Question 1

What is Mexican silver called?

Accepted Answer

Mexican silver is sometimes called plata, which is the Spanish word for silver. Pieces produced in the area surrounding the village of Taxco are usually referred to as Taxco silver. You'll find a variety of Mexican silver jewelry and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 2

How can you tell silver from silver plating?

Accepted Answer

To tell silver from silver plating, try holding a strong magnet near the item. If the magnet is attracted to the piece, it is most likely silver-plated, as solid silver is unlikely to be magnetic. You can also check the hallmarks. Markings that say silver plate, EP, EPNS, EPBM or BP indicate plating. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer evaluate the piece. Explore a large selection of silver jewelry, tableware and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Question 3

Is Mexican silver of good quality?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Mexican silver is generally considered to be of good quality. Most Mexican silver is 925 sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% base metal. Sterling silver has a visually appealing color and luster and resists scratching and tarnishing. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of Mexican silver jewelry.

Question 4

What was silver plate called?

Accepted Answer

The silver plate commonly used during the 18th century is Sheffield plate. It is a combination of silver and copper. By the mid 19th century, most silver plate pieces featured electroplating. Find a collection of Sheffield plate silver ware on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is the hallmark for silver plate?

Accepted Answer

The hallmark for silver plate depends on the manufacturer. Most often, companies do not place hallmarks on silver plate. This differs from sterling silver, which usually bears a 925 mark. In some cases, companies may stamp "plated" or a similar term, but this is uncommon. On 1stDibs, find a range of silver plate serveware and decorative objects.

Question 6

What is an antique silver plate?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

What is the mark for silver-plated?

Accepted Answer

The mark for silver plating varies. In the U.S., the most common markings are EP, EPNS, A1 and B1. A UK silver plate may feature a wide range of markings. You can find pictures of these identifying marks on trusted online resources and use them to determine if a particular piece is silver-plated. Alternatively, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can assist with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of silver wares.

Question 8

What is triple-plated silver?

Accepted Answer

Triple-plated silver is silverware manufactured with a certain technique. Specifically, the manufacturer has applied three layers of silver plating to the base metal during the production process to ensure its durability. You will sometimes see triple-plating described as "Treble Plate." Find a large selection of silverware from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is Sheffield silver plate?

Accepted Answer

Sheffield silver plate usually refers to electroplated silverware produced in Sheffield, England. Prior to electroplating, Sheffield silver was associated with a particular process of layered construction which consisted of copper and silver. Today, this older form of silver is usually referred to by collectors as “Old Sheffield Silver Plate.” Shop a collection of Sheffield silver from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 10

What is antique silver plating?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

What is the difference between a silver plate and a Sheffield plate?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a silver plate and a Sheffield plate is that one item is a type of the other. Silverplate, which is sometimes spelled silver-plate or silver plate, is the general name for any silver wares made predominantly of a base metal finished with a thin layer of pure silver.

Developed in the 1700s by Thomas Boulsover in Sheffield, England, Sheffield silverplate is a specific type of silverplate created by fusing silver with copper. This new material felt like silver but was substantially cheaper. It was then used to produce a variety of serveware, candlesticks, buttons, tea sets and more.

Find antique Sheffield silverplate and other silverplate objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Question 12

How do I tell if a teapot is silver or silver plated?

Accepted Answer

To tell if your teapot is silver or silver plated, look for markings. Sterling silver teapots often show some type of markings, while silver plate pieces rarely have hallmarks. An expert licensed appraiser can assist with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of expertly vetted silver teapots.

Question 13

How can you tell if a silver plate is real silver?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a silver plate is real silver, first try holding a magnet close to it. If the magnet sticks, the piece may be silver-plated, meaning that it is primarily a base metal with a thin layer of pure silver over top. Alternatively, a magnetic plate may be crafted out of an entirely different material that simply has a silver-tone appearance. You can also research any hallmarks on the plate using trusted online resources or ask a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to give their expert opinion on the material. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of silver plates.

Question 14

How do I identify silver plate marks?

Accepted Answer

To identify silver plate marks, first explore trusted online resources for some of the most frequently used examples. Most silver plate pieces will feature a purity marking, such as “EPNS” or “A1,” and markings corresponding to the maker. Photographing the maker's mark and performing a reverse image search may lead to a quick identification. If your search doesn't yield any results, try entering a description of the mark into the search engine or examining reference guides shared by trusted online resources to determine who produced your piece. From there, you can conduct further research to learn about your piece's age, pattern and other features. Another option is to have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer help you with the identification process. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of silver wares.

Question 15

Is silver-plate silverware valuable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some silver-plate silverware is valuable. However, the maker, age and style of silver-plated silverware are usually what make it valuable. From a material standpoint, silver plate contains very little pure silver, so the metal on its own is not very valuable. Find a wide range of silverware on 1stDibs.

Question 16

Does antique silver plate have any value?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Are silver-plated items hallmarked?

Accepted Answer

No, silver-plated items will not have a hallmark or ‘925’ stamp. Silver-plated refers to when an item, usually brass, has been coated in a thin layer of silver. You can shop a collection of authentic silver-plated items from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 18

How do you clean something that is silver plated?

Accepted Answer

Set the silver-plated item line glass bowl lined with aluminum foil. Mix boiling water with baking soda and pour over the item. After 5 to 10 minutes, remove the item, rinse under warm water, and dry.

Question 19

Does silver-plated flatware tarnish?

Accepted Answer

Silver-plated flatware does tarnish.

Question 20

How do you read silver plate hallmarks?

Accepted Answer

How you read silver plate hallmarks depends on the origin of the piece. Makers in different countries utilize varying systems for hallmarking their silver plate pieces, and these systems have evolved over time. For example, some British makers indicated the highest quality of silver plate with an A1 hallmark and the second highest with an A. Since there is so much variation, the best way to interpret hallmarks on a particular piece is to consult trusted online resources, a certified appraiser or a knowledgeable antiques dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a range of silver plate pieces.

Mexican Silver Plate

Vintage 1960s Mexican Platters and Serveware

Large 3 Section Los Castillo Silver Plate Azur Malachite Serving Dish 1960

Vintage 1970s Mexican Serving Pieces

Large Silver Plate Parrot Motif Sugar and Cream Jug

Vintage 1970s Mexican Serving Bowls

Large 1970s Emilia Castillo Silver Plate and Inlaid Turquoise Bowl

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Mexican Wood and Silver Plate Goose Signed, circa 1950

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pitchers

Silver Toucan Pitcher by Los Castillo

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Serving Pieces

Emilia Castillo Sterling Silver Hand-Wrought Lidded Butter Dish, 1990

Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Serving Bowls

Emilia Castillo Taxco Silver Tiger Malachite Inlay Reticulated Salad Bowl

Vintage 1960s Mexican Pitchers

Los Castillo Silverplate Hand Hammered Parrot Motif Pitcher

Early 2000s Mexican Centerpieces

Super Rare Miguel Pineda Silverplate and Enamel Footed Bowl 1955

20th Century Mexican Pitchers

Los Castillo Silverplate Floral Motif Pitcher

Vintage 1960s Mexican Animal Sculptures

Los Castillo Silver Plated Paperweight

Vintage 1970s Mexican Pitchers

Taxco Handwrought Silverplate Parrot Pitcher

Vintage 1970s Mexican Pitchers

Los Castillo Silverplate and Azur Malachite Parrot Motif Pitcher

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Pitchers

Los Castillo Silverplate Fish Motif Pitcher

Late 20th Century Mexican Pitchers

Taxco Handwrought Silverplate Mother of Pearl Pitcher

Late 20th Century Mexican Pitchers

Los Castillo Silverplate Bird Motif Pitcher

Late 20th Century Mexican Pitchers

Los Castillo Silverplate Exotic Bird Handle Pitcher

Vintage 1980s Mexican Serving Pieces

Los Castillo Silverplate Beehive Honey Pot ca 1990 with 3-D BEE

Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Pitchers

"Pregnant Duck" water pitcher in the manner of Henning Koppel

Vintage 1970s Mexican Sheffield and Silverplate

Los Castillo Silverplate Natural Stone Butterfly Motif Ashtray

Late 20th Century Mexican Serving Pieces

Los Castillo Silverplate Handmade Square Tray

Late 20th Century Mexican Serving Pieces

Los Castillo Silverplate Apple Form Sugar and Creamer with Tray

Vintage 1950s Mexican Centerpieces

Abalone and Mother-of-Pearl Centerpiece Bowl by Los Castillo

Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Figurative Sculptures

Silver Plated Male Torso Sculpture by Zanfelds

Early 2000s Mexican More Furniture and Collectibles

Emilia Castillo Ceramic Plate with Sterling Silver Overlay

Early 2000s Mexican More Furniture and Collectibles

Emilia Castillo Ceramic Serving Plate with Sterling Silver Overlay

Vintage 1980s Mexican Bohemian Picture Frames

Vintage Mexican Abalone Shell Decorative Picture Frame

Vintage 1970s Mexican More Candle Holders

Pair of Ram s Horn and Silver Candle Holders

Vintage 1950s Mexican Sculptures

Los Castillos Silver and Abalone Shell Madonna

Vintage 1950s Mexican Decorative Bowls

Los Castillo Hand-Wrought Silverplate Covered Bowl Azur Malachite 1955

Early 2000s Mexican Sculptures

Los Castillo Silverplate Virgin Mary Statue

Vintage 1980s Mexican Decorative Bowls

Los Castillo Silverplate Figural Parrot Motif Bowl

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...

Hand Crafted Los Castillo Mixed Metal Tray

Mexican Silver Plate For Sale on 1stDibs

How Much is a Mexican Silver Plate?

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