What is a sterling silver table centrepiece used for?

These large vessels served as the visual anchor of a formal dining table, holding fruit, flowers or sweetmeats during large nineteenth and twentieth-century banquets. They provided height and reflected candlelight across the dining room. Today, they function primarily as decorative focal points on sideboards, dining tables or entrance halls, often retaining their original glass liners for practical display.

How do I clean a sterling silver centrepiece?

Cleaning requires a soft microfibre cloth and a quality silver polish designed to remove tarnish without stripping the underlying metal. Take extra care around deep repoussé work and hand-pierced lattice sections where polish can accumulate. Avoid abrasive scrubbing pads and harsh chemical dips, particularly on pieces with silver gilt interiors or fragile glass liners.

How do I date an antique silver centrepiece?

Dating relies heavily on the hallmarks stamped into the silver, which record the assay office, the specific date letter, and the sterling standard mark. Stylistic clues such as Art Nouveau whiplash lines, Edwardian pierced scrollwork or Art Deco geometric forms also help narrow down the era.