Featured is a wonderful Antique Silver Smoking Set.
- Silver plate means the object has been coated with a thin layer of silver.
- The term quadruple plate means the object has been coated four times.
- Repousse is a technique where the metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief.
- Often an object was embellished with designs using a variety of different techniques.
- Chasing is the opposite because the metal is worked from the front to refine the design by sinking the metal.
- Sometimes the design is engraved, this is when the metal is cut away with a sharp tool.
- Around 1890, satin finishes were very popular.
- Sometimes a fine dark pockmarked surface was produced against which the hand-engraving stood out in bright relief.
