Which 19 th Century French Animalier Sculpture is Regarded as the Best?

Posted on December 14, 2023January 15, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

Isidore Bonheur was born into a family of artists with a wide range of talents in 1827. Like the rest of his family, he inherited a skilled hand in various art forms. However, he had a particular mastery over bronze sculpture and a passion for the trade. Bonheur’s sculptures were incredibly detailed and realistic, and he was known for his ability to capture the essence of animals in his work. To this day, many still regard him as the best Animalier sculptor to grace art’s magnificent history.

Isidore-Jules Bonheur Had a Range of Talents

Bonheur’s most well-known piece is his bronze horse sculpture, Le Grand Jockey. The most famous casting shows a jockey patting his winning horse on the neck in exquisite detail, down to the veins in the horse’s legs and neck. The sculpture is an excellent example of Bonheur’s mastery of his craft and attention to detail.

In addition to the horse sculpture, Isidore’s bull and bear sculpture remains a favorite of fans of his work. The piece depicts a battle between a bull and a bear in which the art expertly demonstrates incredible tension while maintaining a high level of detail and realism. However, though they are some of the most famous, they are far from the only Bonheur pieces you may have seen.

Isidore’s older sister, Rosa, frequently collaborated with him. They made pieces in pairs, complimenting both art styles and bringing the pieces together. This was generally true regarding his domestic cattle, sheep, and/or equestrian pieces. However, he did not stop at these common animals and frequently did pieces with more wild elements, such as lions, bears, and hunting groups, on his own.

He Earned Lasting Recognition

While many artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh, received little to no recognition before their lives were over, Isidore received great respect during and after his life. To this day, his works are among those most highly praised at the French Animalier school. He is consistently ranked among the finest of his time and has left a lasting impression on the path that the Animalier style of art has taken. His talent was never taken for granted or denied by onlookers.

Bonheur earned lasting recognition for his work, and art enthusiasts still admire his sculptures today. A life-sized casting of his eight-point stag piece is currently on display in the Perigueux Museum. He also completed three monuments still standing today, including a piece he created for his late sister, whom he met in his final two years. The other two are lions he crafted to guard the Palais de Justice.

Throughout his life, Bonheur was commissioned outside of his home country of France, including palace pieces for King Edward VII of England and two large bulls to decorate the palace of the Sultan of Constantinople. His works are immortalized not only in person but also in literature. Bonheur’s life has been explored, analyzed, and appreciated in over a half dozen books between 1914 and 1971. The internationally renowned sculptor has gone down in history and will continue to inspire art enthusiasts for years.

In conclusion, Isidore Bonheur was a master of Animalier sculpture, whose attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of animals earned him lasting recognition. His sculptures continue to be admired by art enthusiasts today, and his legacy continues to influence the Animalier art style. Bonheur’s life and work have been explored in literature, and he has left a lasting impression on the art world that will continue to be felt for years.

Finding the Right Buyer: Looking Locally for Sterling Silver Buyers Near You

Posted on December 12, 2023January 15, 2024 by AntiqueSilver

When selling sterling silver to a buyer takes effort and time to get most of it. Everything starts with finding a trusted dealer who can offer you an accurate, honest, and reliable deal. It can be sometimes daunting, especially when you’re a newbie. And for professionals, it’s just like winning the game again & again.

Beginners out there, there’s no need to worry and feel stuck in your thoughts of identifying the right ones. To make your search end right at one place, we’ve created this blog post. It contains helpful information about how to find reputed sterling silver buyers near you…

Let’s complete the reading part as soon as possible, and bring such practices into action in the waking world…

#1. Customer experience matters the most!

When you’re searching digitally or offline about any services, you always check for customer feedback & reviews. It gives a big sign whether the company can be trusted or not. You got to know about its red and green flag. Right? Similarly, when you’re searching for a reliable local silver buyer, you need to do the same. Get clear clarification before you decide to deal with him/her.

#2. Communication reveals deepest facts

When dealing with a silverware buyer, keeping your perks straight is the only way to achieve your aim. When you sell your valuable object online, you don’t need to stop by their shop, you can just make a phone call & directly keep your word. Additionally, you need to talk about everything that increases the chances of the buyer to prove his/her reputation.

#3. Must-have Experience & Certification

The third most important trait of sterling silver flatware shops is their experience in their expertise and whether they are certified or not. Examine their professionalism with years of experience. Check whether the shop is certified A+ from BBB (Better Business Bureau). Such qualities when fulfilled, you are going to deal with the right buyer.

#4. Best price guaranteed!

You already know that your sterling silverware is actually a valuable object. And, of course you need top price for it. Remember that, look for such buyers who offer great prices for your great valuables. You can ask the dealer what prices they can offer & also take 2-3 silver appraisal to get confirmation about sterling silver flatware accurate value.

Final Verdict!

Make decisions wisely! Afterall, it’s about your precious silverware and money. However, above-mentioned facts need to be fulfilled by buyers out there in order to attract customers. Do your research and never miss a chance to get above your expectations.

Additionally, If searching for “who buys sterling silver near me,” let us introduce ourselves, we are the right silver buyers for you! We are Florida’s largest and most trusted dealers who buy silverware and offer great-great prices. Get in touch with us now!

How to Clean Sterling Silver Naturally?

Posted on December 7, 2023December 12, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Learn how to naturally clean sterling silver. In the blog post shared, a comprehensive guide provides effective and eco-friendly methods to restore the brilliance of your silver items. Discover homemade solutions and techniques to remove tarnish and dirt from sterling silver without the use of harsh chemicals. From baking soda and lemon juice to vinegar and aluminum foil, we cover a range of natural cleaning methods. Our expert tips and step-by-step instructions ensure safe and efficient cleaning, preserving the beauty of your sterling silver. Visit our website now to explore our guide and keep your silver shining bright the natural way.

Do you have a tarnished sterling silver piece that you are hoping to clean, but don’t want to use any harsh chemicals? If so, you are in luck, as there are several safe and natural ways to clean sterling silver, many of which involve items that you already have in your home.

Cleaning Sterling Silver with Corn Starch

A quick search of your pantry might find you a great solution to clean your sterling silver. A mixture of cornstarch and water in the form of a paste can make your silver look like new again. Apply the paste with a damp cloth, then let it dry and rub it off with a mildly abrasive towel. If you don’t happen to have any cornstarch at home, cream of tartar could be a suitable substitute.

Vinegar

If your sterling silver jewelry or silverware has lost its shine and luster, try soaking it in a solution of ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Allow it to sit for two or three hours, and then remove it and rinse with cold water. Make sure you dry off your piece thoroughly in order to prevent tarnishing.

Lemon Juice

If you want your silver to sparkle, a mixture of one tablespoon lemon juice with1 ½ cups of water and ½ cup of instant dry milk can be a good option. The end result will be silver pieces that shine, all without the use of chemicals or store bought solutions. Not only is it a good option for silver jewelry, but the lemon solution can also be beneficial for rusty knives and other silver pieces.

Tomato-Based Paste

Tomato-based pastes like ketchup are a good way to help restore your silver pieces back to their former glory. Use a small bowl and fill it up with ketchup, and then dunk in your silver piece of jewelry. To scrub the piece, use a toothbrush, as this can help to clean the areas that are hard to reach. You should only leave the ketchup on for a couple of minutes, and then use water to rinse it. A microfiber cloth is a good option for the final polish.

Baking Soda

Sterling silver will react with moisture in order to create a layer of tarnish. Baking soda that is activated by hot water can dislodge this tarnish when aluminum is present, leaving your jewelry shiny and clean once again. To try out this option, boil enough water that your sterling silver piece can be completely submerged, and then add in a tablespoon of baking soda along with a sheet of aluminum foil. Use a plastic or wood utensil to move the item around so that all surfaces will contact the aluminum. Finally, rinse and wipe down the piece of jewelry, and you should be left with a beautiful piece.

If you have sterling silver jewelry or antiques, you don’t have to go out and buy an expensive sterling silver cleaner. By using some common and natural household items, you can get the look that you want without spending a fortune.

Important Tips For Cleaning Your Silver and Antiques

Posted on December 5, 2023December 12, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Do you have a silver antique that has seen better days and needs to be cleaned? Are you looking for a way to polish your antique silverware to give it a shine that you’ll be proud to show off? There are many safe ways that you can clean your silver and antiques, all at an affordable price. If you are interested in the best way to clean silver plate, follow some of these helpful tips.

Silver Plate Cleaning Methods

There are a ton of ways that you can go about cleaning silver plate naturally, which is one of the best ways to clean your antiques without worrying about damage to your pieces:

Vinegar. If your silverware or silver jewelry has lost its shine, you can soak it in a solution of 2 tbsp. baking soda in ½ cup of white vinegar.
Lemon. For silver that sparkles and shines, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with ½ cup instant dry milk and 1 ½ cups of water.
Corn starch. A mix of water of cornstarch and water can create a paste that will make your silver antiques look like new again. Allow the paste to dry on the silver, and then rub it off with a mildly-abrasive cloth.
Tomato paste. Dunk small silver pieces into tomato paste and scrub with a toothbrush. You’ll get a thorough cleaning and the silver will sparkle upon completion.

Many of these items are probably already in your pantry, providing you a simple and affordable way to clean your most prized silver possessions.

How to Polish Your Silver

After cleaning your silverware, you may want to give it some extra sheen with a good polish. There are a variety of safe silver polishes available for purchase, including Wright’s Silver Polish, Twinkle Silver Polish, and Goddard’s Long Shine Silver Polish. While these products are safe, others, including all-purpose metal cleaners, are too abrasive and may scratch your silver antiques.

After washing and cleaning your silver thoroughly, follow these tips to polish appropriate:

Apply the polish using the instructions on the container. You should always use a soft and clean cloth and apply the polish with a circular, gentle motion.
Use hot water to rinse off the polish and dry the piece thoroughly.
Using a soft cloth, buff the silver to create a soft luster. Remember that aggressive polishing could rub off the hallmark or damage the silver-plating, significantly altering the value.

Cleaning your silver and antiques doesn’t have to be an expensive process, but you should be sure to take proper precautions. A clean and well-polished antique will look more valuable and is more likely to sell at an auction or estate sale. If you are interested in selling, bring your antiques in to Antique Silver Buyers, where we will provide a market analysis of your collection – the total that they are likely to sell for at auction.

Techniques for identifying different types of silver that will determine the real worth

Posted on November 20, 2023November 30, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Silver is a beautiful metal used for centuries to create stunning decorative items and jewelry. If you are a silver collector, it is imperative to accurately determine the value of silver. In this article, we will explore the techniques used to assess the worth of different types of silver.

Sterling Silver vs. Pure Silver.

Sterling silver is an alloy of metals that is used to make jewelry. It is not a pure metal, combining pure silver and other metals like copper, zinc, or nickel. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal. This makes the metal more robust and more useful for metalwork.

Pure silver is 99% pure and malleable in nature, sometimes making it difficult to shape into ornaments. Pure silver is also known as fine silver and can be identified by hallmarks like .999, 99.9, or 999, which indicate that it is composed of a single soft metal. Pure silver also does not tarnish when exposed to air or sunlight.

How to Identify Sterling and Pure Silver?

A magnet test is The easiest way to identify pure and sterling silver. Most precious metals, including silver, are nonmagnetic. A magnet will not be strongly attracted to pure silver, but it will be attracted to the other metals mixed in sterling silver.

The test is the smell test. Since pure silver has no odor, if you smell a metallic odor or the scent of sulfur, it is likely sterling silver.

Which is More Valuable to Silver Collectors?

Pure silver is worth more than sterling silver because of its lesser consistency than other metals. However, the higher value of silver lies in its consistency. Pure silver is too soft to be used in jewelry, so it is often mixed with other metals. Antique silver dealers looking to sell or buy jewelry or other silver items prefer pure silver. For investors investing in precious metals, pure silver is a more valuable and profitable investment.

The ultimate worth of your silver flatware set will depend on its purity, which can only be identified by trusted buyers. While pure silver is more valuable than sterling silver, it is essential to consider its intended use. For jewelry-making and decorative items that require durability, sterling silver may be the preferred choice. However, pure silver is a more valuable and profitable option for investors or antique silver dealers.

In conclusion, identifying different types of silver and determining their actual worth requires knowledge of the metal’s purity and composition. Using the techniques discussed in this article, you can accurately determine the value of your silver items and make informed decisions when buying or selling silver.

Identifying Sterling Silver Patterns 101

Posted on October 31, 2023November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

If you have a set of antique sterling silverware, you might be wondering what the pattern is or if what you have is actually an authentic set of sterling flatware. The first thing you’ll want to do is look for the Sterling name on the silverware. In most cases, you’ll find the word sterling on the back of each piece’s handle. In some cases, your silver may have a different identifying logo that is used to mark sterling pieces.

Is There a Manufacturer’s Mark?

Next, you’ll want to determine which of the sterling silver patterns you have. There are a good number of these patterns. It can help if you can find the manufacturer’s identifying mark. This is often also located on the handle, although this may be a company logo and not a name. You can look online to find a catalog of the different sterling manufacturers and their related logos. Finding this logo is the easiest way of identifying your sterling silver patterns.

Determine the Pattern

Once you’ve learned which manufacturer created your antique sterling silverware, you can determine the pattern. Again, the internet is a great resource for this. There are websites devoted to cataloging all of the different antique silverware markings out there, and these sites often include detailed images of the various patterns. All you need to do is look at the images available and see which one matches your silverware.

Tips for Silver Patterns Identification

If you’re having difficulty determining which silver pattern you have, here are a few additional tips that can help you narrow it down.

Polish your silverware if you’re having difficulty determining the manufacturer’s mark. Sometimes cleaning it can make it easier to identify.
Look for “925” or another number. This identifies how much of the piece is made from bsterling.
Sometimes looking for antique silverware markings that show your flatware set is not sterling silver is just as helpful as looking for sterling marks. If you see “IS” or “A1” on your silverware, it indicates that the piece is silver-plated, not sterling silver.
There are some companies that provide silver patterns identification services. You take a clear picture of your silverware pattern and email or fax it to them. Their experts then help you determine the pattern.
Remember that some manufacturers changed their company marks over time, especially when a company was bought out or merged with another. If the mark you find doesn’t quite match the image you see online, continue your search into that manufacturer to see if they used a different mark at some point.

Silver Hallmarks & other Identifiers – 3 Tips for Reading Hallmarks on Silver

Posted on October 30, 2023November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

In order to properly identify your antique silver pieces, you need to know how to read the hallmark on the item. These stamps indicate the year the item was made, where it was made, and who made it. It can also include a few other pieces, such as a duty mark, although that’s not always the case. If you’re not certain how to tell what these silver hallmarks are, these tips will help you.

How to Make the Mark Easier to Read

Reading the hallmarks of a piece is essential to identify it, but it’s not always that simple. The silver hallmarks identification process is much more difficult on older pieces because the hallmark may not be as clear as it once was due to age or damage. One trick to making it a bit easier to read is to gently blow on it. The warmth from your breath will cause condensation, making the mark clearer.

Know the Common Marks

There are a number of common marks that appear on many silver pieces. For example, the lion passant is standard to identify a piece as sterling silver. If this mark isn’t there, it means the piece is most likely silver plated. You can find a list of the common town marks, date letters, and other hallmarks online or in a number of different guide books. If you’re going to deal in silver, you’ll need to become familiar with them.

Understand the History of Silver

Knowing the history of silver flatware and other items can be very helpful for reading hallmarks. For example, if you see a duty mark on a piece, you’ll know that it was made between 1784 and 1890. You can narrow it down even more if you know when that mark was the king’s head and when it was the queen’s. All of this is vital information that can be used in antique silver appraisal and in your own personal identification of items.

Sterling vs. Britannia Silver

Posted on October 26, 2023November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Do you have a silver collection at home but aren’t sure of the silver composition? It is possible that your silverware or other antiques are silver plated, but you might also have something more valuable – sterling silver or Britannia silver. While Britannia silver is typically more expensive than sterling silver antiques, both can be indicative of valuable pieces, and it is important to know the difference between the two.

What is 92.5 Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is a silver alloy that contains 92.5% silver by weight. The other 7.5% of its composition is made of other metals, mostly copper, and antiques often denote their sterling silver composition with a “925” or “sterling” hallmark. Historically, sterling silver has been used for a variety of eating utensils, flatware, and other serving items, and there are many sterling silver pieces that are prized as antiques today.

Sterling silver has long been heralded for its versatile applications and lustrous finish. Sterling silver is harder than gold, but it is considered to be one of the most pliable metals. This malleability makes it easy to use sterling silver to create various forms and shapes, and there are many prized antiques that are made from this metal.

What is Britannia Silver?

The Britannia standard of silver was developed in 1697 as a way to prevent British sterling coins from being melted to create silver plate. Unlike sterling silver, which is made of 92.5% silver, Britannia silver is composed of at least 95.84% pure silver. The other 4.16% of its composition is made of copper and other metals. Britannia silver is also more expensive and less robust than sterling silver.

There are several marks that can indicate a piece is Britannia silver. The Britannia figure is widely recognized and was the first of the Britannia silver marks introduced to indicate. 958 silver fineness. Later, a “lions head erased” mark was introduced for the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. The number “958” is also stamped on Britannia silver pieces.

Is Your Piece Sterling or Britannia Silver?

The hallmarks on your silver item are the best way to determine if your piece is sterling silver or Britannia. However, if you are unsure of the silver composition – or if you simply want to learn more about the value of your piece – there are resources that can help. An auction house, antique dealer, or appraiser can provide you some helpful guidance on what exactly you have with your silver piece.

The Great Artistry And Value Of Silver Bowls

Posted on October 20, 2023November 21, 2023 by AntiqueSilver

Antique sterling silver bowls are some of the most valuable pieces of silver collectables – and for some very good reasons:

Unlike silver flatware or tea pots, for example, where other materials are often used to increase strength or and durability ( See this information on weighing your silver.) Sterling Silver Bowls have no technical need for such alterations and can contain quite a high silver weight value. This can make selling silver bowls online or in person a very profitable venture.

As far as we know, antique silver bowls are one of the oldest forms of silver manufacturing going back more than 6000 years. That isn’t to say that you’re holding onto a relic from ancient Ur – you’re probably not – but it is a tradition that has had a long time to develop in style and history which is another pillar for the valuation of precious silver items.In addition to this, since they are predominantly decorative and fairly sturdy, the condition of silver bowls can stand the test of time longer than items like tea pots which tend to be thinner and come into regular contact with boiling water, tea leaves, or hard minerals

But truly one of my favourite things about silver bowl collecting is the sheer creativity and artistry that the form has taken on.

If you wondering where you can sell your silver bowl , I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend that you contact me directly, however you have many options at your disposal. Online auction houses are the one of the easiest and most popular ways of selling Antique Silver, however you may not always fetch the price you’re looking for. Pawn shops fetch a similar scenario in the sense that when you’re not dealing with an expert you may come across someone who will pay you simply for the silver weight value of your items.

Your best bet, whether you intend to sell at an online auction or directly to a buyer, would be to contact an antique dealer directly. They will be able to give you a strong understanding of the value of your item and, if interested, make you an offer.

We all like to get the best price on their silver items, you can visit to my contact page and send me information with photos and I will offer you the best price for any antique silver.

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