Inscriptions- To rub or not to rub?

Inscriptions on silver – to rub or not to rub?

Nearly forty years ago when I first started collecting and selling silver all the inscriptions on silver were rubbed – almost automatically – who knows how much history has been lost?  People wanted old things looking new – at least to them! 

Nowadays, though, we have learnt the error of our ways and I am thrilled when I am able to find silver pieces that tell a story

Let me start with one of my favourite pieces – I think you will understand why…

I found this just as I was starting my silver business – It is a campaign set made by Hamilton & Co of Calcutta and dates from the middle of the 19^th century.  Esmé is a man’s name and this Esmé would have been an officer in the Indian army. There is a wine goblet and a sherry goblet at the other end,  sections for the condiments and the big beaker would have been for the food.  Sometimes these sets even come with knives and forks.  Where did this set go, what campaigns did it fight ?

And here we have the cutlery

A mini version :

Euphemia is the name engraved on the reserve of this set hallmarked 1830.  I looked up Euphemia’s of 1830…

Was she Euphemia Liddell who made a beautiful cross stitch tapestry?  … We will never know.  Whoever this lady was she would never have used the cutlery available at the Inn when she stepped down from her carriage on her slow journey to wherever her country estate was

Here  we have moved continents and centuries. 

This Indian silver presentation bowl has the inscription “ Presented by N C Mukerji to Miss Hoyne Fox  22. 9 . 08”.  It was made in Puna and has dancing divinities set in shaped lozenges worked around the curvaceous body of the bowl.

Mr Mukerji was a Christian  ethics philosopher teaching in Northern India in the early 20^th century.  Miss Hoyne Fox was the daughter of the architect , Henry Hoyne Fox , who was the consulting architect to the Burmese government in the 1890’s and 1900’s .  He was responsible for many of the municipal buildings in Rangoon built by the British that are still there.  Why did Mr Mukerji give Miss Hoyne Fox this bowl ? Answers on a postcard…!

The inscription brings the bowl alive!

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Here is a salver with history

The salver was found in its original silk lined presentation box.  Dragons everywhere and in the middle is the inscription to Bro. Robert Davidson Neish from his fellow freemasons    – that inscription should not be rubbed!   What must life have been like in Shanghai in the 1920’s ?

Boxes often have great inscriptions

This is a cigar case.  The mark LC means that the case was made by Leeching known to be working in Shanghai around 1840 – this one is engraved 1865 and 1 Talbot Square , Hyde Park – which is now a hotel where you can get free Wifi!!  But who lived there a 150 years ago?https://esmeparishsilver.com/product/chinese/boxes-chinese/chinese-export-silver-cigar-case/

And here is a table box presented to Staff Sergeant Avenall by the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters.  This battalion arrived in Hong Kong around 1902 so this box must date from the early 1900’s.  Why did your family sell the box, Sergeant Avenall? Removing this engraving would take away the history and leave a large empty reserve.  But maybe the new owner will have an equally auspicious event -in which case go for it!  

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And here we have a rosewater sprinkler

Mostly the inscriptions are either initials or coats of arms

American sterling silver and especially Tiffany silver (remember Breakfast at Tiffanys?) usually have great initials. This antique serving dish is a typical example – it dates from between 1891-1902 – EFC or ECF – where are you now?

For more details:

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But engravings are by no means limited to American silver

The 19^th century was the age when Britain ruled the waves.  Ideally you would have your coat of arms engraved on your silver but failing that at least your four! initials

This magnificent early Victorian three -piece tea set is hallmarked 1839 and has dragon coat of arms

This fine tea pot dates from 1773.  Whilst England was trying to stop the American Revolution, this early Georgian sterling silver tea pot was being used to serve tea..  The original owner was “AL” – who know what the tea pot has seen over the last 250 years!

or this cruet

This impressive Victorian cruet set in the original carousel with all the original bottles dates from 1864.  The initials have been there for nearly 150 years … No need to erase these

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We also see initials on Chinese Export silver – all part of making sure the neigbours knew your true status

The early pieces from the Canton period https://esmeparishsilver.com/wp-admin/post.php?post often had initials – all to impress the people back home

Two dragons chase the magic pearl which forms a reserve for engraving – and they have gone for it!  – ETT?  They are finely done and the reserve would be very shiny and obvious set amongst all that close repousse work – maybe leave them?

Sometimes the engraved wordings/initials are ugly and possibly were added later..  Trawling through I cannot find any examples.  These for sure should be rubbed.  But do beware – the bright shiny reserve that’s left might not match the original style and patina of the piece

As you can imagine I could go on forever about silver with inscriptions – so many coats of arms, so many initials – always wanting to impress the neighbours but I’ll finish on a light note

Frank – you must have passed away many years ago but we still remember you!

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