Antique Silver Plate Vases
These antique silver plate vases bring nineteenth and twentieth century display and utility into domestic spaces.
Antique Silver Plate Vases
Buyers encounter forms ranging from miniature chestnut urns and trumpet vases to large epergnes combining silver plate with cut glass, opaque glass or pearlescent glass. Many survive in pairs or sets, reflecting formal dining and parlour traditions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Materials and construction
Makers utilised base metals such as copper and white metal, applying silver plating or employing Old Sheffield Plate techniques where a thin layer of silver fuses to a copper base. Early examples demonstrate Georgian and nineteenth century plating methods.
Combination with glass is common, integrating cut glass, etched glass, opaque glass and pearlescent glass bodies into epergnes and spill vases. Metalwork styles incorporate cast and chased ornament characteristic of Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.
Listings feature pieces spanning the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, encompassing Georgian Old Sheffield Plate, Victorian epergnes and Art Deco WMF coolers.
Evaluating the pieces
Quality rests on the crispness of chased and cast ornament, the integration of mixed media such as cut or etched glass, and the integrity of the underlying metal plate. Pieces bearing the marks of established makers show superior weight, balance and detailing in handles, collars and bases.
Proportion and form dictate desirability, separating standard production items from ambitious centrepieces, epergnes and large wine coolers. The survival of matching pairs and complete multi-vase sets significantly elevates the standing of the work.
Fox & Grapes·Walker & Hall·WMF·Joseph Rodgers & Sons·Daniel & Arter·Hawksworth, Eyre & Co·Elkington & Co
The Antique Silver Plate Vases Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early form of plating created by fusing a sheet of silver to a copper ingot before rolling them together into sheets. This technique predates electroplating and often reveals thin lines of copper at the edges.
- Epergne
- A large table centrepiece featuring a central dish with multiple branching arms holding smaller vases or baskets. They were used for fruit, sweets or floral arrangements during formal dining.
- Spill Vase
- A tall, slender vessel designed to hold taper spills used for lighting fires and candles. These small vases sit beside hearths or on mantelpieces.
- Wine Cooler
- A large vessel intended for chilling bottles at the table, frequently executed in heavy silver plate with sturdy handles. Examples from the nineteenth century often take urn or bucket forms.
- Secessionist
- A stylistic movement associated with Central European design, particularly Vienna, emphasising geometric forms and clean lines rather than heavy historicism. It overlaps with the Art Nouveau period.
Antique Silver Plate Vases: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean silver plate vases?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver cleaner formulated specifically for plated items to preserve the silver layer. Avoid abrasive pads or harsh chemical dips that strip the plating from the underlying copper or white metal.
Wash glass inserts separately in warm soapy water and dry them completely before reassembling the piece. Regular, gentle dusting helps maintain the surface without requiring frequent polishing.
Are these vases watertight?
Many metal and glass combinations hold water safely, particularly glass-lined epergnes and heavy metal vessels designed for fresh flowers. However, older plated pieces with soldered joints or porous liners require caution.
Check the interior for liners or removable glass inserts before filling. Using a small inner glass container protects antique metal from prolonged moisture exposure.
How do I date an antique silver plate vase?
Examine the style of decoration, such as Victorian scrollwork, Edwardian floral motifs or Art Deco geometric lines, alongside any maker marks stamped on the base. The transition from Old Sheffield Plate to electroplating around the mid-nineteenth century provides a key chronological marker.
Construction details, font styles on stamps and the presence of registry marks help narrow the production decade. Comparing the form to dated archival examples confirms the era.
Can I use epergnes for modern dining tables?
Epergnes function effectively as dramatic centrepieces for modern dining tables, holding seasonal flowers, fruit or candles. Their vertical arrangements draw the eye upward without occupying excessive table footprint.
Ensure the scale matches your dining surface and ceiling height, particularly with large multi-arm epergnes. Removing delicate glass inserts during boisterous gatherings prevents accidental damage.