Silver Gilt: An article of silver where the surface has been completely covered with a thin layer of gold.
Sheffield Plate: Method invented by Thomas Boulsover of Sheffield, England, c. 1743 of fusing a thin layer of
sterling silver onto a sheet of copper by heating and rolling the two together.
sterling silver onto a sheet of copper by heating and rolling the two together.
Sinking: See Die Cutting.
Silver Shield: See Let-in Shield.
Silver Gilt: Gold plated or gilded silver.
Seal Top Spoon: A spoon with a decorative finial at the end of the handle with a flat disc at
the end in the form of a seal.
the end in the form of a seal.
Saw Piercing: A form of decoration produced by cutting away parts of the metal by hand with the use of a thin
steel blade with fine teeth.
steel blade with fine teeth.
Satin Finish: A matte surface finish produced by the use of acid or brushing. Also called frosted finish.
Sand Polishing: A method of polishing silver using pumice as an abrasive on a felt or leather spinning wheel. Used
as an initial polishing phase to remove marks, creases, and porous openings.
as an initial polishing phase to remove marks, creases, and porous openings.
Salt Cellar / Salt Dip / Open Salt: A small dish for holding salt which is served with the use of
an individual salt spoon and refilled with the master salt spoon. Sterling salt cellars usually
have a glass liner or have a layer of gold on the interior to prevent damage from the corrosive
salt. Having salt cellars on the table used to be the norm. The salt shaker wasn't introduced
until the 1860's, but it took a while for shakers to catch on because of salt's tendency to clump
and harden, especially in humid weather. In 1910, Morton Salt added clump-preventing magnesium carbonate to
salt and gave us it's "When It Rains, It Pours" free flowing salt. Soon thereafter, salt shakers became the favored
dispenser, and salt cellars quickly went by the wayside.
an individual salt spoon and refilled with the master salt spoon. Sterling salt cellars usually
have a glass liner or have a layer of gold on the interior to prevent damage from the corrosive
salt. Having salt cellars on the table used to be the norm. The salt shaker wasn't introduced
until the 1860's, but it took a while for shakers to catch on because of salt's tendency to clump
and harden, especially in humid weather. In 1910, Morton Salt added clump-preventing magnesium carbonate to
salt and gave us it's "When It Rains, It Pours" free flowing salt. Soon thereafter, salt shakers became the favored
dispenser, and salt cellars quickly went by the wayside.
Salesman's Sample: A miniature copy of a full sized item carried by traveling salesmen to advertise their wares
to merchants.
to merchants.
Silversmith: A craftsman who fashions articles of silver.
Silverplate: Articles made of a non-precious metal on which is deposited pure silver by the electroplating process
in order to resemble genuine silver.
in order to resemble genuine silver.
Silver Inlaid: A term applied to silverplate flatware by the Holmes and Edwards Company where the points of
flatware that would rest on a table had an extra layer of silver applied to it so that wear would be less visible. Same
as Sterling Inlaid.
flatware that would rest on a table had an extra layer of silver applied to it so that wear would be less visible. Same
as Sterling Inlaid.
Slip Top Spoon: A very early type of spoon consisting of a hexagonal handle with the end cut off at an
angle. Considered an early to mid-17th century spoon, examples exist dating back to 1500.
angle. Considered an early to mid-17th century spoon, examples exist dating back to 1500.
Sinking: The first stage of making a piece of silver by hand. A flat sheet of silver is placed over a depression and
hammered into a bowl shape.
hammered into a bowl shape.
Silverware: Flatware, hollowware, and decorative objects made of silver. In America, the term “silverware”
means flatware made of any material.
means flatware made of any material.
Sad Ware: Flat table articles, such as plates and trenchers, made of pewter.
Salver: A tray, often footed, on which any type of item is presented.
Salt: The general term for any container used for table salt.
Sauce Tureen: A smaller version of a full sized tureen used to hold and serve sauces and gravies.
Service: The number of place settings within a set or the number of different pieces within a pattern.
Shoulder: The raised rim on a plate or platter.
Sauce Label / Sauce Ticket: A smaller version of a bottle ticket hung on the neck of a cruet or condiment
bottle to label the bottle's contents.
bottle to label the bottle's contents.
Shell-Back Spoon: A type of fancy-back spoon with a shell motif on the back of the bowl.
Silver Deposit: A thin layer of silver that has been electroplated onto glass or porcelain,
the method of which was developed in 1889 in England.
the method of which was developed in 1889 in England.
Silver Overlay: A thick gauge of sterling silver which has been formed and shaped over objects made of
other materials, usually glass or porcelain.
other materials, usually glass or porcelain.
Sealing Wax Holder: A device that is used to hold a stick of sealing wax.
Sewing Awl / Stitching Awl: A device used in sewing heavy materials. The piece is
threaded, and a sharp point allows the awl to pierce the material. The thread is then
drawn through the material to create a locking stitch.
threaded, and a sharp point allows the awl to pierce the material. The thread is then
drawn through the material to create a locking stitch.
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