What is sterling silver hollowware?

Sterling silver hollowware refers to three-dimensional vessels and containers made for domestic use, including teapots, cream jugs, tankards, and mustard pots. These items span multiple historical periods from the eighteenth century through the Art Deco era and are shaped from solid silver.

How were antique cream jugs used?

Antique cream jugs served as table vessels for dispensing milk or cream during tea and breakfast service. They appear in various regional styles across the Georgian and Victorian periods, often matching the design of contemporary teapots.

How do I identify a christening mug?

Christening mugs are small handled vessels, often heavier in gauge silver, commissioned to mark the birth or baptism of a child. They frequently date from the Victorian and George V periods and sometimes feature engraved presentation inscriptions or decorative repoussé work.

What is the difference between a tankard and a mug?

Tankards are tall drinking vessels traditionally fitted with a hinged lid, while mugs are open-topped drinking vessels. Both forms appear in solid silver across Georgian and Victorian manufacturing periods.