Michael Baggott, owner of Baggott Silver, speaks to Molly Malsom about the appeal of antique silver, an increasing interest in the field among younger generations and his top tips for buying
Talking Shop
It’s impossible not to get sidetracked into other areas of antiques because the subject area is so vast and varied, but I’ve always come back to silver. It’s an incredibly tactile material, which can adopt almost any form through a myriad of techniques. The use of hallmarking from earliest times often allows us to know so much more about an object. Engraved crests or armorials can sometimes give us the name of the original owners – the rich and complex history enhances the enjoyment when you find a beautifully made piece of antique silver.
Because silver is usually hallmarked, this is seen as a guarantee of its authenticity, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The mark should really be the very last thing you look at, having first considered it in terms of manufacture, design, condition and originality. You should have gone so far with a piece of silver that when you look at the hallmark, it’s to confirm what you already expect to see.
Silver had been gradually falling out of use with the decline of formal afternoon teas and grand dining. But a new generation has grown up with the clean, sparse lines of minimal Scandinavian living and they’re sick of it. That’s not to say they’ve gone completely the other way with a full-blown Downton Abbey aesthetic, but there is now a rediscovered joy in having just a few beautiful pieces to use every day. Though, th
