Solid Silver Frame
A solid silver frame holds a family portrait or a treasured photograph with genuine substance and enduring weight.
Solid Silver Frame
A solid silver frame is typically encountered as a picture or photograph frame from the Edwardian and George V periods, manufactured in workshops across Birmingham, Chester, and London. These pieces serve to display portraits and landscapes, and occasionally form part of tableware items such as cruet sets.
The form ranges from circular and rectangular formats to large landscape and portrait orientations. Buyers select these examples for their substantial construction and period hallmarks, which record the year of creation and the assay office.
Examples span from the eighteenth century through the nineteenth century and into the twentieth century. The selection includes works created in classical, rococo, and Art Deco styles, each maintaining a distinctive structural character.
Materials and Construction
These items rely on sterling silver sheet metal formed over wooden or fabric structures to provide rigidity. The silver components are shaped by hand or pressed with dies, then soldered and finished by silversmiths.
Backings and structural supports utilise wood, glass, velvet, and leather to secure the photograph and protect the paper. Easel stands and hinges allow the frame to rest securely on a table or surface.
Distinctions in Execution
The standard of a solid silver frame depends on the crispness of the hallmarks, the thickness of the silver sheet, and the integrity of the wooden or leather backing. Superior examples display clean borders and secure hinges that support the weight of the silver without sagging.
Maker marks and assay office stamps indicate the origin of the piece, with works by noted silversmiths commanding attention for their refined execution. The weight of the metal and the complexity of the chased or engraved decoration further distinguish the work.
William Burwash·Charles Thomas Fox·William Hutton And Sons·Mappin And Webb·Henry Matthews·Henry Williamson Ltd·Sanders And Mackenzie·Baldwin And Marriott·Bishton S Ltd·Deakin And Sons·Saunders And Shepherd·Charles Edwin Turner·W I Broadway And Co·Sydney And Co·James Deakin And Sons·Turner And Simpson
The Solid Silver Frame Glossary
- Hallmark
- A series of official marks stamped on precious metals to guarantee the purity of the silver, the assay office, and the year of manufacture.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of ninety-two point five percent silver and seven point five percent other metals, typically copper, chosen for durability.
- Cruet set
- A matched collection of bottles, casters, or cruets held within a metal frame for condiments at the dining table.
- Easel back
- A hinged leg attached to the rear of a frame that permits it to stand upright on a flat surface.
- Assay office
- An official body that tests the purity of precious metals and applies the appropriate marks.
Solid Silver Frame: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date a silver frame?
Dating relies on the assay office hallmarks stamped into the metal, which include a date letter corresponding to a specific year of testing. These marks are normally located near the outer edge or on the support mechanism.
Additional clues come from the style of decoration, such as Art Deco geometric lines or Edwardian scrollwork, alongside the construction of the wooden or leather back.
Are these frames made of solid silver?
The exterior visible components consist of sterling silver, supported internally by wooden frames or fabric backings to provide structural rigidity.
Hallmarks verify the silver content, ensuring the metal meets the sterling standard rather than being merely silver plated.
How should I clean a silver frame?
Cleaning requires a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish formulated to remove tarnish without abrading the metal surface. Care must be taken to avoid getting polish on the wooden backings, glass, or fabric linings.
Regular, light dusting helps to preserve the natural shine and prevents the accumulation of heavy oxidation in the recessed areas of the design.
What backs were used originally?
Period frames typically utilise wood, velvet, leather, or fabric stretched over a rigid support to hold the photograph in place. These backs are secured with sliding clips, turn-buttons, or small hinges.
Original backings often feature an easel stand designed to support the weight of the heavy silver front.