Sheffield Silverplate

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Sheffield Plate offered consumers a more affordable alternative to sterling silver. Today, these early works of silver plate often command as high or sometimes higher prices than their sterling counterparts. The reason is simple, collectors recognize the significance and beauty of early Sheffield Plate, especially pieces by the great Sheffield makers like Matthew Boulton.

Remarkably, the process of creating this high quality silver plate happened quite by accident, but it was an accident that would eventually allow people outside of the ruling classes and aristocracy to enjoy the grandeur of fine silver. From the 18th through 19th centuries, Sheffield Plate pieces were in great demand and were being manufactured not only in Sheffield England, but also in Birmingham as well as in France and Russia. Almost all silver plate produced during this time is known as Old Sheffield Plate. In subsequent years it became known simply as Sheffield Plate.

Of course, Sheffield Plate was as much a part of its time as many other art forms. It was a product of the Industrial Revolution, though manufacturers like Boulton were able to maintain an extraordinary level of quality without sacrificing the principles of production. Unfortunately, Sheffield Plate, born of this revolution of manufacturing, also fell victim to it a short time later, when cheaper and quicker electroplating was introduced early in the 19th century.