BUYING GUIDE: ANTIQUE SILVER

BUYING GUIDE: antique silver

By Duncan Campbell, Head of Silver

The first question I ask myself when thinking about a piece of silver for home is, am I going to use it?

Almost all the silver ever made was designed for use. Silver is a pretty durable metal and will not come to any harm if used and not abused. The great benefit of usage is that, with regular washing up, it will never require the blackened hands and nasty strong odours of silver polish.

The next question is naturally, do I like it? If so then any future downward price fluctuations are vastly less important.

Whether for use or to form part of a collection, there are a few further one or two other considerations to be borne in mind when spending money on old silver.

Condition 

At all costs avoid repairs and alterations. A small repair or even an erased engraving can dramatically reduce the value of antique silver. If in doubt, ask the seller to makde a point of describing your newly bought item as 'un-erased' and/or 'undamaged' on the invoice.

Does the date match the object

This means, if it looks like a George II beer mug, be sure that it was made during his reign. Reproduction designs are always going to be somewhat less valued than the originals. Rely on the experience of an expert to determine genuine from repro; our head of department Duncan Campbell is on hand to appraise items - take advantage of the many valuation days we hold per year to learn more about your silver.

Good Clear Marks

Though it shouldn't really matter, marks are important for resale and the clearer and easier to read the better. 

Avoid the latest fashions

Inevitably, the styles and types of object that appear in interior decoration magazines will be in short supply and therefore probably will not hold their value as well as items not currently on trend.

Perhaps most important of all…..

Buy from somewhere reliable 

If old silver seems cheap, there is usually a reason. A good dealer or auction house with a reputation to maintain will provide a money back guarantee if the item is not as described (check the Terms and Conditions). The price may be slightly higher but over the long term you will be glad you paid it.

There is an old saying in the trade that 'if the only thing you have to excuse is the price, you are on safe ground'.