Solid Silver Figurine
A solid silver figurine captures birds, animals and characters in gleaming metal, offering miniature art for a desk or cabinet.
Solid Silver Figurine
A solid silver figurine represents sculptural objects modelled into animals, birds, human figures and vehicles, often serving a dual purpose as a functional item.
The selections available span multiple decades, incorporating Edwardian and Victorian pieces alongside mid-century European designs.
Common forms on this page include birds such as woodcocks, cockerels and pheasants, alongside foxes, stags, dogs and novelty miniatures.
How they were made
Materials recorded across the inventory include sterling silver, 833 silver, wood, velvet, fabric and leather, with silver forming the primary body of each piece.
Techniques range from casting and hand-modelling to detailed chasing, giving texture to feathers, fur and clothing on figures and animals.
Certain pieces integrate wooden bases or internal elements like leather and velvet, particularly within fitted cases or specific novelty items.
Solid Silver Figurine Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for solid silver figurine 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
Quality rests upon the crispness of detail in the chasing and casting, separating lifelike textures from softer, worn impressions.
Weight and gauge of the metal determine the substantial feel of the object, distinguishing hollow lightweight items from heavier sculpted models.
The reputation of the maker and clarity of hallmarks contribute significantly to the standing of an individual piece within its period.
Tom Mackie·Levi & Salaman·Edward & John Barnard·Boaz Moses·Thomas Johnson·Mario Bucellati
The Solid Silver Figurine Glossary
- Animalier
- A style focusing on the realistic portrayal of animals, prominent in nineteenth and twentieth-century sculpture.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied to precious metals indicating purity, origin and year of assay.
- Novelty
- An object made in an amusing or unusual shape, often combining decoration with a practical function like a pepper pot or menu holder.
- Silver Gilt
- Silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold on its surface.
Solid Silver Figurine: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a solid silver figurine?
A solid silver figurine is a small sculpted object made entirely of silver, depicting animals, birds, or human figures.
These pieces range from purely decorative sculptures to functional items like salt shakers, menu holders, and pill boxes.
How were silver animal figures used?
Many of these silver animals served as desk ornaments, cabinet displays, or conversation pieces in period homes.
Others held practical roles on the dining table or desk as pepper pots, pin cushions, and menu holders.
How do I date a silver figurine?
Dating relies primarily on the hallmarks stamped onto the silver, which indicate the assay office and year of production.
Stylistic elements like Edwardian naturalism or mid-century European forms also help place an object in its correct era.
What materials are found with these figurines?
While the main body is solid silver, certain pieces incorporate wood, velvet, fabric, or leather.
These secondary materials typically appear in fitted cases, display bases, or internal linings of novelty boxes.