Edwardian Sterling Silver Mounts
These edwardian sterling silver mounts transform utilitarian glass, wood and leather objects into sophisticated domestic accessories through precious metal collars, lids and shields.
Edwardian Sterling Silver Mounts
Edwardian sterling silver mounts bring together the lustrous weight of British silver and the tactile qualities of cut glass, crystal, oak and crocodile skin. When searching for edwardian sterling silver mounts, a buyer meets everything from desktop match strikers and page turners to claret jugs, scent bottles and dressing table boxes.
The objects stem predominantly from the Edwardian period and the surrounding George V and Victorian years, reflecting an era of meticulous interior refinement. Glass vessels, porcelain, and leather goods gain structural strength and visual contrast from bespoke silver collars, lids, rims and corners.
Forms span practical barware such as whisky noggins and decanters alongside intimate dressing table accessories, playing card boxes and photograph frames. Each piece demonstrates how silversmiths adapted precious metal to ornament and protect everyday functional items.
Judging Quality and Execution
The distinction between ordinary and superior pieces rests on the weight of the silver mount and the crispness of any chased or embossed decoration. Thicker gauge silver resists denting and maintains sharper detail across hinges, lids and collars.
Harmony between the silver mount and the underlying material defines exceptional examples. Where glass is deeply cut, or oak and tortoiseshell are polished to a high lustre, the silver mount follows the contours precisely without gaps or clumsy solder lines.
Charles Penny Brown·Harrods Ltd·Ollivant and Botsford·Levi and Salaman·Tiffany and Co·Mappin and Webb·William Comyns·Hasset and Harper·Hukin and Heath
The Edwardian Sterling Silver Mounts Glossary
- Sterling silver
- An alloy containing 92.5 percent silver by mass, with the remainder consisting of other metals, usually copper. This standard composition provides the durability required for functional mounts and decorative hardware.
- Hallmark
- An official mark struck on items made of precious metals, indicating the standard of purity, the assay office, and the year of production. British hallmarks offer precise historical dating for Edwardian pieces.
- Match striker
- A desktop or pocket accessory featuring textured glass or ceramic surfaces designed for igniting safety matches, often finished with a sterling silver rim or collar. They were ubiquitous in Edwardian smoking rooms.
- Page turner
- A desk implement with a tapering blade of bone, ivory or tortoiseshell joined to a substantial sterling silver handle. They were used to turn the pages of books or slice open envelopes.
Edwardian Sterling Silver Mounts: Frequently Asked Questions
What are edwardian sterling silver mounts?
Edwardian sterling silver mounts are protective and decorative metal collars, rims, lids, and shields applied to household objects made of glass, wood, and leather. They elevate functional items into decorative art.
These pieces showcase the collaboration between silversmiths and makers of glassware or leather goods during the early twentieth century.
How were these silver mounted items used?
They served a variety of domestic and social functions, ranging from pouring whisky at the sideboard to holding correspondence on a writing desk. Scent bottles and dressing table boxes organised personal grooming.
Smoking accessories like match strikers and cigar boxes were standard fixtures in Edwardian drawing rooms and smoking dens.
How do I care for silver mounts on glass and wood?
Keep silver mounts clean using a soft cloth and specialist silver polish, taking care to avoid getting polish onto porous materials like wood, tortoiseshell, or crocodile skin. Store pieces away from direct sunlight and damp environments.
For glass bodies, warm soapy water works well, but immerse only the glass parts or keep moisture away from glued joints and hinged silver lids.
How can I tell the date of a mount?
Examine the silver components for British hallmarks, which typically include a lion passant for sterling silver, a city mark for the assay office, and a specific letter indicating the year of manufacture. Comparing these stamps against hallmarking charts reveals the exact year.
The overall style, whether Art Nouveau curves or crisp Edwardian neo-classicism, also provides a strong visual guide to the period.