Five Good Reasons To Invest In Antique Silver
1. Intrinsic Value
Good quality silver will always maintain an intrinsic value, despite market oscillations, as this graph clearly demonstrates the silver value growth for the past two decades.
Antiques are not subject to inflation or interest rates variations. They are stable investment, and one you can enjoy anytime.
2. Functionality
Antique silver is not just decorative. Silver is hard-wearing and durable and its design is often functional and practical. Teas sets, cutlery, trays, jugs and all sorts of tableware are meant to be used and enjoyed in daily life as well as special ocasions.
Wouldn’t it be fascinating the idea of owning a piece of history you could serve dinner on?
3. Investment
The antique silver market is constantly growing and expanding. The interest toward fine silver objects and manufacture has now reached a global scale outside Europe, with China and Russia being the new protagonists of this rise. Chinese silver has in fact jumped up considerably in value over the last few years with Indian & Burmese silver following the same trend.
19th Century Indian Cutch silver three piece tea set, modeled as Black Francolins standing on snakes, textured all over with a scalloped pattern and with large feathers detailed on the wings; the large francolin as teapot with its head hinging open along the beak to serve as spout and the serpent's tail entwined around its neck serving as handle with ivory insulators; small francolin with hinged head and raised wings as milk jug, the other as sugar bowl with hinged back. The base of the teapots foot is stamped O.M BHUJ.
19th Century Chinese Export solid silver vase, impressive and exceptionally fine, baluster form body fully chased and embossed with a dense scene of battles and receptions before nobility, the plain neck engraved with a floral band, standing on a plain detachable, screwed on base. Not hallmarked but judging by the style and quality the vase is undeniably made by the Wang Hing Company.
Reference Number: A5158
20th Century Burmese, Myanmar silver 4-piece tea and coffee set on a presentation tray, comprising of teapot, coffee pot, lidded sugar bowl, lidded cream jug, each piece is highly-decorative, chased and repoussed with various scenes from Burmese mythology. Each piece is applied with a cast figural handles and each spout terminates with a mythical naga head, each cover is surmounted by a dancing female figure.
Acid tested to show 900 grade silver. The tray bears a presentation inscription 'Presented to F.C.Kennedy C.I.E, General Manager Irrawaddy Flotilla Co Ltd as a mark of asteem by the commanders of the Flotilla Co Ltd....6th October 1903' The Irrawaddy Flotilla company was a Scottish-owned passenger and ferry company, which operated services on the Irrawaddy river in Burma.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A4658
4. Renowned Silversmiths
As they grow in age, fine antique silver will increase in rarity and therefore in value. Exceptional pieces by some of the most famous silversmiths such as Fabergé, Paul Storr & Maison Odiot are sought after by the biggest international museums and world's most selective collectors.
19th Century French Solid Silver figural ewer, raised on a circular foot applied with cast Mythological figures, the tall baluster body is chased and applied with four allegories of the seasons surrounded by scrolling foliage decoration, the front is applied with a cast Satyr holding a cup, the large handle is applied with scrolling foliage and surmounted by a nude nymph squeezing grapes in the jug.
The base is Hallmarked French silver (Minerva's head, 950), Paris, year 1870-80, Maker's mark for Jean-Baptiste Gustave Odiot.
Reference Number: A3522
20th Century Imperial Russian silver-gilt and guilloche enamel cigarette case, rectangular form with rounded corners, body enameled in translucent red over a chevron ground, the ends mounted with finely engraved gold leaf boarder, lid mounted with a cabochon emerald thumb piece, inside is richly parcel gilded.
Hallmarked Russian silver 88 (916 standard), St-Petersburg, year 1899-1908, Maker's mark W.H for Henrik Wigstrom, also marked Faberge.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A4225
19th Century Georgian silver figural table salt, after a design by William Theed a world renowned English born sculptor, the salt cast as a kneeling Triton pulling a shell with his tails flanked on each side, on a rectangular plinth with vitruvian chased scroll boarder on matted ground, standing on four ball shaped caster feet. Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 1813 (S), Maker's mark PS for Paul Storr.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A4360
5. Hallmarks
When you buy high-end silver pieces, the hallmarks will ensure age and provenance of the object minimizing the risk of your investment.
Antique silver is a profitable long-term investment if done cautiously, with the support of an expert. If you are planning to expand your collection or starting a new one, we are here at your service.
For more information, don't hesitate to contact us. We're always at your service.
