Early Old Sheffield Plate Pitcher with Sterling Cartouche, c. Late 1700s–Early 1800s

Wow — this is an amazing find. Simply wonderful.

Incredible antique Old Sheffield Plate pitcher dating to the late 1700s or early 1800s with all of the signs collectors hope to see in authentic early Sheffield plate. The craftsmanship and hand-workmanship on this piece are just remarkable. Notice the hand formed appearance, rolled edges, visible seams where the sterling silver meets, and the beautiful soft glow that only true Old Sheffield Plate develops over centuries.

Old Sheffield Plate was one of the earliest forms of silver plating, developed in England in the mid-1700s. Rather than electroplating, sheets of sterling silver were fused to copper and then hand worked into finished objects. Because of the labor-intensive process and artistry involved, these pieces are highly sought after today and considered some of the most beautiful and historically important forms of antique silver.

This pitcher has a solid sterling silver square cartouche placed in the center, which allowed for engraving. In this case it is engraved “Non Nobis Solum,” meaning “Not for ourselves alone.” Such a special detail.

The ornate handle is exceptional, and the grape vines along the base and upper portion of the fluted body add so much richness and movement to the design. Every angle of this piece offers something beautiful to notice.

Excellent antique condition inside and out with some marks to the silver and a couple of dents, which is to be expected for a piece of this age. There is no maker’s mark on the bottom, which is another indication that this may have been a specialty one-of-a-kind piece made by an individual artisan rather than a large company production.

A truly extraordinary example of early Old Sheffield Plate. 11" tall.