Find out in this incredible Sterling Silver Value Guide.
Is Sterling Silver Hollowware valuable?
The answer is: Some pieces of sterling hollowware are valuable and other pieces are only worth scrap silver value.
Here is a value guide on sterling silver hollowware:
Candlesticks and Candelabras - Unfortunately, most candlesticks and candelabras are going to only valued at scrap silver. The demand for these has dropped about 95% in the past few decades. Almost all plainer ones are definitely going to be scrap unless they are TIffany, Georg Jensen, Buccellati or a better maker. If it is more ornate like a Kirk Repousse, Gorham Chantilly or Strasbourg, or anything else heavily decorated, then it will likely be worth a premium. However, we have purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars of candlesticks and candelabras and most have been beaten with a sledge hammer and the epoxy or cement has been evacuated and then the thin shell remains have been sent off to the refinery for silver recycling.
Tea and Coffee Services - Sadly, people don't use formal tea and coffee sets like they once did. Almost all plainer services are probably going to be scrap unless they are TIffany, Georg Jensen, Buccellati or a better maker. Even semi-ornate sets can also typically be worth just scrap value. There are patterns like Prelude by International, Hampton Court by Reed & Barton, and Georgian Rose by Reed & Barton that although decorative and pretty, nobody wants them and they end up being melted for silver value. Tea and Coffee Sets as a rule are not very re-sellable unless they are super magnficient and highly decorated with repousse work or deep hand hammering or hand work. Grande Baroque by Wallace and Francis the First by Reed & Barton are some better sets that still fetch a good premium above silver value.
Julep cups - All julep cups are usually worth a premium over in above their scrap silver value. Even though the demand for sterling hollowware in general anymore is quite low, julep cups are still highly collectible and even used especially around the horse derby season.
Water Pitchers - Most water pitchers are worth more than just scrap silver. They are still used and people want them.
Goblets - Most goblets are usually worth a premium over in above their scrap silver value.
Bowls - Most bowls made of sterling silver are just worth scrap silver value. People just don't want these, unless it something really fabulous.
Plates - Flat sterling silver plates are typically just worth scrap silver value.
Platters and Serving Trays - Because of their heavy weight in sterling silver the vast majority of these are not worth more than silver value. However, a higher end maker or highly decorated border can make the tray worth a premium more.
Salt & Pepper Shakers - Most are just worth scrap.
Vases - The taller and heavier vases tend to be worth a premium. However smaller bud vases and very plain items tend to be worth just scrap.
Punch Bowls - People don't serve punch too much anymore. There is little demand for these unless their are something really ornate. Most are worth just scrap silver.
Small Pieces - Small pieces like thimbles, match cases, napkin rings, pill boxes, etc. etc. are almost always worth a premium more than their silver value.
Picture Frames - The majority of frames are worth a premium. However, if more plain and monogrammed they will just be worth scrap silver.
Trophies - Sterling silver trophies are often worth more than scrap silver. Race cars, yachting, horse racing and golf tend to be the most popular in this category, especially if they are very elaborate and have a provenance of a famous celebrity.
Silver Statues - Any sterling silver statue is going to be worth a premium over silver.
Sterling Silver Boxes - Most boxes are worth a premium any many are highly collectible.
Large Centerpiece Bowls - Most large centerpiece bowls that are at least 100 troy ounces or heavier are worth more money than just scrap silver. Even though silver is not in fashion like it used to be, these centerpieces are still popular for people with large homes and dining tables for 12 persons or more.
Francis 1 Hollowware by Reed & Barton - This is a premium hollowware line that is still very collectible and in demand.
TIffany Hollowware - Unless it is beaten up or highly inscribed or monogrammed with large letters, just about any piece of Tiffany Hollowware will be worth a premium.
Georg Jensen Hollowware - All Georg Jensen Hollowware of Denmark is worth more money than just scrap. As a matter of fact some of their pieces can be worth in the triple digits per troy ounce.
European Hollowware - Unless it is from the 18th century or early and unless it is made by a premium maker, most European holloware is worth either scrap or just a small premium above this. If it is very ornate, it can definitey be worth more.
Cambodian and Thai Holloware - Almost all is worth scrap.
Chinese and Japanese Holloware - Most is just worth scrap. However, anything with a highly decorated dragon or lion theme can be worth more money.
Mexican Hollowware - With the exception of famous Mexican silver masters of Taxco, the vast majority of Mexican holloware is just worth scrap silver.
South American Silver -Most of this is just worth scrap silver.
Russian Silver - Almost all Russian Silver is worth a premium more than silver value. Anything enameled or made by Faberge is worth a lot more money.
English Hollowware - Unless it is from the 18th century or early and unless it is made by a premium maker, most Engish holloware is worth close to just scrap value or just a small premium above this. If it is very ornate, it can definitey be worth more. Anything by Elkington or any maker that produced for royalty will be generally worth more money.
German Hollowware - A lot of it is just worth scrap, but pieces with decorative cherubs and that are very ornately decorated are worth more money.
Monogrammed Hollowware - A monogram or inscription on silver is usually the kiss of death and will typically make the item worth only scrap silver or take the value down by 50% or more.
Colonial Coin Silver Hollowware - Is highly coveted by collectors and worth usually a lot more than just scrap silver.
Martele Silver Hollowware by Gorham - Is highly coveted by collectors and worth usually a lot more than just scrap silver. Paris Exposition pieces in particular can worth hundreds of dollars per troy ounce.
Buccellati Silver Hollowware from Italy - Is some of the best made silver on the planet and every one wants it. It is worth much more money.
Gorham Patterned Sterling Silver Hollowware - Gorham patterned hollowware patterns of Chantilly, Strasbourg, Buttercup and Melrose are usually worth a premium over silver. The prices depend on the types of pieces.
Wallace Patterned Sterling Silver Hollowware - Wallace patterned hollowware is worth more including: Grande Baroque, Stradivari, Rose Point, Violet and Sir Christopher.
Reed & Barton Patterned Sterling Silver Hollowware - Reed & Barton patterned hollowware in the following patterns are worth more money: Francis 1st, Diamond, Burgundy,
Repousse Sterling Silver Hollowware - Almost all hollowware that has the use of Repousse work or hand hammering from the inside to the out, is going to be worth more money. Kirk, Schofield, Schultz and other Baltimore makers are almost always worth more money.
Enameled Silver Hollowware - Anything enameled will almost always be worth a much higher premium more than just silver value.
Gold Plated Vermeil Sterling Silver Hollowware - Will be worth typically more more than just scrap silver. However, this is not always the case if it is something not too decorative.
Beat up Sterling Silver Hollowware - Condition is very important with sterling silver hollowware. If the items are beat up, dented, pieces missing, parts broken or the pattern is worn, then you can expect to receipt a scrap offer on these 99% of the time. However, if the item is extremely rare and important, then there are times were even if in poor condition it can still be worth some good money more than just scrap silver value.
Older Sterling Silver Hollowware than the year 1800 - Any hollowware that is from 18th Century or earlier will almost always be worth a premium more than silver.
Spanish Ship Wreck Silver Hollowware - Any item of sterling silver hollowware that has been sea salvaged from a famous Spanish galleon will be worth hundreds of dollars per troy ounce.
Australian Sterling Silver Hollowware - There is not too much of this extant in the marketplace and even though most looks pretty ordinary, it will likely be worth a premium more than silver since it is so seldom available for sale.
Figural Sterling Silver Hollowware - Anything that has cherubs, cupids, ladies, men or any depiction is going to probably be worth a lot more money than just scrap silver.
Art Nouveaux Sterling Silver Hollowware - All art nouveaux styles of sterling hollowware will be worth a premium well over the scrap out silver price. Unger Brothers of New Jersey pieces in particular will be worth a substantial amount more than just intrinsic silver value.
Bright Cut and Etched Sterling Hollowware - This more colonial style is not the most popular and these items are typically just worth scrap silver.
Celebrity Owned Sterling Silver Hollowware - If you have a piece that was once owned by a famous politician, actor, historical figure or famous person, it will be more than likely that this silver will fetch a good premium above spot silver.
Floral Themed Silver Hollowware - Usually anything that is decorated with a floral them of a lily, old orange blossom, chrysanthemum, buttercup, rose, cherry blossom, pansy or any other attractive flower is going to be worth a premium more than silver. Although, not always. I really depends on the piece in this category.
We have touched on a few of the basic values of hollowware and there is no way to possibly cover every last nuance in a short article like this. However, hopefully this gives you a better idea of what the values of sterling silver hollowware are actually worth.
We hope you enjoyed our article on Sterling Silver Hollowware Values!
Let us know if you have any other questions or comments. You can email us directly or leaves comments down below.
Thanks,Greg Arbutine
Sterling Silver Buyers Owner
Sterling Silver Buyers wants to purchase your sterling silver hollowware items! Please sell your sterling silver hollowware items to Sterling Silver Buyers!
Very informative article on sterling silver holloware!