In today's economic cycle it is smart to get the most you can for your purchasing power. So, there is no reason to overpay for authentic Russian antique silver, especially with the competition online merchants offer, in terms of price, quality and service.
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 RUSSIAN ANTIQUE SILVER 84 GOBLET US $220.00  
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 IMPERIAL RUSSIA 84 SILVER CHEESE KNIFE SPAVLOV HANDCRAFT STEEL ART NOUVEAU US $99.99
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 RUSSIAN VINTAGE SILVER pl SALT CELLAR WITH SPOON VDNH US $40.00
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 RUSSIAN VINTAGE SILVER pl SALT CELLAR WITH ORIGINAL SPOON US $40.00
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 RUSSIAN OPEN SILVER CRYSTAL SALT CELLAR US $23.00
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 RUSSIAN STERLING SILVER CRYSTAL BASKET US $449.00
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 Antique Russian silver and porcelain set creamer sugar bowl US $55.00
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 RUSSIAN ANTIQUE SILVER MILK PITCHER US $370.00
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 Russian c1861 Sterling Silver Dinner Serving Spoons US $287.00
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 ANTIQUE RUSSIAN SILVER 88 CLOISONNE ENAMEL KOVSH BY GREGORY PANKRATYN US $2,600.00
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 RUSSIA SILVER ROUBLE RUBLE1727 NGC XF40 RARE 2 DOTS US $5,499.00
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 ANTIQUE RUSSIAN CANE 1922 23 US $299.00
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Whether you have a preference for collecting sterling or silver plate flatware, the following tips apply.
1. Decide on a silver flatware: Style, Historical Era or Artist.
Think about your lifestyle and your own preferences, then come up with decisions that will be a good match. Do you plan to use your antique silver flatware frequently, or only use items from your collection for particular occasions and holiday celebrations?
Antique silver flatware is a very broad collectible category comprising a wide selection of specialty areas. Some collectors focus on a distinctive design pattern, while others acquire a individual maker or historical period.
Some antique silverware collectors focus on a particular genre of antique silver flatware, such as: ash trays or baskets, while others have more eclectic passions and broaden into regional silver flatware, such as French or German, or pieces from specific craftsman, such as: Alvin or Birks.
2. Mix-n-Match
Be bold with acquiring an assortment of silverware design patterns.
This collecting tactic adds wonderful aesthetic appeal to a table setting. This is a beautiful option especially with difficult-to-find, or rare silver flatware patterns. And will help for assembling a set large enough for entertaining your family, friends or guests.
3. Wear or Damage
A history of overuse does not automatically lower the worth of antique silverware or sterling silver flatware, while signs of abuse may or may not. For example, small damage or defects on a rare flatware piece will not significantly lower its value. The price of a damaged piece should be significantly lower than retail, of course. Be wary of buying tarnished silver flatware on the internet. Pictures can be fake and disguise obvious wear, flaws or repair. Buying tarnished pieces at estate sales and flea markets may be an affordable option, but examining them closely for problems remains a key skill for your collecting hobby or business.
4. Monograms
Many collectors view traditional, detailed monograms as a lost form of art and historically important. It does not detract from the desirability or appeal of a silver flatware piece when a monogram is displayed. Most pieces are, however, more valuable without a monogram. As you expand your knowledge with antique silver and sterling silver flatware, you will develop skills to identify if the monogram has been removed. Monogram removal can damage a piece of antique silver and considerably decrease its price.
5. Authenticity
Various collectors downgrade antique silverware pieces that have been refreshed, such as those with replacement knife blades. It is not uncommon for antique silverplate knife blades to show signs of wear and usage. They can easily be replaced on hollow handle knives, A few collectors opt to have them replaced with stainless steel blades. However, stainless steel was not introduced in flatware crafting until the early 1920s. This is one of those factors of collecting that can be a matter of personal choice, but you do need to be careful that your antique silver flatware may go down in value if you modify the knife blades.
6. Repairs
Dents, or general types of damage can be repaired by a silversmith. Pieces can also be replated by a skilled silversmith. It can be an expensive project for common pieces, but it is fully fully worthwhile to make use of a expert silversmith for restoring valued and rare silver flatware items.
7. Modified Items
Be alert that these exist and learn how to verify if a piece is modified from its original state. Common flatware pieces are sometimes altered to make them appear to be more scarce and valuable pieces. For example, spoons are occasionally cut to appear like ice cream forks or a sugar spoon has been changed to resemble a sugar sifter. As your skills improve, look for signs of modification and avoid buying those modified pieces.
8. Forgeries
New fake pieces in common and rare pattern designs are available for sale on a regular basis on the Internet. In particular:, butter dishes and scarce pieces such as asparagus servers. Several of these items have no manufacture's marks. Moreover, forged artist's markings in silver have persisted for hundreds of years. The age of an antique silverware piece does not really indicate it's authenticity. So learn as much as you can prior to investing in expensive antique silver flatware.
Silver and Sterling Flatware - Russian origins: - recently purchased collectibles.