SILVER PLATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 361, 23 May 1928, Page 6

SILVER PLATE

QUEEN ANNE STYLES SOME CHARACTERISTICS Queen Anne plate is a term descriptive of the work of the silversmith during th e greater part of the 18th century, and does not necessarily mean plats that was actually made in the reign of that queen. It is possible, of course, to fix the date of any old piece of English silver by the hall-mark, but that correctly known as “Queen Anne” might not actually have been made between 1702 and 1714, but may belong to a later reign. The chief characteristic of th© “Queen Anne” style is massive simplicity, and appears to be a reaction from the redundant ornamentation of a previous period. Queen Anne spoons are very rare. Genuine specimens have thin, flat handles, and, not being of a very convenient shape, were unpopular. The three-pronged forks of the same period were well adapted for their purpose, however, and therefore the probability is that the forks were kept in us© by people unaware of their value, while the spoons have long since passed into the hands of collectors. Both coffee and chocolate pots were in vogue during the “Queen Anne” period, the former being usually tall, tapering vessels with cap-like lids. The chocolate-pots differed from them in being of circular instead of octagonal shape. Ther© were, however, both coffee and chocolate pots made in this country during the “Queen Anne” period which do not answer to this description, but these were in a style adopted by the French silversmiths and are easily recognisable. It is rather curious to notice that, although cocoa has become such a popular beverage during recent years, there is no modern silver substitute for the elegant chocolate-pots of the days of Queen Anne. The candlesticks of this period are rather plain and have usually a square base, but another characteristic of the times was simplicity of outline and beauty of form rather than ornamentation. Contemporary French silversmiths appeared to have combined both ideals in their work, but the simplicity of the Queen Anne style has a distinct appeal which will always be appreciated. Most of the best specimens of old silverwo.rk have been preserved, and the originals or copies can still be seen by those interested in such things. Although the hall-mark on silver is a good guide to value, the appraisal of any old specimen must be made by an expert, as much depends upon the workmanship, and even the forgery of a hall-mark is not altogether unknown. Table silver of a kind not even in use at the time has been sold as Queen Anne, and such a mistake is quite easy to make. Silver spoons and forks, although common enough now, were used only by the wealthy when Queen Anne came to the throne. This being the case, it .follows that larger articles, such as A oa kettles, coffee-pots and tankards. tuviild not have been made in any great quantity. XX is probable that there is more socaflOd “Queen Anne” plate in existence to-iiuy than was seen during tiie period that .created the style.