Sheffield Silverware
Sheffield Silverware, and the entire history of the metal industry in
Sheffield, can be traced back to one thing - Sheffield cutlery. As early
as the 14th century Sheffield was becoming famous for its craft. Chaucer
refers to a "Sheffield thwitel" - a type of knife - in the Canterbury tales
and the inventory of items kept in the Tower of London in 1394 included a
Sheffield cutlery knife.
Ideally placed between hills rich with raw materials and a number of rivers
and streams, water-powered industry developed quickly. Water wheels built
initially for the milling of corn were converted for the manufacture of
blades, while an abundance of local sandstone was used for grinding them.
By the 16th century Sheffield's silverware and cutlery industries' only
rival was London. By this time the powerful Lords of Shrewsbury were
actively involved in guiding and regulating this dominant industry. But
when the Earl Gilbert died in 1616 his estates were passed on to outsiders,
leaving the industry without any guiding influence. The cutlers petitioned
parliament and as a result the Company of Cutlers was founded. They had
jurisdiction over all other cutlers, scissorsmiths and shearsmiths in and
around Sheffield, and established standards and schooling for the industry.
They also had the power to mark artefacts that reached a certain quality.
'Made in Sheffield' was effectively a trademark that only they could
legally issue. Sheffield silverware and Sheffield cutlery became famous
all over the world.
By the 17th century silverwares were in fashion, but these expensive
quality pieces were only affordable to the upper classes. Then in 1742
Thomas Boulsover had a touch of serendipity. Whilst repairing a knife, he
accidentally (so legend goes) heated it too much, causing the silver to
melt. The resulting meld between silver and copper was very strong. He
discovered the two could be hammered together to produce what became known
as Sheffield Plate, a more affordable form of Sheffield silverware, which
in appearance equalled that of Sterling silver and became popular for other
wares such as tea-sets and candlesticks.
Sheffield silverware production increased, but the silversmiths still had
to send their works to London to be essayed and given the hallmark that
guaranteed a piece's purity and quality. Both Sheffield and Birmingham
petitioned parliament to be given there own offices, and the Sheffield
Assay Office was set up in 1773. The silversmiths of Birmingham and
Sheffield are said to have met in the Crown and Anchor Inn, from which the
'Sheffield Crown' mark for silver derives from, at least according to
legend.
With the industrialisation of the 19th century Sheffield manufacturing
boomed; as did the demand for its highly prized Sheffield silverware. The
Assay Office moved to larger premises, unable to cope with the demand for
their services. By the mid 19th century electroplating led to a decline in
Sheffield silver plate, although today it is still occasionally made
because of its bright coloured finish. This has made original pieces of
Sheffield silverware extremely valuable.
Innovations in metallurgy continued in Sheffield, most significantly the
invention of stainless steel at the turn of the 20th century. But the
industry as a whole declined after the World War Two and saw significant
factory closures during the 1980s. The 1990s, however, saw large-scale
regeneration in the city.
Sheffield silverware still enjoys considerable prestige, with long-
established companies such as Carrs, Elkington and Warriss continuing to be
in demand.
And Sheffield's knack for innovation has not disappeared either. At the
beginning of 2006 researchers at Sheffield Hallam University claimed to
have pioneered the first alloy of 'stainless silver', a form of silver that
will keep its colour without needing high maintenance, an innovation that
will keep the fame of Sheffield silverware alive for many years to come.
Article by Dave Nixon