workshops such as Charles Horner commanding particular attention for their identifiable output. Crisp hallmarks, well-preserved stone settings and clean engraving separate the superior creations from basic production.
Charles Horner
The Antique Silver Page Marker Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper, chosen for durability in small objects.
- Hallmark
- A series of official marks stamped on precious metal items indicating the standard of purity, the assay office, and the date letter.
- Novelty bookmark
- A decorative page marker shaped to represent an animal, human figure, tool or symbolic object rather than a simple geometric strip.
- Agate
- A chalcedony mineral featuring distinct bands of colour, frequently cut and polished for insertion into Victorian and Edwardian silver mounts.
- Trowel bookmark
- A page marker designed in the miniature shape of a builder's trowel, a popular Edwardian and Victorian novelty form.
Antique Silver Page Marker: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a silver page marker?
The flat stem slides gently between the pages of a book while the decorative terminal rests securely on the top edge.
This design keeps your place without creasing the paper or placing heavy pressure on the binding.
What materials are used besides silver?
Many examples incorporate natural hardstones such as agate, carnelian and Connemara marble into the handle or terminal.
Enamel and casein also appear on select novelty pieces from the later periods.
How do I date an antique bookmark?
Silver hallmarks stamped onto the metal provide the exact assay office and date letter for British pieces.
Stylistic elements like Art Deco geometry or Victorian naturalism offer additional clues to the era of manufacture.
How should I clean my silver bookmark?
Use a soft microfibre cloth designed for precious metals to gently remove tarnish from the surface.
Avoid harsh chemical dips, especially on pieces set with delicate natural stones or enamel.