by Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson
Scripps Howard News Service
Dear Helaine and Joe: This silver and glass pitcher was given to my grandfather before 1900. It is 11-1/2 inches tall and 5-1/2 inches wide; the glass color is cranberry. On the silver are the words "sterling silver deposit." It is in perfect condition and I would like to know its history and value.
--E.R.T., Aiken, S.C.
Dear E.R.T.: This is truly a magnificent tankard pitcher. Originally, there likely were matching glasses, but the fact that they are now missing does not detract greatly from this lovely piece.
Some sources say that the technique of applying silver to glass started in the 1880s. Others report a slightly later date, in the 1890s. Whichever is correct, the shape and design of the example belonging to E.R.T. suggests that it is circa 1900 and would not have been made much before 1895 or so.
During the time it was made, the term "silver deposit" was applied to this glassware, but it was also called "silver overlay," "silver inlay," "silver-electroplated glass" and "solid deposit."
There were two very distinct ways of making this type of product. Collectors now form a distinction between these two methods of manufacture, calling pieces made from one "silver deposit" and the other "silver overlay." The other terms have disappeared from general use.
What collectors now call "silver deposit" was made by painting a pattern on the surface of a piece of glass with a mixture of ingredients such as borax, oxide of lead, white arsenic and powdered silver flux. After this was done, it was fired in a kiln to set the design. The piece of glass then was placed in an electroplating bath, which fixed the silver onto the painted design but not onto the glass itself. The result was that there was a slightly raised, pure silver design on the surface of the glass.
"Silver overlay," on the other hand, was made by applying a pierced and cut-out pattern of sterling silver to the outside of the glass, and this is the method used to embellish the pitcher belonging to E.R.T. The silver on "silver deposit" tends to be very thin and is easily worn away and damaged, while the silver on "silver deposit" is thicker, more substantial and less prone to damage.
Collectors much prefer "silver overlay" to "silver deposit" and will pay a premium for "silver overlay" examples with colored glass bases. "Silver overlay" pieces with ruby, cranberry, green or cobalt-blue glass are much more desirable than the same type of sterling-silver design found on clear or amber glass.
E.R.T.'s tankard pitcher, which was primarily designed to serve champagne and punch, is a premium piece. On the current market its insurance replacement value is between $3,500 and $4,000.
(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of Treasures in Your Attic. Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.)
Resources Treasures In Your Attic
by Joe L. Rosson, Helaine Fendelman (ISBN: 0060198273)
Subtitled: An entertaining, informative, down-to-earth guide to a wide range of collectibles and antiques from the hosts of the popular television show seen on PBS stations.
(Harper Resource, April 2001)
Order this
title.
Treasures In Your Attic
c/o WSJK/WKOP-TV
1611 E. Magnolia Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-595-0220
Fax: 865-595-0300
Email:
elaine_tomber@wsjk.pbs.org
URL:
www.treasuresinyourattic.org
)
