Coin Mount: A coin affixed to an object.
Coaster: A small tray on which to place bottles or glasses to protect tabletops.
Coral and Bells: An old name for a type of baby rattle which usually incorporated a whistle and
multiple bells on a rod, terminating with a piece of coral for teething. There is usually a loop near
the end so a chain or cord could be affixed and the rattle could be hung around a child's neck.
multiple bells on a rod, terminating with a piece of coral for teething. There is usually a loop near
the end so a chain or cord could be affixed and the rattle could be hung around a child's neck.
Cloisonné: A form of enameling where narrow strips of metal wire called cloisons are soldered onto the base to
form compartments into which enamel is poured.
form compartments into which enamel is poured.
Commercial Silver: Silver that is 999/1000 fine or higher.
Cross Hatching: A type of decoration consisting of close parallel lines crossed by another set of parallel lines
perpendicularly to give the effect of shading. See also Hatching.
perpendicularly to give the effect of shading. See also Hatching.
Crest: A heraldic device or badge mounting a coat of arms.
Cream Scoop: An obsolete implement for skimming cream off milk. Consists of a circular
band attached to a handle.
band attached to a handle.
Cruet: A small bottle, normally with a stopper, for dispensing oil, vinegar and other liquid condiments.
Cruet Frame: A stand for holding multiple cruet bottles and perhaps casters, pepper
pots, etc.
pots, etc.
Cupellation: An assaying process where the components of an alloy are oxidized and separated at a high
temperature.
temperature.
Cutlery: An implement with a cutting edge such as a knife or scissors. Some knives, such as a butter knife, do not
have a cutting edge so are considered flatware, not cutlery.
have a cutting edge so are considered flatware, not cutlery.
Cut-Card Work: A term to describe a decorative appliqué technique in which sheets of silver are cut into patterns
then applied to the body of an object as ornamentation, much like appliqué work in sewing. Cut-card work was
popular on British and French silver in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
then applied to the body of an object as ornamentation, much like appliqué work in sewing. Cut-card work was
popular on British and French silver in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Coffin-end Spoon: A decorative form of spoon end in the shape of a coffin, said to have been created to
commemorate the death of George Washington.
commemorate the death of George Washington.
Coffee Pot: A covered vessel for serving coffee with a spout either directly across from or at a
right angle to the handle. The spout is higher on the body than that of a teapot in order to avoid
coffee sediment from escaping.
right angle to the handle. The spout is higher on the body than that of a teapot in order to avoid
coffee sediment from escaping.
Claret Jug: A tall pitcher with a hinged lid, usually made of glass or crystal with silver mounts, to
serve claret.
serve claret.
Claret: The English term for red wine, specifically Bordeaux.
Compote / Comport: An ornamental stand with a shallow dish raised on a
central stem for holding sweetmeats, cakes, etc., dating from the 18th century.
Also called a tazza.
central stem for holding sweetmeats, cakes, etc., dating from the 18th century.
Also called a tazza.
Coin Silver: A term applied to silver to indicate the purity of the metal. Originally, the most
readily available source of silver was in the form of coins, their purity being the standard
of each country's coinage. That standard would vary from country to country. By 1830,
American silversmiths were often buying their silver from suppliers in the form of sheets.
They began stamping the silver Coin, C, Dollar, D, Premium, Pure Coin, or Standard to
indicate the objects were of the same silver standard as U.S. coinage, which was 90% (900/1000). Coin
silver continued to be the predominant silver grade used in the U.S. until 1868. In that year Gorham
announced it was changing over to the higher grade sterling (925/1000) standard, and everyone else in the
U.S. quickly followed suit.
readily available source of silver was in the form of coins, their purity being the standard
of each country's coinage. That standard would vary from country to country. By 1830,
American silversmiths were often buying their silver from suppliers in the form of sheets.
They began stamping the silver Coin, C, Dollar, D, Premium, Pure Coin, or Standard to
indicate the objects were of the same silver standard as U.S. coinage, which was 90% (900/1000). Coin
silver continued to be the predominant silver grade used in the U.S. until 1868. In that year Gorham
announced it was changing over to the higher grade sterling (925/1000) standard, and everyone else in the
U.S. quickly followed suit.
Crumb Pan: A tray for receiving crumbs brished off of a tabletop in between courses. The
crumb pan started appearing in the U.S. around 1880 and was often sold with an accompanying
brush. See also Crumber.
crumb pan started appearing in the U.S. around 1880 and was often sold with an accompanying
brush. See also Crumber.
Cocktail Shaker: Barware. A cannister with an interior strainer for mixing cocktails with ice. The
chilled cocktail is then served without the ice.
chilled cocktail is then served without the ice.
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