Period Dating of Silver Antiques
Overlap in periods and influences always occur. This guide may be helpful in determining the circa in which a piece was produced.
Early Classical Period 1776 -1812
Urn shaped with broad expanses of smooth surface
Geometric shapes: square, rectangle, circle, oval
High dome covers, handles are scrolled, tall, and slender
Federal Period 1790 -1830
Paul Revere was a famous silversmith of this period
Coin silver was used, mainly for spoons beginning in 1820
Flat reflective surfaces, pierced galleries, applied beading
Bright-cut engraving were particularly popular, urn-shaped finials
Rococo Revival 1840 - 1860
Exaggerated decoration with flowing and asymmetrical lines
Naturalistic: scrolling foliage, grapevines, fruit, flowers, rocks, shells
Repoussé decoration that covers much of the body, C- and S-curves
Finials - flowers and fruits
Gothic Revival 1840 - 1865
Ecclesiastical influence, perpendicular lines
Medieval appearance with spires, pointed arches, pinnacles
Cast figures used for finials
Geometric forms, lines are vertical & diagonal
Bold presentation
Egyptian Revival 1865 - 1885
Egyptian motifs, cartouches
Designs with lotus blossoms, hieroglyphics, pharaonic faces, sphinxes
Egyptian revival pieces are scarcer than other styles
Finials - sphinxes
Grecian Revival 1862 - 1875 (classic cameo period)
Grecian Revival 1880 - 1910 (medallion motifs)
Designs with cameos, Grecian keys, figures in classical forms,
Greek muses, and Greek columns
Colonial Revival 1876 - 1914
Concurrent with other Movements and Revivals
Very simple fiddle handled flatware
Hollowware is plain, flat chased, or undecorated
Shapes are often classical and have a pedestal base
Finials - pine-cones and acorns
Aesthetic Movement 1870- 1885
Styles of Near and Far East, Strong Japanese influence,
Emphasis on ornamentation, applied decoration including bamboo, birds of paradise, cranes, butterflies, blossoms and stylized fans.
Islamic, Persian, Turkish style vessels possessed long necks
Arts and Crafts 1880 - 1920
Hand-made quality pieces incorporating simple lines and designs
May have hammer marks, and present as rough or chunky
These are one-of-a-kind pieces using nature as the basis for design
Art Nouveau 1890 - 1920
Free flowing lines, asymmetrical natural motifs, sense of intimacy
Natural themes: nymphs, insects, leaves, swans, flowers,
Exotic/erotic designs incorporated female faces and forms
Gorham introduced martele' styling
Liberty Style 1899 -1930
(Liberty style, stile Liberty, Cymric (Welsh))
Archibald Knox (1864 - 1933) designed for Liberty & Co. 1899 -1912
Pieces exhibit Celtic motifs, stylized knots, interlaced symbols, stylized plant or flowers and symmetric ornamentation
Pieces were machine made, but hammered at end to give a hand-finished appearance.
Art Deco 1920 - 1940
Characterized by geometric designs and abstraction.
Simple designs, straight lines and short spouts
Pieces are strong, practical, and streamlined
Notes:
General rule if a smith's initial appears on a piece it is pre 1800s
General rule if a smith's name appears on a piece it is pre 1850s
Auricular style appears in Rococo and Art Nouveau periods
Shape of an ear lobe or conch shell, foliage, scrolls, dolphins, and nudes
Other Silver Dating Guides and Information
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