Western Silverware Development and Collection

The brief history of Western silverware development was about 4,000 BC. Mesopotamia in the Euphrates and Tigris rivers produced the first handmade silver jewelry. Since then, important silver cultural phenomena have emerged and have affected human politics, culture, and life so far.

This place is located in an important strategic area, so that the Chinese and Western economies converge and flourish. With the continuous improvement of the level of human silver mining and utilization, silver has developed rapidly in the fields of both monetary and practical functions. On the one hand, silver has become the currency of many countries in the world; on the other hand, silver is made into all kinds of silverware, and it is spread among the royal family and religion.

After the Middle Ages, Western silverware became fashionable. After nearly a thousand years of evolution, Britain has become the birthplace of Western classic silverware. Since the Middle Ages, the British coinage industry and crude silverware have emerged, along with silver decorations and home-made silverware. Due to the low hardness of silverware, copper was added to the raw materials of silver produced in the early days, and because the silverware manufacturing industry at that time was very different, the purity of the raw materials used was very different. There was no certain standard, so the silverware in this period was actually Copper-containing alloy silverware. In fact, copper can not only increase the hardness of silver, but also does not affect the color of silver. Therefore, even if the content of copper in the alloy is high, it is difficult to distinguish.

By the beginning of the 13th century, Britain had marked "Sterling" on silverware that could reach 92.5% purity. This standard was introduced by the King John at the time from the German craftsman. It was originally called Easterling (Eastern standard), and later the first two letters were removed as Sterling. In 1327, Edward III formally granted the “Dear Goldsmith Company” the statutory power to manage and execute silverware appraisals. In order to exercise this power, the Goldsmith Company established a center for detection and identification of gold and silverware. This authorization began a new era of silverware development. Since then, countries have followed suit and silverware has become a strictly regulated device of various governments. The fundamental reason for the implementation of this measure is that the United Kingdom regulates that the silver raw materials used to make silver coins and utensils are both 92.5% silver alloys, thus equating the currency with the value of silverware.

In order to further strengthen supervision and prevent silverware smuggling or tax evasion, the silverware is also marked with a lion head called the "king". In France, this sign is called "Leopard". At the same time, all silverware must be identified by Goldsmith, and certified silverware will be marked with a Hallmark. However, the initial regulatory system for silverware was still not perfect, and the identification method was not strict. Moreover, such identification methods were not welcomed by silversmiths. Silversmiths outside London were often reluctant to travel long distances and ventured into London to identify themselves. As a result of the silverware, some silverware with no signs appeared. To this end, the authorities authorized the silverware appraisal to various municipalities and township level administrative regions. Each municipality and town has put forward a delegate to exercise silverware appraisal in the local area. Later, with the continuous deepening of the supervision of silverware, silverware must be marked with the code of the appraiser. As a result, there are more and more signs, patterns, and patterns on silverware, and different cities have different identification marks. This forms a set of quite complex pattern marks. In the 16th century, the goldsmith company introduced a lion statue and soon replaced the king's logo. Therefore, any silverware with a lion-like logo must be a 92.5% pure silverware.

From the end of the 17th to the 18th century, the replacement of Milling was completed, resulting in the "Great Britain Standard." The most obvious change in the standard is to change the original king's logo to the lion's head and the Great Britain pattern. The purity of silver is 95.84%. At the beginning of the 18th century, the original Sterling logo was restored at the request of the general public.

In the 19th century, the production, management, and transaction of silverware entered a mature period. At this time, series of silverware began to appear. In addition to hand-made, industrial production has accounted for a large proportion, silverware of various shapes and various uses has been quite complete and systematic. The production management of this period is also very strict. The silverware produced in various countries has been identified. Its quality can be trusted and the production is also very beautiful. Silverware production countries, production time, and producers all have complete signs and inscriptions. In addition, the silverware manufacturing process in this period has been perfect. It has used manual gongs, carved flowers, embossed, hollowed out, gold-plated, inlaid and other techniques to produce a number of highly artistic utensils, which are expensive. . At the same time, mass production and transactions began, and trading methods and rules were established. In short, the western silverware of the 19th century reached its peak in all aspects.

After the 20th century, the production of western silverware basically reached the level of mechanization. Due to the time and quantity, the silverware of this period cannot be comparable to the silverware produced in the past few years, no matter whether it is a collection or an artistic value. Their greatest feature is their practicality. Although they are exquisitely crafted but lack the artistic vigor of early silverware, they are vast in quantity and rare in appearance. They are finely detailed and lack simple and natural. As a result, people have once again favored manual craftsmanship, and some silverware production has resumed hand-made, but the price is quite expensive.

Western silverware varieties In the thousands of years that silverware produced, various kinds of silverware can be roughly divided into silver coins, housewares, jewelry, and appliances that represent power.

Daily necessities in the West, silver articles can be found everywhere, but very rare boutique. These supplies can be divided into the following categories:

Knives, Forks and Spoons: “People use food as a heaven”, and therefore tableware is the most common. Among them, the simplest and highest usage rate is the knife, fork, and spoon, and there are three kinds of cutlery produced by humans.

Cup: The cup is probably derived from the spoon. There are many types of cups, including hot cups for coffee or tea and cold drinks for drinking.

Pot: As a container, it includes a coffee pot, a teapot, a hip flask, a kettle, a chocolate pot, a milk jug, and the like.

Dishes and Trays: Silver dishes are available in various varieties, including soup plates, vegetable plates, fruit plates, and tea trays.

Box: There are many kinds of silver boxes, some of which are common jewelry boxes, sewing boxes, powder boxes, cigarette cases, name card boxes and various kinds of packing boxes. Shapes are round, rectangular, oval, and so on. Some box production is very particular about the four walls engraved or inlaid precious stones.

Bags: Women's evening makeup bags are more common, and sterling silver is used to make beams and chains. The beams are engraved or embossed with fine patterns, and some are set with diamonds and other precious stones.

Basket: There are few kinds of silver baskets, mainly wine baskets, bread baskets, etc.

Candlesticks: Candlesticks are an indispensable tool in European life, especially before electricity is used.

Seasoning device: There are many types of silver spice dispensers, bottle type, pot type and collection type.

Soup Kettle: The container of soup.

Amphora Cup: It was very fashionable. Some amphora cups have feet or bases that are mounted on the bottom of the cup, so they are more complex than normal cups, and they are heavier and larger.

Layered disk: A shelf-type device that can hold a variety of foods. There is a base, or four feet can stand on the table.

Kettle: used exclusively for water, large in size, some with a flat bottom, some with a base, some with legs, and one with a handle.

Salt tank: dedicated to salt.

Other daily necessities: There are numerous small items of various kinds. The production is relatively simple and the practicality is prominent. The same is true for some pouring funnels. In addition, a process design in which silver is combined with crystal or glass is often used.

Other silver products In the political and religious fields of Western countries, silver or silver alloy utensils can be seen from time to time. Most of these artifacts represent power and status. The production process is very particular and rare. Mainly include the following types:

Instruments: In religious activities, there are a large number of instruments used in silver production, such as rods, crosses, statues of Jesus, bishop's headdresses, holy light images, holy cups, etc.

Symbols of power and honor: For a long time, the rulers of various dynasties in various countries were inseparable from silverware on any occasion. The emperor's scepter and crown were made of silver, with gold and precious stones. Some of the supplies and accessories of the ruling class people, such as ribbons, official ranks, and sabre accessories, are also made of silver.

Sculpture: In addition to the silver statues of the statues of the Virgin and Jesus, some other sculptures are often made of pure silver. In western countries, other silver plastics such as animals, figures, and sailing boats can be found everywhere. There are many well-made, vivid and vivid works.

Jewelry: Initially silver was made into jewelry by humans, and thousands of years have produced countless kinds of jewelry.

Silver coins: The early application of silver to human beings was mostly money manufacturing.

There are long-term and extensive exchanges between Chinese and Western silverware, western economy, culture, and art. Silverware is also the case.

The introduction of Western silverware into China has a history of about 2,000 years. From a geographical point of view, early in Eastern Europe and ancient Rome, the Byzantine region, and occasionally Western European and Northern European products, but very few. The first Western silverware that entered China on a large scale was produced in the 5th to 8th centuries. The introduction of these silverware has brought a positive impact on China’s silverware production. This effect is reflected in the Chinese silverware's imitation of Western silverware, absorbing Western production techniques, styling, and ornamentation. At this time, a considerable portion of silverware made in China has been referenced to the shape, ornamentation, and style of Western silverware. In particular, the silverware of the Tang Dynasty, due to changes in the cultural awareness and spiritual state of the silversmith, were inspired to create brilliant works. So far, China's silverware in the Tang Dynasty has still been favored and valued by researchers, collectors, and manufacturers around the world. At this time, western silverware spreads in a wider range in China, and its inflow route is mainly the "Silk Road." As a result, the silverware that was introduced during this period was discovered in the northwest, north, east, and south of China. These silverware are excellent from the point of view of production techniques, shapes, and patterns.

The second upsurge of Western silverware entering China took place in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and later. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Westerners who came to China gradually increased, especially businessmen, missionaries, and expeditionary archeological personnel in Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States. They carried silverware through various channels and held different The purpose came to China. Some of these silverware tribute to the Chinese court, some to Daguan nobles, and some for their own use. In this way, a certain amount of Western silverware has been deposited in developed areas in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Nanjing and Xi'an. These silverware have a wide range of different qualities and some have extremely high artistic standards. The introduction of silverware was of great significance to the exchange of modern Chinese and Western art, and also promoted the communication between Chinese and Western culture, economy, and politics. The collection and research of these silverware provide a new perspective for understanding the different conditions in Western countries.

The third climax of Western silverware’s entry into China was born in the past ten years between the turn of the century and the turn of the century. In the past decade or so, many Chinese students or foreigners who have studied abroad have brought a considerable amount of silverware and have rekindled their passion for collecting Western silverware in China. At present, many Chinese young people sell silverware online or in physical stores. Most of these silverware are cutlery, and high-quality artworks are rare, but over time, there will certainly be more and better. Silverware enters China.

Similarly, for a long time, the number of silverware produced by Chinese silversmiths has also reached a certain number of Western countries. Therefore, museums and some private collectors in some Western countries have Chinese silverware. The silverware was produced from about the 8th century to the end of the Qing Dynasty and the early period of the Republic of China. Some of them were even earlier, such as those produced by the Spring and Autumn Period and the Han Dynasty, and they had strong oriental artistic features. These silverwares have a relatively high political, economic, cultural and artistic value, and are mostly kept in famous art museums.

Affected by Chinese art, some western silverware also absorbed oriental artistic features. For example, in 1889, the British silver production of the holy light Taiwan, has a Chinese art style, another silver wine basket shape, but also from the Chinese Warring States period bronze model. (11)

In addition, some silverware produced in China from the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century was also valued by Western collectors and researchers. The number of these silverware is large. Most of them are silverware exported to western countries in the Qing Dynasty. They have different types of apparatus and beautiful lines. They have a high collection value, among which there is no lack of artistic works.

Western Silver Collection Difficulty and Solution The collection of silverware is a very elegant activity. Silverware collection and use are very common in countries all over the world, especially in developed countries. However, if you collect silverware from now on, it is certainly not easy, but silverware enthusiasts should still have confidence. As a Chinese, if you want to collect Western silverware, you must solve the following problems:

1. Price and financial strength High-quality, high-grade silverware is very expensive. It is now impossible to collect high-quality silverware if there is no considerable strength in the silverware collection. Because these silverware are rare in China, the price is quite high. For example, a pair of silver spoons made in the 17th century cost more than 10,000 yuan.

2. The ability to discriminate is the same as the collection of any works of art. The first encounter with a silverware can cause confusion. It is impossible to distinguish its origin and time, and it is difficult to determine its material and purity. After many years of evolution, all kinds of fakes, fakes, modified products and non-silver containers have become commonplace. For silverware enthusiasts, how to identify them is quite difficult.

3. Opportunity At present, it is unrealistic to want to easily receive antique silverware. Fans must work hard to find and visit various antique markets. At present, China's specialized market for silverware has not yet been seen, but there are many large and small antique markets, almost every province, although there are not many silverware that can be seen, but as long as the effort is reached, there will be gains. The collectors can also go to the auctions to search for which ones, and which ones will suddenly come up with a few good things. If you encounter this opportunity, do not miss it. There are two kinds of opportunities: One is to spend a small amount of money to buy a value item, commonly known as "Liao leakage", this time must be determined. The other is just running into a top grade, but it is expensive. Opportunities are fleeting, and even hesitating to make a mistake is a taboo for collectors.

4. Finding a teacher's previous collection experience is very important. Their experience is a textbook. If you have the privilege of meeting someone who has a good collection and knows all kinds of silverware and is a teacher, it will greatly shorten the history of a novice's collection.

5. There are related books in the West. There are quite a few works on silverware, including various monographs, albums, magazines, auction catalogs, and so on. These books are collector's guides and are of great benefit to collectors.

6. Remembering the logo of various silverware is just like a person’s identity card. Collectors must pay special attention. Memorizing various signs will bring great help to collectors. There were also those who did not carry signs in the early days of silverware, but most of them were inaccessible, and most of the “authentic” silverware produced in the middle and late periods were all marked. If a piece of silverware has no mark, or has an unseen mark, or if the mark is neither fish nor fowl, it would require extra care because they are likely to be counterfeit. But if the price is cheap, you may as well buy it, at least as a "contrast sample."

7. Paying attention to the appearance of the product refers to the intact condition of the vessel and the internal charm. The product phase is an important basis for determining the value of a silverware collection and cannot be ignored. Its merits and demerits are determined by factors such as the initial production and transfer to human factors. Looking at a piece of silverware, it should be seen whether it is complete or not.

8. Pay attention to the age and buy a contemporary silverware, it is better to collect a piece of silverware with a certain history. At least half of the history of the collection should be determined. Silverware produced in modern times is mostly used for machinery production, and some are also very expensive. For example, the price of a silver pot produced in Denmark today is as high as 50,000 yuan.

9. It is true that like other works of art, there are also quite a few fakes in silverware, and “false foreigners” are everywhere. If there is not a full grasp of a silverware, it should adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

10. In any case, when collecting a silverware, one of the most important rules must be mastered. That is, when you first see a silverware, it immediately gives you joy. When it has belonged to you, whenever you see it, It will make you happy, such a collection you will never want to lose. Collecting silverware is actually collecting happiness.

Silverware collection method 1. Similar artifact collections only collect the same kind of utensils. For example, the starting collector can be put away from the silver spoon. Spoons have a long history, and many are practical products, so the number is large and the scope of production is also very broad. Both early products and recent products have opportunities to meet. Numerous styles of different spoons appear in various periods of social development, which vividly reflects the production process and artistic style of silverware in various countries, regions and different historical periods. Through the collection of silver spoons, collectors can not only get a certain amount of collections, but also can gain a considerable amount of knowledge, which lays the foundation for further improvement of collection standards.

2. During a long period of history, the collection of silverware passed through different historical periods. Some collectors collect silverware for the same period according to their own conditions. For example, in the 16th and 17th centuries, a series of quite beautiful silverware were produced, and some large collectors specialized in the works of this period.

3. Art style collection silverware has different artistic styles. Some collectors collect silverware of the same artistic style, such as Baroque, Gothic, etc.

4. Time Series Collection This is a vertical collection method. For example, from the earliest silverware up to today's latest silverware. This collection method can clearly see the whole process of silverware development. Of course, there are many kinds of such collections and they are of a large scale. It is difficult to do without a certain amount of financial resources and energy.

5. The silverware of different countries and regions in the silverware world of a certain country or region has different characteristics. It is not easy to collect silverware from a certain country or region to a certain scale. For example, the silverware in Birmingham, England, has certain characteristics. It is also a remarkable thing to be able to collect the silverware produced at various times in the area.

6. The collection of silverware made by a certain silversmith has produced many excellent silversmiths in the history of silverware production, and also created some very outstanding masters. If the work of a special artist is a collection, it is a kind of high-level collection, from which it will be quite enjoyable and knowledgeable.

7. Collection of various emblems In many silverware, collectors should pay special attention to various emblems and can choose one of them for research and collection. Some clan emblems are special for families with a certain social status, and silverware with such crests has a considerable price.