Glass, Silver, Plate, Enamels, Metalwork
Of ancient glass probably the best-known example in the world is the
Portland Vase in the British Museum; this is composed of a layer of white glass over blue
glass, the outer coating skilfully...
Silver is a so-called 'noble' metal, both its appearance and its uses
have earned it this title. It has been employed for many centuries for coinage, jewellery
and for making useful and ornamental...
Of the earlier pieces of silver not a great number have survived, and
most of them are in churches, museums or otherwise unlikely to come on the open market.
Enormous quantities were melted...
The sale at Sothebys in London of a silver dinner service made in Paris
between 1735 and 1738 focused attention on foreign silver. The 168 pieces, made by the
eminent silversmith Jacques Roettier, which had...
American silver was made first in the mid-seventeenth century, and for
a considerable time after showed strong foreign influences: Dutch, French and Scandinavian
clearly being discernible in many...
The manufacture of Sheffield plate was made possible by the discovery
in 1743 that plates of silver and copper could be fused together to form one indivisible
sheet of metal. Thus, an article could...
Enamels are types of glass, clear or opaque, used for painting on
porcelain and also for decorating metals. The latter include bronze, copper, silver and
gold. There are several different...
Stones from comparatively hard jade to the aptly named soap-stone have
always presented a challenge to the craftsman. Whenever they were to be found in suitable
size and shape it was an invitation...
Ivory has been used for making works of art from Biblical times
onwards. The comparative ease with which it can be manipulated and its durable nature have
always attracted craftsmen of all nations...
Collectable Antiques: