Lovely article about silver

Charles Boyton II silverware for sale at Just Pip It 

Hose_dk from Silver-collector.com


When I talk to Americans they think that the only silver that exists is sterling. Nothing could be more incorrect.

Silver is regulated during hundreds of years according to strict regulation and under heavy punishment – even down to boiling of people who did not apply to the regulations. The use of silver was regulated and controlled. In Denmark silver has been regulated since the 1300dreds and from 1608 a mark with 3 towers has been stamped to all silver objects – no matter how small it was. So please forget all about sterling=silver.

In the old days silver was measured in 16 parts. (Called Lødighed) – 16 lødigt is pure silver. In Denmark good silver was 13½ lod. Representing 13½ part of silver and 2½ part of copper. And please mind marked with 3 towers since 1608 – and at that time – what was USA? (Now I have made myself some enemies here)

Today silver is measured in 1.000 parts. Sterling is 925 parts of 1.000 – French silver has in periods been 950 parts of 1.000 thereby containing more silver than sterling.
German standard is 800, Norwegian is 830, Danish is 830, Swedish the same. So please bear in mind that today we do not buy silver for the contents of silver versus cobber. We buy silver for the beauty and the craftsmanship that the silversmith put in the object rather than some national standard of silver contents.

Silver objects cannot be made out of pure silver (i.e. 1.000). Silver is a soft material and it would be destroyed in use. Therefore we add copper to the silver.

To explain how - imagine that we represent 1.000 silver with a glass of milk. We have some water and the water represent copper. Take 800 ml of milk and mix it with 200 ml of water.
We now have a mixture of milk and water and we cannot separate the two liquids. That is silver partly pure silver added a material copper to make it hard. That is silver.


Silver plated has nothing to do with silver. Silver plated is a base material normally copper, alpaca or nickel silver, or German silver, Brittannia metal or similar. Products that have nothing what so ever to do with silver. Nickel silver and the others look like silver – copper does not. But all these products (base metals) are electroplated (except German and Brittannia silver they look like silver but are not)

Silver plated I will explain by a slice of bread and butter. The slice of bread is the base metal i.e. copper. The butter is silver. You put butter on the bread – and so you do when you make silver plated. In theory you can remove the butter from the slice of bread – the same you can do with silver plated.

As you can understand silver plated is 99% of base metal and a very very very thin layer of silver on top. The layer is so thin that you can polish it off and then you can see the base material through the silver plate. That is what we can see when we have an old spoon etc we can see something red where the silver has been worn off.

Silver plated is a number of things. The old silver plated is made of two very thin silver plates and one copper plate. The two silver plates are placed on both sides of the copper – that is called Sheffield Silver. In this case a fair amount of silver is used. So it is possible to engrave the item – and you can still not see the copper.

Electroplated is not Sheffield Silver. EP is short for Electro Plated. You take a plate of copper and put it into a bath of silver. A very very thin layer of silver is now on top of the copper. Maybe 0,0001mm of silver. Its nothing.

So that was the story of silver and silver plated and electro plated silver – in 10 minutes.


Last summer I went on a cruise with Holland America Line. At our table was also two couples, one from US and one from Canada. In Bergen (Norway) I bought a fully stamped Bergen spoon from 1742. The spoon is more than 250 years old and in perfect condition. And it was very expensive. I had paid a small fortune for the spoon. The spoon represents a “national treasure” - how many spoons do you thing that exists. I theory I had to ask the Norwegian authorities for export permit. But I did not I just took in with me. I would have had the export permit but I did not ask.

At dinner I had brought my 1742 fully stamped Bergen spoon. The American and the Canadian people where very interested until one of the ladies asked “Is it sterling?”

I explained 13½ part silver and 2½ part copper – regulations since 1300dreds etc etc….

The woman replied “Oh its plated” and interest fell below 0

Since then I have made it my task to explain Americans that Sterling is not the only silver!!!!!


Article extracted from: www.silver-collector.com/topic648.html


User: Hose_dk


For silver wares please visit www.justpipit.co.uk 

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Boris O'Klein: Dirty Dogs of Paris Prints

Boris O'Klein was a French artist and cartoonist and is well known for his numerous prints and watercolours of dogs getting up to mischief.

The two main themes of O'Klein's work is public urination and male-female flirtation or desire. A very fun artist producing works in the 30s, 40s and 50s.

We currently have a pair of 'Dirty Dogs of Paris' prints signed by the artist for sale.

Sans Unique Print Signed by Boris O'Klein

Sex Appeal Print Signed by Boris O'Klein

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Wanted Meissen Porcelain!

Meissen porcelain is the first European hard-paste porcelain manufacturer. Dating from 1708 and made in Meissen, near Dresden is famous for its fine, high quality porcelain. Its signature logo, the crossed swords was introduced in 1720 is one of the oldest trademarks in existence.

Just Pip It are looking for all Meissen works.


The Meissen logos:

1723-25: Original KPM mark with blue crossed swords beneath 

1725-32: Original blue crossed swords with curved crosspieces and handles 

1732-73 Dot Period blue crossed swords mark with dot between crosspieces

1773-1814 Marcolini period blue crossed swords mark with asterix below or between crosspieces

1814-1824 Blue crossed swords with straight hilts and vertical bar below

1825-1924 Blue crossed swords mark with curved handles

1924-34 Blue crossed swords mark with dot between top of blades

1945-1947 Blue crossed swords mark with crescent below

1947-1973 Blue crossed swords mark with straight crosspieces

1974- Present Blue crossed swords mark with Meissen name in logotype script below

If you are looking to sell your Meissen porcelain, please get in touch. 

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Electroplated Ornate Silver Chest 1860-80s

Left hand caption: UND SO SASS DAS IRAULICHE PAAR, SICH, UNTER DFM THORWEG, Ü UMBER DAS WANDERNDE VOLK MIT MANCHER BEMERKUNG ERGÖTZEND.  Right hand caption: UND ES VERSETZTE SOGZEICH, DIE CUTE, VERSTANDICE MUTTER; IMMER BIST DU DOCH, VATER, O UNCERCEHT CEGEN DEN SOHN!

Our client have instructed Just Pip It to sell this electroplated ornate silver chest circa. 1860-80.

It's in need of a little restoration but it is a fantastic, heavy item.

There are multiple pictures of everyday scenes with scripts written in German. Maybe fables? We would love to know what the text says!

Leave a comment if you can translate it.

For more information on this piece, visit Just Pip It or click here


For other interesting antiques and silverware visit www.justpipit.co.uk 
Many thanks.

DOCH ES FOLCTE SOCLEICH DEM APOTHEKER DER PFARRHERR AN DIE LUCKE DES VAUNS, UND JENER DEUTETE LISTIC

Left hand caption: UND SO SASS DAS IRAULICHE PAAR, SICH, UNTER DFM THORWEG, Ü UMBER DAS WANDERNDE VOLK MIT MANCHER BEMERKUNG ERGÖTZEND.  Right hand caption: UND ES VERSETZTE SOGZEICH, DIE CUTE, VERSTANDICE MUTTER; IMMER BIST DU DOCH, VATER, O UNCERCEHT CEGEN DEN SOHN!

UND SIE SAHEN GESTIEGELT IHR BILD IN DER BLÄUEDES HIMMELS SCHWANKEN, U. NIKTEN SICH ZU, U.GRUSSTEN SICH FREUNGLICH IM SPIEGEL

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Royal Worcester Porcelain

Royal Worcester porcelain was founded in Worcester, England in 1751. By 1755 Worcester porcelain was making the best English blue and white porcelain money could buy. By 1789,Worcester received a royal warrant. Meissen porcelain was also greatly admired in England in the 1750's, but its import was restricted and so English manufacturers imitated the Meissen wares.

Worcester porcelain is split into periods of times:

1: The first period refers to pieces made until 1783 when Thomas Flight purchased the company.

2: Regency refers to those items made when the name changed frequently

3: Royal Worcester refers to pieces from about 1862 onwards.

Beware of imitations: Early Worcester porcelain was soft-paste. If a piece claims to be early, but is hard-paste porcelain or bone china.... it's a fake!

Royal Worcester Marks:

Early Worcester Marks

Early marks show the crown slightly above or perched on the circle and from 1876 the crown sits down on the circle. The mark can appear in any colour. In 1862 a new factory mark was introduced along with date coding sequences.

From 1862 till 1867, the last two numbers of the year would be used. From 1867 to 1877 the code would either be the last two numbers or a capital letter under the circle representing the date.

From 1877 the year number was dropped in favour of the letter system. In 1891 the mark changed once again and no date letter was used but 'Royal Worcester England' appeared around the circle and dots marked its year of production.

The dating system continued until 1915 when 24 dots were arranged around the standard printing mark. The dots system was getting too fussy so they were replaced by a single asterisk in 1916 followed by a new dot system. This until 1928 when they introduced an open square, and 1931 the introduction of 2 linked circles. 1933 saw 3 linked circles plus 1 dot and the dot system commenced along with 3 circles until 1948.

1949 saw the mark introduce 'V', 1950 saw 'W' and 1951-1963 'W' plus 1 to 16 dots. The use of dating was rather inconsistent in this time and a lot of items produced at this time are not dated.

 

Royal Worcester Thursday's Child for sale at Just Pip It. Made in England in the 1990's

 

 

Royal Worcester Saturday's for sale at Just Pip It. Made in England in the 1990's 

 

Royal Worcester December Child for sale at Just Pip It. Made in England in the 1990's 

Just Pip It are always on the look out for Royal Worcester of all ages and other porcelain, such as Meissen, Royal Daulton and more.

Click here to Email Us

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What is an antique? And a short guide to English furniture, its periods and styles

Until around 1870 the term 'antique' was used to describe things appertaining to ancient Greece and Rome. Today 'antiques' refer to items more than 100 years old, although purists have set an earlier date of 1830.

Since 1980 the unofficial trend has been anything made before the Second World War. The pre-war world was in many ways very different from the one we live in today, and we feel that taking 1940 as the cut off point is now a sensible year date.

English Furniture

English furniture styles have developed alongside those of mainland Europe, but were interpreted in a distinctive fashion. There were also many regional variations within Britain. In England itself, regional accents are marked by the differences between, say, North County chairs and those of the West County; Salisbury and Norwich were noted centres of production at an early date.

Wales retained the dresser and the press cupboard as status symbols long after they had ceased to be fashionable in England, and further distinctions are to be drawn between those of North and South Wales.

In late 18th Century, Edinburgh was producing sophisticated furniture, some of which with distinctive differences from that of London.

In the mid 18th Century, Irish furniture was so extravagant in its use of rich carved mahogany that a whole class is described as 'Irish Chippendale.'

Typical English Styles:

Medieval: Split into two types, Romanesque and imported to Britain following the Norman conquest in 1066. Gothic is from about 1300 to 1550 and the change from Romanesque was gradual. The Gothic style was revived in the mid 18th Century and again Regency and Victorian times.

Elizabethan: Renaissance: When Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, most furniture was plain and functional. After 1570, a version of Renaissance style owing more to France and the Netherlands appeared.

Jacobean: Covers the reign of James I (1603-25) but also used to cover that of Charles I (1625-49).

Cromwellian or Commonwealth: Plain mid 17th Century furniture said to be made for Puritans. Square-backed chairs, with leather upholstery fixed with large headed nails.

Restoration: Also knows as Carolean, in reference to Charles II reign and also covers James II (1685-9). Dominant styles is baroque but more Franco-Dutch than Italian. Skilled French workers sought refuge in Britain when Louis XIV ceased to protect Protestants, 1685.

William and Mary: More foreign craftmen (Dutch and French) arrived in Britain following the accession of William of Orange and his Mary, the daughter of James II, in 1689. Fine cabinet making, walnut and ebony veneers, floral and 'seaweed' marquetry. Era continues to 1702.

Queen Ann: 1702-14, the cabriole leg dominated; surfaces were veneered with walnut, but marquetry became less evident. English craftsmen, having acquired foreign skills, adapted these to their own style.

Queen Anne Circa. 1710 Tallboy

Early Georgian: George I and early years George II until app. 1730. Mainly Queen Anne style, but heavier. Claw and ball feet became the fashionable termination of the cabriole leg.

Mid Georgian: George II 1730-60 and the early years of George III. Mahogany replaced walnut as the fashionable wood. In 1754, Chippendale's designs appear; Ince and Mayhew's, 1759-62. Some designs closely followed Louis XV fashions.

Late Georgian: The George III period lasted from 1765-1800, but the term is often extended back to 1730. First came the neo-classical style led by Adam- vertical lines, ovals, circles, columns, urns, disciplined carving, gilding and painting related to the Louis XVI style.

Regency and George IV: About 1800-30. Sometime imncluded with the Late Georgian period. Furniture has much in common with French Empire style, Greek, Roman and Egyptian models used.

William IV and Early Victorian: Much furniture made 1830-50 was still neo-classical, but heavier than Regency. Parallel with this are the Gothic revival by commercial manufacturers.

Mid Victorian: The Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace, 1851, brought Continental exhibitors to London, stimulating an eclectic taste for revivals in almost all historic styles.

Late Victorian, Art Nouveau and Edwardian: Heavy Victorian styles persisted until around 1910, along with reproductions of English, French and Italian historic types, but the Arts and Crafts Movement led by Mackintosh, Ashbee, Baillie Scott and Voysey introduced new ideas.

Modernist and Art Deco: The period in between the two world wars, marked by genuine desire for greater simplicity and honest, economically made furniture.

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Current Fashion Items

We are always on the look out for amazing new designer-wares and old vintage clothing and accessories. Our recently sold and current stock include the fabulous designers such as Jimmy Choo, Amanda Wakeley, Symthson, Hardy Amies, Nicole Farhi, Moshino, George Rech, Agnes B, Prada, Escada and much more.

Jimmy Choo's for sale at Just Pip It

The Jimmy Choo stiletto heels are unique and beautiful. Gold leather with intricate decorative crystals and diamante design with a 4" stiletto heel. They have amazingly only been worn twice so are in near new condition. Jimmy Choo is a British high fashion house specializing in luxury shoes, bags and accessories. A worldwide brand with over 100 stores worldwide and in 2010 was voted Britain's most desirable brand by OK Magazine! Simply, a must have item for any formal dinner party.   

Recently sold Smythson Bag

Other recently sold items include a couple magnificent Symthson hand bags in as new condition. Pure luxury leather handbags crafted by one of the world's best. Symthson of Bond Street have clients including the current Royal family, Queen Victoria, Edmund Hilary, Madonna, Grace Kelly and more. We desperately want more Symthson items, so please get in touch!  

We are always looking for new stock for our fashion lines so please get in touch. If you collect particular items, please don't hesitate in contacting us as we'll contact you if we find that ideal designer.

All our stock is in near perfect condition and authentic items.

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Understanding Hall-marks

Hall-marks give all modern and most old English, Scottish and Irish silver and gold is authenticity. Since 1st January 1975 it is has been a required by law that also platinum be marked. Hall-marks are official marks which supply information about the quality of the metal, its date and also its maker.

The hall-marking in Britain has a very long history and it can somewhat be claimed that it is the oldest form of consumer protection in the country.  The earliest statute concerning gold and silver is that of 1238 AD, when the standards of fineness were laid down, but the true beginning of hall-marking dates from 1300 AD, when it was decreed that no piece of silver 'was to depart out of the hands of the workers' until it had been tested and marked with the leopard's head. The standard of silver was to be sterling, or 92.5% pure, which was the same standard as the coinage. The 'Guardians of the Craft' were instructed to enforce the law.

In 1363 it was law that each Master Goldsmith (the term goldsmith was formerly used without distinction for gold and silversmiths) should have his own, which had to be registered. The maker's mark took a variety of forms, but in 1739 they were all made to re-register with new makers marks which took the form of initials of forename and surname, with only the occasional additional symbol such as crown or mullet.

The first full date letters in London started with 'A' in 1478 and continued in 20 year cycles (excluded letters J and V to Z) without break until 1696, when a new series commenced, The Britannia Standard.

The Britannia Standard was introduced because the melting and clipping of coinage was so dominant in silversmiths. To maintain high quality, The Britannia Standard used a higher standard, 95.8% pure or another 8 dwts. of silver to the pound troy.

Leopard head's show the silver is from London, an Anchor shows the piece is from Birmingham and crowned harp is Dublin and so-on.  

An example of silver hall-mark:

Antique Silver Charles Boyton II Jug and Sugar Bowl for sale at Just Pip It

CB is the makers mark, Charles Boyton II
The lion shows the quality of silver
The facing leopard head shows it was made in London. This particular style of head shows it was during Queen Victoria's reign.
The 'R' is the date, 1892.

If you do have a piece of silver, gold or platinum and would like the piece dated please do not hesitate in contacting us at Just Pip It. If you wish to sell any items, our commission rates are low, so please think of us. Just Pip It are far more than just Ebay brokers. We market your items as strongly as possible to make sure millions of people worldwide are interested.

Any question, drop us an email at justpipit@hotmail.co.uk

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Louis XV Furniture

Louis XV Corner Cabinet for sale at Just Pip It

Louis XV was the king of France from 1715 to 1774. He was great-grandson of the well-known King Louis XIV.

King Louis XV wasn't the most popular of kings, however, the furniture pieces that were created in this time are held dearly and are given high value and worth. It is often thought that the elegant pieces of furniture are simply symbols of the people's determination and perseverance under such a bad ruler.

Louis XV furniture typically has more curves and fewer angles. There are many elegant sweeping lines. With a Louis XV item you will not find any straight lines or cuts. Items are very detailed and intricate. It took exceptionally talented craftsmen a long time to carve ornate and beautiful designs on the wood. The actual designs alone make piece well-loved.


This type of furniture symbolize romance, love and sensuality. The furniture pieces are light and very graceful, whereas items from Louis XIV period are far more big and brass.

Just Pip It is currently selling a Louis XV corner cabinet. A lovely piece of furniture with fantastic marquetry. For more photos and information please click here.

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Welcome

Welcome to my new business blog.

Please subscribe or come back as I will be posting some interesting items about new products, trends and lifestyles. I am starting to come across some fantastic, new items on a daily basis and when possible I would love to show you them. So, even if your not interested in purchasing the items, I still hope you find the blog interesting.

If you do have an item to sell, or interesting in buying one of the items I have, please do not hesitate in contacting me via email, justpipit@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07507479153.

My e-commerce store is www.justpipit.co.uk and hopefully I'll be opening a high street store in the near future... so watch this space!!

Many thanks,

Pip

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