Silver Plated Urns
Silver plated urns encompass grand wine coolers, tea samovars and coffee vessels spanning Georgian elegance to Art Deco utility.
Silver Plated Urns
Silver plated urns cover a diverse array of domestic and formal vessels, from imposing wine coolers and champagne buckets to tea samovars, coffee pots and spirit kettles on stands. The pieces seen span multiple eras, notably the 18th Century, Georgian, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods.
Wine coolers and champagne buckets emerge frequently in the listings, alongside tea urns and miniature chestnut urns. These objects originate from English, French and Italian workshops, reflecting varied social rituals around dining and hospitality across centuries.
Materials and Techniques
Makers utilised silver plate, Old Sheffield plate, copper and base metals, often incorporating elements of marble, wood and ebony for handles and insulators. Old Sheffield plate involved fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper core, a method preceding modern electroplating.
Surviving examples display cast or applied crests, chased relief motifs, and structural details such as spirit burners, taps and twin handles. Bronze and silvered metals appear in specific centrepieces and decorative urns.
Listings feature copper, marble, ebony and wood alongside silver plate and Old Sheffield plate.
Craftsmanship and Proportion
Quality rests in the crispness of chased detailing, the weight and balance of cast handles, and the integrity of the underlying metal plate. Pieces retaining original heraldic crests or maker marks display superior provenance.
The sophistication of the silhouette, such as campana proportions or classical revival detailing, distinguishes finer workshop production from standard domestic utility ware.
Hutton Sheffield·Elkington Mason And Co·Walker And Hall·Matthew Boulton·John Hoyland·Risler And Carre Paris·Fenton Brothers·Harrison Brothers And Howson
The Silver Plated Urns Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A composite material made by fusing silver and copper together before shaping the metal. This technique creates a distinctive edge where the copper base layer shows through wear.
- Samovar
- A heated metal container traditionally used to boil and heat water for tea. These vessels often feature a central internal flue and a spigot tap.
- Campana
- A bell-shaped vessel profile commonly seen in classical wine coolers and decorative urns. The form draws inspiration from antiquity.
- Argyle
- A type of vessel with a jacket for hot water to keep gravy or liquids warm. The internal compartment maintains temperature without direct heat.
Silver Plated Urns: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a wine cooler and a tea urn?
Wine coolers are open vessels designed to hold ice and bottles at the table, whereas tea urns and samovars feature spigot taps and enclosed bodies intended for dispensing hot water.
Coolers prioritize heavy insulation and capacity, while tea urns accommodate internal heating elements or spirit burners.
How do I identify Old Sheffield plate?
Old Sheffield plate exhibits a sandwich effect where the copper base metal subtly shows through the silver layer along high friction edges and rims. This method predates the invention of standard electroplating.
Pieces made this way often carry a distinct weight and warmth compared to later electroplated white metal.
Were spirit kettles used indoors?
Spirit kettles on stands provided hot water for tea service in drawing rooms and dining parlours away from the main kitchen hearth. The integrated burner maintained the water temperature throughout the gathering.
These portable sets combined utility with decorative display on side tables.
How should I care for silver plated urns?
Gentle cleaning with a non-abrasive silver cloth preserves the remaining plate without exposing the underlying base metal. Avoid harsh dips that strip the character of the surface.
Displaying pieces away from direct heat sources protects any wooden or ebony handle inserts from drying out.