hallmarked silver

Hallmarked antique silverware is quite popular in UK as a decorative home adornment. It helps in adding a royal and elegant feel to your living room. It could be anything from a hallmarked silver spoon, a hallmarked Victorian silver tea set to a hallmarked silver photo frame.

A silver object is hallmarked in an Assay office where it is tested for purity of the metal. Once the purity of the silver is ascertained it is marked via a hammer and a punch with the hallmark of that particular nation. In United Kingdom this silver is also known as Sterling silver and it also has a highly structured hallmarking system.

The hallmark on a UK based Sterling silver provides a lot of information about the object. A British hallmark normally features four hallmark stamps with the first stamp indicating the purity of the silver which is usually a Lion Passant. The next stamp indicates the date of the silver while the third stamp indicates the place where the silverware was manufactured. Usually a fourth stamp depicting the manufacturer’s Insignia is also present.

Due to the accuracy of the UK hallmarking system, the British hallmarked silverware is always in great demand. Many hallmarked silver products like a hallmarked silver table set, a hallmarked silver toast rack and so on are available. One can buy them in one of the leading stores and also online as well.