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Antique Chinese Silver

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Set of 16 Antique Kangxi Period Chinese Porcelain Fishermen Teaset Cup Saucer
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Type / Colour: Blood & Milk Region of Origin: China Emperor: Yongzheng (1722-1735) Period: 18th century
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Mug
By Leeching
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver mug with flowers and foliage engraved within decorative panels; and a
Category

1870s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Little Circular Chinese Porcelain Bowl Sung Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Chinese porcelain bowl made of glazed porcelain adorned with flowers petal and engravings. 12th
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Kny Attributed Stourbridge Engraved Glass Pitcher with Chinese Dragons
By Stevens Williams
Located in Philadelphia, PA
side with engraved & etched designs of 2 Chinese dragons chasing a pearl amongst clouds. A possibly
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Glass, Cut Glass

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Punch Bowl
Located in Richmond, VA
Early 19th century Chinese export punchbowl.
Category

Early 19th Century Hong Kong Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

19th-Century Blue Delft China Willow Chinoiserie Platter Antique Table Decor
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Bottom is rimless and showing makers ribbing/smoothing marks, indicating very early 19th century production. No fading which is uncommon so the artwork is dark, bright and clear, thi...
Category

Early 1800s Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Stoneware

Antique Ming Chinese Porcelain Tazza on Foot Landscape Scene, Early 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
& Pottery Region of Origin: China Emperor: Tianqi (1620-1627), Wanli (1572-1620) Period: 17th century China
Category

17th Century Chinese Ming Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl, profusely decorated with dragons among clouds on a matte background
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Stunning Antique Chinese Warrior Mother of Pearl Inliad Paper Mache Dinner Tray
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this absolutely exquisite circa 1880 Chinese Export warrior paper mache
Category

1880s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Paper

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl, profusely decorated with chrysanthemum, prunus, iris, and bamboo, and
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Porcelain Lampion Rouge de Fer Butter Tureen Qianlong, 18th Cen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 18th century Qing (1661 - 1912) Age
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Large Wooden Stand for Chinese or Japanese Antique Porcelain, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Region of Origin: China Period: 19th or early 20th c Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: The size
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Wood

Pair of Antique Chinese Enamel Bronze Cantonese Tea Cups, 18/19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
information: Material: Bronze & Cloisonne Region of Origin: China Emperor: Qianlong (1735-1796) Period: 18th
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Bronze

Antique Chinese Porcelain Kangxi Period Tea Bowl Floral Imari Cafe au Lait
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
& Teapots Category: Blue & White Emperor: Kangxi (1661-1722) Region of Origin: China Period: 17th century
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Large antique 19th century quality Chinese porcelain bowl
Located in Ipswich, GB
Large antique 19th century quality Chinese porcelain bowl, having fantastic floral decoration
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Chinese Canton Enamel Plate
Located in New Orleans, LA
This enchanting Chinese plate, known as Canton enamel, evokes the intrigue and exclusivity of the
Category

18th Century Other Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Enamel

Antique Flow Blue and White Transferware Ironstone Platter Dish w Chinese Dragon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Flow Blue and White Transferware Ironstone Large Platter Dish with Chinese Dragon
Category

Early 1800s Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 6 Antique Chinese Porcelain Yongzheng/Qianlong White Blue Dinner Plates
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 18th century Qing (1661 - 1912) Age: Pre-1800
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 6 Antique Chinese Porcelain Plates Rooster Rock in Garden Qianlong
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 18th century Qing (1661 - 1912) Condition: Overall
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Porcelain Kangxi Period Salt Shaker China Qing Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
China, Kangxi period.Sharing with you this blue and white chinese porcelain item. A small salt
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Islamic Market "Fitzhugh" Shallow Bowls
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Pair of rare and fine Antique Chinese export Porcelain "Fitzhugh" pattern shallow bowls with Arabic
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Top Level Dragon Plated Fruit Basket or Serving Chinese Qing Metal, ca 1900
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Interesting and delicately made plated dragon fruit bowl. Uncertain about material silver, brass
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Sweetmeat Dishes
Located in Forney, TX
An antique Qing Dynasty Chinese sweetmeat (confectionery or sweet food) box, dating to the early
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Circular Dish, circa 1760
Located in New York, NY
The upturn rim with four cartouches depicting birds on branches alternating with floral decoration the center with figures in a outdoor garden.
Category

1760s Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Five Foley China St Andrews Golf
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Wileman & Co. Foley China Five Piece St Andrews Golf Ceramic Set. A set of five ceramics
Category

1910s British Sporting Art Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Chinese Ming Porcelain Floral Plate Rare Design Marked Base, 17th Cen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
included Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 17th
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 3 Antique Chinese Porcelain Kangxi/Yongzheng Blue White Dinner Plates 18C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 18th century China Dynasty Period
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Tea Set Chinese Porcelain Dish Cornelis Pronk ‘Dame Au Parasol’ Pattern, 18th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese Export Porcelain saucer dish and Cup after the ‘Dame Au Parasol’ design by Cornelis Pronk
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Circa 1913 "Chinese Bird". Handled Bowls
By William Adams
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of handled bowls from England in the highly collectible "Chinese Bird" pattern. The pattern
Category

1910s English Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 5 Antique Qianlong Period Chinese Porcelain Floral Tea Bowls with Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Chinese Qianlong period set of cups and saucers. Fine potting and handpainting. Additional
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain "George Brander Murder" Milk Jug Chine De Commande, 18th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Region of Origin: China Original/Reproduction: Original Emperor: Qianlong (1735-1796) Period: 18th
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Cup
By Wang Hing Co.
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Cup with dragon handles, and with birds and bamboo chased and embossed
Category

1890s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

English Flow Blue China Plate
Located in Clearwater, FL
Antique English flow blue transferware plate stamped Regent.
Category

1890s English Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Wonderful pair of antique Georgian stone china plates
Located in Ipswich, GB
Wonderful pair of antique Georgian stone china plates, having a fantastic shaped edge, decorated in
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Ko Akae Plate Chinese porcelain Wucai 17th C (1621-1627) Ming Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
is a style of decoration that originated in the Ming Dynasty in China, and was popular in Japan
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain BLood Milk Tea Set Pronk Dame au Parasol, 18th Cen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Chinese Porcelain BLood & Milk Tea Set Pronk Dame au Parasol, 18th Century. its a mariage
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl circa 1890, with later blue glass liner. The bowl is pierced and has
Category

1880s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese export silver bowl on plain round pedestal base. The decoration is of two applied opposing
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

1900s Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Bao Cheng
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver bowl; an addition to our Asian
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Set of 4 Antique Chinese Blood Milk / Tea Bowl Flowers Porcelain Qing Dynasty
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
very high quality. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Card Case
By Wang Hing Co.
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Card Case, circa 1890, embossed and chased with a dragon among clouds on one
Category

1890s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Mason s Ironstone China Plate
Located in Clearwater, FL
A beautifully hand painted Edwardian era Mason's Ironstone plate with columns and florals. England, circa 1900s.
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Ironstone

19th Century Minton Chinese Tree Plate
Located in Clearwater, FL
An early antique Minton Chinese Tree chinoiserie plate with gilt scalloped edge. Chinese tree with
Category

1870s English Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Goblet
By Wang Hing Co.
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Goblet, with prunus decoration. The goblet weighs 258g and dates from around
Category

1880s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Japanese Wood Slab Stand for Chinese or Japanese Antique Porcelain, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
of Origin: China Period: 19th or early 20th c Condition: Very Good Dimensions: The size of the usable
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 6 Antique Chinese Porcelain Tea Chine de Commande Qianlong Period, 18thC
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Origin: China Period: 18th century Qing (1661 - 1912) Age: Pre-1800 Original/Reproduction: Original
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ormolu Bronze Mounted Terrine, 18th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique 18th century chinese famille rose India Company ormolu bronze mounted terrine porcelain
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Samson French Porcelain Chinese Style Triangular Lidded Teacaddy
By Samson Cie
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine French Chinese Qianlong (18th century) style porcelain teacaddy and cover attributed to
Category

19th Century French Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 6 Antique Kangxi Chinese Porcelain Floral Cup Saucer Tea Set, 18th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
what seems to be a grain stalk. circa 1700, China. Additional information: Material: Porcelain
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

#10 Antique Chinese Porcelain 18th C Yongzheng/Qianlong Kraak Blue White dinner
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated SET of Dishes in Blue and white, Kangxi Period in Japanese Kraak Style. Around 1700. Decorated with flowers and birds Condition Very good condition. Minor fr...
Category

18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Silver Wine Jug, Sadajiro Musashiya, circa 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
read Chinese export silver: The Yokohama Conundrum, by Adrien Von Ferscht).
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese 18th century Porcelain and French 19th century Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality Chinese 18th century Porcelain and French 19th century Louis XVI st
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Ormolu

Faience Dish and Plate by Jules Vieillard Chinese Decor France 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Old Dish by Jules viellard for Bordeaux. This Dish is in Faience, and has been made in France,during the 19th. The plate is from another manufacturer. The colors are blue. It is signed.
Category

19th Century Chinese Export Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Faience

Antique Chinese Porcelain Blue White Dinner Set Kangxi/Yongzheng Period, 18th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
/ Colour: Blue & White Region of Origin: China Emperor: Kangxi (1661-1722), Yongzheng (1722-1735) Period
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese 18th century Porcelain and French 19th century Ormolu centerpieces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant pair of Chinese 18th century Famille Rose Porcelain and French 19th century Louis
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Ormolu

Set of 2 Antique Chinese Porcelain Tea Bowl Cup Saucer Amsterdam Bont, 18th Cen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Type: Tea Bowls & Cups, Tea Drinking Region of Origin: China
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Porcelain

Little Circular Chinese Stoneware Bowl Sung 1 Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
A circular glazed stoneware adorned with cloud engravings. 12th-14th century – Sung period. This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any object in Italy creat...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Silver

Materials

Stoneware

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Antique Chinese Silver For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the piece of antique Chinese silver you’re looking for. Frequently made of ceramic, porcelain and metal, every item from our selection of antique Chinese silver was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect choice in our collection of antique Chinese silver — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. Each object in our assortment of antique Chinese silver bearing Georgian, Victorian or Art Nouveau hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one option in this array of antique Chinese silver that is appealing in its simplicity, but Wang Hing Co., Luen Wo and Hung Chong Co. produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Antique Chinese Silver?

The average selling price for a piece of antique Chinese silver at 1stDibs is $1,902, while they’re typically $50 on the low end and $188,800 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Dining-entertaining for You

Your dining room table is a place where stories are shared and personalities shine — why not treat yourself and your guests to the finest antique and vintage glass, silver, ceramics and serveware for your meals?

Just like the people who sit around your table, your serveware has its own stories and will help you create new memories with your friends and loved ones. From ceramic pottery to glass vases, set your table with serving pieces that add even more personality, color and texture to your dining experience.

Invite serveware from around the world to join your table settings. For special occasions, dress up your plates with a striking Imari charger from 19th-century Japan or incorporate Richard Ginori’s Italian porcelain plates into your dining experience. Celebrate the English ritual of afternoon tea with a Japanese tea set and an antique Victorian kettle. No matter how big or small your dining area is, there is room for the stories of many cultures and varied histories, and there are plenty of ways to add pizzazz to your meals.

Add different textures and colors to your table with dinner plates and pitchers of ceramic and silver or a porcelain lidded tureen, a serving dish with side handles that is often used for soups. Although porcelain and ceramic are both made in a kiln, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is more durable than ceramic because it is denser. The latter is ideal for statement pieces — your tall mid-century modern ceramic vase is a guaranteed conversation starter. And while your earthenware or stoneware is maybe better suited to everyday lunches as opposed to the fine bone china you’ve reserved for a holiday meal, handcrafted studio pottery coffee mugs can still be a rich expression of your personal style.

“My motto is ‘Have fun with it,’” says author and celebrated hostess Stephanie Booth Shafran. “It’s yin and yang, high and low, Crate Barrel with Christofle silver. I like to mix it up — sometimes in the dining room, sometimes on the kitchen banquette, sometimes in the loggia. It transports your guests and makes them feel more comfortable and relaxed.”

Introduce elegance at supper with silver, such as a platter from celebrated Massachusetts silversmith manufacturer Reed and Barton or a regal copper-finish flatware set designed by International Silver Company, another New England company that was incorporated in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1898. By then, Meriden had already earned the nickname “Silver City” for its position as a major hub of silver manufacturing.

At the bar, try a vintage wine cooler to keep bottles cool before serving or an Art Deco decanter and whiskey set for after-dinner drinks — there are many possibilities and no wrong answers for tableware, barware and serveware. Explore an expansive collection of antique and vintage glass, ceramics, silver and serveware today on 1stDibs.

Questions About Antique Chinese Silver
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Yes, some Chinese silver is valuable. The term largely refers to silverware manufactured in and exported from China from 1870 through the 1940s. How much a particular piece of Chinese silver is worth depends on its style, age, condition and overall demand. Consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer for assistance with valuation. Shop a wide range of Chinese silver tableware, jewelry and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify Chinese silver, first look for hallmarks in an inconspicuous area, such as on the bottom or interior. Most pieces will feature four markings. The first is a series of Chinese characters corresponding to the artisan who produced it. The second is the name of the retailer who sold it, usually printed in English. Chinese silver will also usually display the city of manufacture in either Chinese characters or English and a purity mark. Purity markings vary and may include numbers like “935” or “900,” the words “STERLING” or “SOLID SILVER” or Chinese characters that translate to "pure silver." You can learn more about your silver wares by comparing the markings on your pieces to information published on trusted online resources. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also assist with the identification process. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Chinese silver.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024
    What antique silver is depends on the context. In many cases, the term refers to silverware and silver decorative objects produced more than 100 years ago. However, antique silver may also be the name of a distressed silver finish frequently used on lighting fixtures and bathroom fixtures. Explore a selection of antique silver wares on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    The difference between silver and antique silver is age. Items of any age made of silver or a silver alloy may be called silver. The term antique silver refers to silver pieces that are at least 100 years old. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique, vintage and modern silver tableware and decorative objects.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Whether or not antique silver is real depends on the piece. Sometimes, manufacturers simply call a gray-silver finish antique silver. In these cases, the item is usually not real silver. It is possible for antique silver to be pure silver, sterling or silver plated. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of silver decorative objects and jewelry.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Silver-plating refers to the process of applying a thin layer of silver overtop of a base metal, such as copper, nickel or pewter. An antique silver-plated item would have gone through this same process. Shop a collection of expertly vetted antique silver plate items from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Antique silver plates are antique plates made from either pure silver or have been silver-plated. Silver is a timeless material that’s been popular for centuries, and antique silver is always highly regarded. Shop a collection of antique silver plates from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify silver antiques, search for a maker's mark on the base, handle, interior and other inconspicuous areas. Using trusted online resources, research the maker to find out when it was in business and browse online catalogues and image galleries, looking for pieces that resemble yours. Doing so can help you get a rough idea of when your silver objects were manufactured. To be classified as antique, an item must be at least 100 years old. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also assist with the identification process. On 1stDibs, explore a range of antique silver decorative objects.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 12, 2024
    What antique silver is made of varies. In most cases, antique silver is sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloys. You can also find antique silver jewelry and decorative objects made out of other silver alloys, like fine silver, which is 99.9% silver and only 0.1% alloys. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of silver pieces from some of the world's top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Antique silver plating is a thin layer of genuine silver applied over top of a base metal. Depending on the piece, the main metal may be copper, brass or nickel. You'll find a range of antique silver-plated decorative objects on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Sterling silver is an alloyed form of silver, and is made up of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% copper. An antique sterling silver item will have the same silver content and will be over 100 years old. Shop a collection of expertly vetted antique sterling silver from some of the worlds top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    Antique silver is a type of silver that is at least a century old. Find a diverse range of intricately designed, elegant antique silver decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
  • PAGODA RED
    PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020

    To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.

  • Lotus Gallery
    Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020

    The best way to know is to take it to an expert, such as an appraiser, reputable dealer or auction house, or museum

  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    To identify antique Chinese furniture, look carefully at its details. Chinese craftsmen often built furniture using mortise and tenon joinery, eliminating the need for nails and screws. If you see this type of hardware, your piece is likely not at least 100 years old, especially if the hardware still looks new and shiny. Since antique furniture was handmade, you will normally see slight imperfections, such as tool marks or slight variations in carvings. Pieces that appear completely uniform and pristine are less often genuine antiques.

    When present, maker's marks can also be helpful. Research the marks to learn more about when the maker was active and producing pieces like yours. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer evaluate your furniture for you.

    Shop an assortment of antique Chinese furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    Whether antique silverware is real silverware or not varies. Many antique flatware pieces feature silver plate, so they consist of a base metal beneath a layer of genuine silver. There is also flatware made entirely from sterling silver, which is an alloy that is 92.5% silver and 7.5% base metal. Researching the hallmarks found on your silverware using trusted online resources can help you determine whether the items are sterling silver or silver plate. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique silverware.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    Yes, some antique sterling silver is valuable. Sterling silver of any age has value as a material because it is a precious metal. Some pieces may be worth even more than the going rate for sterling due to their maker, style, type and condition. Some silversmiths whose pieces are often in demand among collectors include Tiffany Co., Georg Jensen, Gorham Manufacturing Company and Towle. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of antique sterling silver wares.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    Whether antique silverplate has any value depends on a variety of factors. The design of the piece, who made it and decoration are among the biggest determiners of value. Generally, rarer pieces that remain in good condition will be worth the most. Today, just as pewter collectibles and sterling silver are popular with collectors at neighborhood flea markets, antique Sheffield silverplate housewares are sought after for their appearance and rich history. Consider having the piece evaluated by a knowledgeable antiques dealer or certified appraiser to get an accurate estimate of how much it's worth. On 1stDibs, find antique silverplate from some of the world's top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Sterling silver is considered antique if it was made over 100 years ago. Many antique sterling silver items will have a mark or stamp. First, clean the item and check for marks. A “925” mark indicates a silver purity of 92.5 percent, which is the composition of sterling silver. If you don’t see a mark, work with a certified appraiser to acid test the item and determine the silver content. You’ll find expertly vetted antique sterling silver items on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To tell if a silver spoon is an antique, seek the assistance of a licensed and experienced appraiser. Many antique pieces lack marks, and it is generally not possible to determine the type and age of metal through a simple visual inspection. Shop a collection of expertly vetted antique silver spoons on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    While antique silver plate can be worth something, it is not usually as valuable compared with contemporary pieces or similar sterling silver antiques.