Glossary

ALLOY
A metal resulting from the mixture of two or more metals.
APPLIED BORDER
cast or rolled border soldered onto a piece of hollow-ware.
CHASING
decoration in high or low relief, achieved by punches which push the surface into patterns.
COIN SILVER
Up until the Civil War, most holloware was made from melted coins which were made of silver assayed at 900 parts pure silver to every 1,000 parts, 25 parts lower than the sterling standard.
CUT-CARD
decorative technique similar to applique-work in sewing. Thin sheets of silver are cut into patterns which are then applied as ornamentation.
DIE CUTTING
process where a master pattern is reproduced in steel to form a die from which an identical article of a softer metal can be stamped out.
DIE ROLLED
Metal that is die rolled has been put through a rolling machine wherein the rollers (i.e. the die) have been engraved with a design that is pressed into the metal as it passes through. Also, objects, patterns, etc. can be rolled in a rolling mill between two sheets of metal thereby imparting a design.
ELECTROPLATE
base metals coated with pure silver when electrical currents pass through a plating bath which deposits the silver on the base metal.
EMBOSSING
decorating process of working in relief on piece’s back.
ENGRAVING
designs achieved by cutting the surface of metal by the use of sharp tools - called gravers.
OXIDIZING
method used to accentuate the ornamentation by applying an oxide which darkens the metal.
PATINA
consists of both color and the physical characteristics taken on by the silver after years of use and can easily be removed by overpolishing or re-finishing. It is a very important factor when determining the value of antique silver, and, just as the finish of antique furniture affects it's value, so does patina make antique silver more valuable and desirable. It does not usually affect the value or desirablity of newer silver.
REPOUSSE
process of working from behind by hammering then giving further definition to the relief by chasing up from the front.
SHEFFIELD PLATE
made by fusing silver to both sides of a base metal. Widely used method from 1765 to 1840.
SILVER
sterling silver - 925 parts pure silver and 75 parts alloy (usually copper). Continental silver varies from 0.800 to 0.833. In England, 925 is always called silver, not sterling.
SILVERPLATE
a base metal, usually an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc, which is electroplated with silver.
SOLDERING
is a process of attaching bases, handles, fittings, or bowl bodies by fusing the metallic surfaces together with a soldering iron.
TROY OUNCE (oz)
unit of weight employed by silversmiths. One pound equals 14.58 troy ozs; one ounce is .91 troy ozs and 31.1 gramms is troy ozs
VERMEIL
Gilded silver.