How do I clean silver covered dishes?

Wash them gently in warm soapy water with a soft cloth, avoiding harsh abrasives that strip thin plating or scratch the surface. Dry them thoroughly with a lint free towel and use a mild silver polish sparingly only when necessary to remove tarnish.

Can I use these for daily dining?

Many silver covered dishes remain sturdy enough for regular use at modern dinner parties, especially robust plated entree dishes. Care should be taken with older sterling or delicate Old Sheffield Plate pieces, which benefit from more careful handling and hand washing.

How do I date a piece without clear hallmarks?

Examine the construction methods, such as the presence of copper showing through Old Sheffield Plate or the style of applied cast borders. Design motifs like Art Nouveau curves or Georgian neoclassical lines offer strong clues to the decade of manufacture.

What is the difference between sterling and plate?

Sterling silver consists of solid precious metal meeting a specific legal purity standard throughout the entire object. Plated items feature a base metal such as copper or nickel silver covered by a thin external layer of pure silver.