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- Herausgeber: Science & Technology Publishing
- Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
- Sprache: Englisch
The Silversmith's Handbook: Containing Full Instructions for the Alloying and Working of Silver is a comprehensive and authoritative guide for both novice and experienced silversmiths, first published in the 19th century. This classic manual delves deeply into every aspect of the silversmith’s craft, offering detailed, step-by-step instructions on the processes of alloying, melting, and refining silver, as well as the various techniques required to shape, decorate, and finish silver objects. The book covers essential topics such as the properties of silver, the selection and use of tools, the preparation of alloys, and the methods for casting, soldering, and joining silver pieces. It also provides practical advice on chasing, engraving, embossing, and polishing, ensuring that readers can achieve both functional and decorative excellence in their work. In addition to technical guidance, The Silversmith's Handbook includes valuable information on the history and evolution of silversmithing, the standards of purity and hallmarking, and the economic aspects of working with precious metals. The text is enriched with numerous illustrations, diagrams, and tables that clarify complex procedures and offer visual reference for the reader. Whether you are interested in creating jewelry, tableware, or ornamental pieces, this handbook serves as an indispensable resource, blending traditional knowledge with practical tips and troubleshooting advice. Its clear language and thorough coverage make it a timeless reference for anyone passionate about the art and science of silversmithing.
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The Silversmith's Handbook
THE
SILVERSMITH’S HANDBOOK
BY THE SAME AUTHOR, UNIFORM WITH THE PRESENT VOLUME.
Ninth Impression, price 5s. net, cloth.
THE GOLDSMITH’S HANDBOOK,
CONTAINING
FULL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ALLOYING AND WORKING OF GOLD.
Including the Art of Alloying, Melting, Reducing, Colouring, Collecting, and Refining; The Processes of Manipulation, Recovery of Waste; Chemical and Physical Properties of Gold; with a New System of Mixing its Alloys, Solders, Enamels, and other Useful Rules and Recipes.
Crown 8vo, price 3s. 6d. net, cloth.
THE
HALL-MARKING OF JEWELLERY,
PRACTICALLY CONSIDERED.
Comprising an account of all the different Assay Towns of the United Kingdom, with the Stamps at present employed; also the Laws relating to the Standards and Hall Marks at the various Assay Offices; and a variety of Practical Suggestions concerning the Mixing of Standard Alloys, and other Useful Information.
CROSBY LOCKWOOD & SON,
7, Stationers' Hall Court, Ludgate Hill, E.C.
THE
SILVERSMITH’S HANDBOOK
CONTAINING
FULL INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE
ALLOYING AND WORKING OF SILVER
INCLUDING THE DIFFERENT MODES OF REFINING AND MELTING THE METAL; ITS SOLDERS; THE PREPARATION OF IMITATION ALLOYS; METHODS OF MANIPULATION; PREVENTION OF WASTE; INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPROVING AND FINISHING THE SURFACE OF THE WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION AND MEMORANDA
By GEORGE E. GEE
GOLDSMITH AND SILVERSMITH
AUTHOR OF “THE GOLDSMITH’S HANDBOOK,” “THE HALL-MARKING OF JEWELLERY,” ETC. ETC.
LONDON
CROSBY LOCKWOOD AND SON
7, STATIONERS' HALL COURT, LUDGATE HILL 1921
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES.
PREFACE.
The object of this Treatise is to supply a want long felt in the Silver Trade, namely, a work of reference from which workmen, apprentices, and manufacturers, employing the material upon which it treats, may find information which will be of assistance to them in the performance of their daily duties, and by which their operations may be rendered more successful. The Author was led to undertake the present work from having had many opportunities, during his lengthened experience in the art of silver-working, of observing the difficulties and stumbling-blocks that are constantly to be met with in the manifold branches of this important trade, by those practically engaged in it, and also by those persons who are desirous of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the mechanical and manipulative details belonging to it. To assist his object, numerous illustrations have been prepared for this Treatise, with the view of rendering the various processes of the art more readily comprehensible, and to save a lengthened or detailed description of them.
The different modes of alloying and melting silver; its solders; the preparation of imitation alloys; methods of working; the prevention of waste; instructions for improving and finishing the surface of the work, together with other useful information and memoranda—all these have been carefully collected and placed in order in the body of the work.
The Author has endeavoured, throughout, to present the contents (which he has with some little difficulty and labour brought together) in as practical and readable a form as is compatible with accuracy and efficiency.
G. E. GEE.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
Since the publication of the first edition of this work important changes have taken place in the commercial value of silver, its present cost in the best markets being sixpence per ounce lower than it was when this volume first appeared in 1877. This depreciation in value has, of course, necessitated a thorough revision of the former prices of the various alloys, solders, and other substances mentioned throughout the work; and this has been done in order to render it the more complete as a work of general reference, conveying correct and useful information to the reader. The Author trusts that his endeavours in this direction will be appreciated.
58, Tenby St. North, Birmingham. February, 1885.
PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION.
In issuing the present edition, a few introductory remarks are necessary to explain that numerous revisions have been made in Chapters VI. and VII. (by means of the Tables referred to below) regarding the cost prices of the different alloys, solders, etc., which I trust will increase the value of the book.
Through the repeal of the silver duty in the year 1890, a great impetus has been given to the Silver industry of this country, and notwithstanding the length of time that has elapsed since this book was first published, a steady demand has continued for its possession by workers in the precious metal trades—a fact which is gratifying to the Author, not only because a reprint is again called for, but as showing that the work has held its position, and may now justly claim to be a standard authority on the subject of which it treats.
It has not been found necessary to interfere with the general processes embodied in the book, as they are practically the same as formerly; but as regards the commercial value of silver, there is again a considerable depreciation[A] to record on the prices prepared for the second edition in 1885, and it becomes imperative that this depreciation should be dealt with in this new edition, in order to bring the work up to date.
The market price of silver has for many years been of a very variable nature, almost each day’s prices showing a difference, so that it would be impossible to provide the reader with an unvarying fixed price per ounce. The best and most practical thing to do under the circumstances, it seemed, was to carefully revise the different cost prices of the alloys and solders specified in Chapters VI. and VII. and give them by way of approximate Tables, compiled for each chapter separately. These two Tables follow this Preface (making pp. ix. and x.) and will serve as a ready reference for present workers in the silver trades. Thus, by bringing the figures down to date, the work may still retain its reliable character as a practical guide to the silversmith’s workshop.
G. E. GEE.
58, Tenby St. North, Birmingham. January, 1907.
PUBLISHERS' NOTE TO FIFTH EDITION.
In February 1921 silver was quoted at 34½d. to 36-1/8d., and it is therefore sufficient to note that the prices at that date correspond approximately to those current in 1907. It should be noted that the melting of British gold and silver is prohibited, as well as their export.
Table of Revised and Up-to-date Cost Prices of the Different Alloys in Chapter VI.
Page.
No. and quality of alloy.
Cost price 1885.
Cost price 1907 and 1921.
61
Old standard alloy
For
4/4
per oz.
read
2/9
½
per oz.
62
New standard alloy
”
4/6
”
”
2/10
½
”
64
No. 1, silver alloy
”
4/2
”
”
2/9
”
64
No. 2, silver alloy
”
3/9
”
”
2/5
½
”
65
No. 3, silver alloy
”
3/6
”
”
2/3
½
”
65
No. 4, silver alloy
”
3/3
”
”
2/1
½
”
66
No. 5, silver alloy
”
3/2
”
”
2/0
½
”
66
No. 6, silver alloy
”
3/1
”
”
2/-
”
67
No. 7, silver alloy
”
3/-
”
”
1/11
”
67
No. 8, silver alloy
”
2/10
”
”
1/10
”
70
French coinage alloy
”
4/2
”
”
2/9
”
70
French plate alloy
”
4/5
”
”
2/10
”
70
French 0·800 alloy
”
3/9
”
”
2/5
½
”
72
German coinage alloy
0·900 standard
”
2/9
”
72
German silver wares alloy
0·950 1st standard
”
2/10
¼
”
73
Ditto
0·800 2nd
”
”
2/5
½
”
73
Ditto
0·750 3rd
”
”
2/3
½
”
This Table is based on the market price of fine silver being 3/- per ounce.
Table of Revised and Up-to-date Cost Prices of the Different Solders in Chapter VII.
Page.
Quality of solder.
Cost price 1885.
Cost price 1907 and 1921.
78
Hardest silver solder
For
3/9
per oz.
read
2/5
per oz.
79
Hard silver solder
”
3/6
”
”
2/3
”
79
Easy silver solder
”
3/2
”
”
2/0
”
81
Best silver solder
”
3/9
”
”
2/5
”
82
Medium silver solder
”
3/6
”
”
2/3
”
82
Easy silver solder
”
3/3
”
”
2/1
”
83
Common silver solder
”
3/-
”
”
1/11
”
84
Enamelling silver solder
”
3/9
”
”
2/5
”
84
Ditto
”
3/2
”
”
2/0
”
84
Filigree solder
”
3/9
”
”
2/5
”
85
Quick-running silver solder
”
3/-
”
”
1/11
”
85
Silver solder for chains
”
3/-
”
”
1/11
”
85
Easy solder for chains
”
3/-
”
”
1/11
”
85
Common silver solder
”
2/9
”
”
1/9
”
86
Common easy solder
”
2/9
”
”
1/9
”
86
Arsenic silver solder
”
3/9
”
”
2/5
”
86
Ditto
”
3/6
”
”
2/3
½
”
86
Easy silver solder
”
3/2
”
”
2/0
½
”
87
Common easy silver solder
”
2/9
”
”
1/9
”
This Table is based on the market price of fine silver being 3/- per ounce.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
Page
Silver a Precious Metal
1
Economy of Treatment
1
Working Silversmiths
2
English and Foreign Workmen
2
Technical Education
2
Pure Silver
3
Plate and Ornamental Wares
4
CHAPTER I.
Silver.
Silver, Characteristics of
5
Silver for Filigree Work
5
Indian Filigree Workers
5
Malleability of Silver
6
Ductility of Silver
6
Test for Pure Silver
6
Silver known to the Ancients
6
Silver Currency
6
Polished Silver
7
Tarnishing of Silver
7
Density of Silver
7
Fusibility of Silver
7
Heating Power of Silver
7
Action of Silver under Great Heat
8
Hardness of Silver
8
Nitrate of Silver
8
Silver resists Aqua-regia
8
Chief Places of Filigree Manufacture
8
Chief Uses of Silver
9
Price of Silver, Commercial
9
Ores of Silver
9
Dissolution of Silver
9
Caustic Alkalies
10
Nitre
10
Vegetable Acids
10
CHAPTER II.
Sources of Silver.
Silver-mining
11
Great Britain
11
British Isles' Yield of Silver
11
Spain
11
America
11
Native Silver
11
European Supplies of Silver
12
American Supply of Silver
12
The Richest Mine
12
State of the Jewellery Trade
12
Yield of Silver
13
Foreign Silver Currency
13
Chief Sources of British Silver
13
State in which it is found
14
CHAPTER III.
The Assay of Silver Ores.
Silver and Mercury
15
Assaying of Silver Ores
16
Crucible Assay
16
Fluxes for Crucible Assay
16
Assay of Genuine Silver Ores
16
Carbonate of Soda
16
Dimensions of Crucible
16
Litharge
17
Preparation and Charge for Assay
17
Treatment in the Furnace
18
Casting-mould
18
Scorification Process
18
Fusing Cup or Scorifier
19
Special Form of Scorifier
19
Scorification Assay the Reverse of Crucible Assay
19
Charge for Scorification Assay
20
Advantages of the Process
20
Anthracite and its Object
21
Separation of the Silver from the Slag
21
Borax, use of, in Assaying
22
Continental Method of Assaying
22
Flux and Charge for Crucible
23
Details of the Process
23
,
24
Skittle-pot
25
Cupellation
26
Cupel, its Mode of Manufacture
26
Cupel-mould
27
Assayer’s Muffle
28
Cupel-tongs
28
Brightening
29
Sprouting
29
Weighing of Silver Assay
30
Chief Alloy of Silver
30
CHAPTER IV.
The Cupellation of Silver Ores.
Test-ring
31
Preparation of Bone-ash
32
Defects in Bone-ash Cupel
33
Currents of Air to the Furnace
33
Withdrawal of the Silver from the Cupel
34
Removal of the Litharge, Manner of
35
Quantity of Alloy per Cupel
35
Purity of Silver after Cupellation
37
Ancient Method of Assaying
37
Dr. Lamborn on Assaying
38
Scriptural Testimony
37
,
38
English System of Assay
39
CHAPTER V.
The Alloys of Silver.
Silversmith’s Alloys
40
Filigree Work
40
Alloy
41
Amalgam
41
Metals employed in the Industrial Arts
41
Metals, their various Characteristics
41
Principal Alloys of Silver
42
Copper
42
Characteristics of Copper
43
Protoxide of Copper
44
Action of Acids on Copper
44
Bean-shot Copper for Alloying
44
Chemical name for Copper
44
Nickel
45
Cronstedt
45
Density of Nickel
45
Ductility of Nickel
45
Malleability of Nickel
45
Fusibility of Nickel
45
Nickel Coinage
45
Nickel Alloys
46
Electro-plate
46
Zinc
46
Spelter
46
Zinc in Silver Solder
46
Annealing of Zinc
47
Specific Gravity of Zinc
47
Spelter used by Jewellers
47
Tarnishing of Zinc
47
Malleability of Zinc
48
Ductility of Zinc
48
Tenacity of Zinc
48
Tin
48
Ancient Workers in Tin
48
Density of Tin
48
Christianity and Tin
48
Fusibility of Tin
48
Dissolving of Tin
48
Tin alloyed with Gold
49
Tin alloyed with Silver
49
Tin in Silversmith’s Solders
49
Vapours of Tin injurious to Gold
49
Malleability of Tin
49
Ductility of Tin
49
Tenacity of Tin
49
Scientific Name for Tin
50
Table of Metallic Elements
50
Melting-points of the Principal Metals
51
Physical Properties of the Principal Metals
51
CHAPTER VI.
Various Qualities of Silver.
Mechanical Uses of Silver
52
Filigree Work
52
Birmingham
52
London
52
Indian
53
Chief Places of Filigree Manufacture
53
Continental Cheap Labour
54
Hand-made Articles
54
Process of Workmanship
55
Maltese Filigree
55
Chinese and Japanese Filigree
56
Filigree of Norway and Sweden
56
Filigree working, Necessity for Pure Metal
56
Old Method of making Filigree
57
Twisting of the Wire
58
Lathe, Use of
58
Flattening of Twisted Wire for Filigree
59
New Method of preparing Filigree Wire
59
English Standards for Silver
60
English Coinage
61
Standard Silver Alloy
61
Alloy for Hall-marking
62
Standard Alloy of the Highest Quality
62
Standard Alloy for Hall-marking
62
Alloy commonly used in England
63
Qualities used by English Silversmiths
63
Drawbacks to Hall-marking
63
Method of calculating the Qualities of Silver
63
Silver Alloy No. 1, cost 4
s.
7
d.
per oz.
64
” No. 1, differently calculated
64
” No. 2, cost 4
s.
1
d.
per oz.
64
” No. 2, differently calculated
64
” No. 3, cost 3
s.
10
d.
per oz.
65
” No. 3, differently calculated
65
Silver Alloy No. 4, cost 3
s.
7
d.
per oz.
65
” No. 4, differently calculated
65
” No. 5, cost 3
s.
6
d.
per oz.
66
” No. 5, differently calculated
66
” No. 6, cost 3
s.
3
d.
per oz.
66
” No. 6, differently calculated
66
” No. 7, cost 3
s.
2
d.
per oz.
67
” No. 7, differently calculated
67
” No. 8, cost 3
s.
per oz.
67
” No. 8, differently calculated
67
Instructions in the Preparation of Alloys
68
Copper for Alloying
68
French Standards
69
Silver Ware
69
Coinage
69
French Alloy for Coinage
70
French Alloy for Plate
70
French Alloy for Silver Ware
70
Instructions in the Preparation of these Alloys
70
German Standards
71
Silver Ware
71
Coinage
71
Silver Alloy for the German Coinage
72
Alloy for Plate
72
Alloys for Silver Wares
72
,
73
Law on the Manufacture of Silver Wares
73
Remedy allowed in Fineness
73
Government Exports
73
Guarantee Marks
73
CHAPTER VII.
Silver Solders: their Uses and Applications.
The Act of Soldering
74
Cause of Inferior Manufactures
74
Tin in Solders
75
Filed Solders
76
Zinc in Silver Solder
76
Solders made with Copper and Silver
76
Hard Silver Solders
77
Medium Solders
77
Easy Solders
77
Connections for Soldering
77
Flux for Soldering
77
Fusibility of Silver Solders
78
Hardest Silver Solder, cost 4
s.
1
d.
per oz.
78
Ditto, differently calculated
79
Medium Silver Solder, cost 3
s.
10
d.
per oz.
79
Ditto, differently calculated
79
Easy Silver Solder, cost 3
s.
5
d.
per oz.
79
Ditto, differently calculated
80
Remarks on Silver Solders
80
Composition for Solder
81
Best Hard Solder, cost 4
s.
1
d.
per oz.
81
Ditto, differently calculated
81
Medium Solder, cost 3
s.
10
d.
per oz.
82
Ditto, differently calculated
82
Easy Solder, cost 3
s.
7
d.
per oz.
82
Ditto, differently calculated
82
Common Solder, cost 3
s.
3
d.
per oz.
83
Ditto, differently calculated
83
Directions on the Melting of Solders
83
Solder for Enamelling, cost 4
s.
1
d.
per oz.
84
” ” cost 3
s.
6
d.
per oz.
84
Easy Solder for Filigree Work
84
Quick Running Solder, cost 3
s.
3
d.
per oz.
85
Silver Solder for Chains, cost 3
s.
3
d.
per oz.
85
Easy Solder for Chains, cost 3
s.
3
d.
per oz.
85
Common Silver Solder, cost 3
s.
per oz.
85
Common Easy Solder, cost 3
s.
per oz.
86
Arsenic Solder, cost 4
s.
1
d.
per oz.
86
Silver Solder with Arsenic, 3
s.
10
d.
per oz.
86
Easy Silver Solder, cost 3
s.
6
d.
per oz.
86
Common Easy Solder, cost 3
s.
per oz.
87
Another Common Solder
87
Very Common Solder
87
Directions in the Preparation of Solders
87
Drossy Solders
88
Mode of Soldering Gold and Silver
88
Pallion Solder
88
Blowpipes
89
Solder-dish and Charger
89
Soft Solder
90
Art in Soldering
90
Solder for Filigree
91
Lemaille Solder
91
English Filigree Workers
91
Sprinkle Borax
92
Special Soldering Flux
92
Boiling-out Pickle
93
CHAPTER VIII.
On the Melting of Silver.
Directions on Melting
94
Weighing Metal for the Crucible
94
Crucibles
95
Best Crucibles to employ
95
Fluxes: their Action on Crucibles
96
Fluxes employed in Melting
96
Testing the Soundness of a Crucible
97
Mixing various Metals for melting
97
Zinc a fusible Metal
98
Charcoal
99
Bad working Material
99
Plumbago Crucible for Melting
99
Tongs for Melting
100
Ingot-mould
100
Flux and the Pouring of Molten Metal
101
Protoxide of Zinc
102
Scrap Silver
102
Carbonate of Soda
102
Dissolving Impurities
103
Lead and Tin in Silver
103
Sal-ammoniac
103
Lemel
103
Mixture prepared for Crucible
104
Burning of Lemel
104
Skittle-pot for Lemel
104
Melting of Lemel
105
Another Mode of melting Lemel
106
Crucible for Lemel
106
Pouring of Lemel from Crucible
107
CHAPTER IX.
On the Working of Silver.
Rolling Silver
108
Annealing Silver
109
Irregularities in Rolling-mills
110
Messrs Kemp’s Mill
110
,
111
Table of the Cost of Silver-rolling
112
Slitting Rollers
112
Breaking-down Rollers
112
Wire-rolling
113
Wire-drawing
113
Draw-plate
114
Draw-bench
110
,
115
Draw-tongs
115
Drum used by Wire-drawers
115
Fine Wire-drawing
115
,
116
Wire-drawer’s Punch and Hammer
117
Wrought Work
118
Sparrow-hawk
119
Raised Work
120
Cement for Chasers
121
Snarling-tools for Raising
122
Art in the Silver Trade
123
Burnished Silver Work
124
Silver Filigree Work
125
Stamped or Struck-up Work
126
Press
127
Plain Solid Work
127
Chain Bracelets
128
Present State of Silver Trade
128
Silver, Liability to become tarnished
129
Enamelling
129
Galvanic Ring
129
Mode of preparing Ring
129
,
130
Hollow Silver Work
131
Stamping-press
132
Spinning
134
,
135
Polishing
135
Water-of-Ayr Stone
136
Polishing-lathe
137
Washing-out Mixture
138
CHAPTER X.
Enriching the Surfaces of Silver.
Production of the best and richest Surface
139
Oldest Method for Whitening
140
East Indian Silversmiths
141
Indian Mode of Whitening Silver
142
Another Mode of Whitening
142
Boiling-out Pan
143
Boiling-out Mixture
143
,
144
Our Mode of Whitening
145
Surface Refining of Silver
146
Brown Colour on Silver Goods
146
Common Articles of Silver
147
Whitening Powder or Mixtures
147
Nitrate of Silver Mixture
148
Improving the Colour of Electro-plate
149
Electro-plating
149
Discoverer of Electro-plating
149
,
150
Constant Battery
150
Best Battery for Plating
151
Strength of Battery Solution
151
Bunsen’s Battery
152
Exciting Mixture for Battery
152
Zinc Amalgamation
153
Conducting Wires
154
Preparation of Plating Solution
155
Cyanide Solution
156
Black Cyanide
157
Strength of Plating Solution
157
,
158
Inferior Plating Solution
159
Recovery of Silver from Plating Solutions
160
Scratch-brushing
161
Scratch-brush Lathe
161
Burnishing Silver Work
161
,
162
Oxidizing Silver Work
163
Solution No 1.
163
Solution No 2.
164
Solution No 3.
164
Producing various Shades
165
CHAPTER XI.
Imitation Silver Alloys.
Melting Imitation Alloys
166
Common Silver Alloy
167
Another
167
Another
168
Another
168
Another
168
Another
168
Another
169
Another
169
Another
169
Another
169
Another
170
Another
170
Chinese Silver
170
Imitation Silver
170
Another
171
Another
171
Another
171
Another
171
White Alloy
172
Clark’s Patent Alloy
172
White Alloy
172
Alloy with Platinum
172
Alloy with Palladium
173
Uses for Imitation Alloys
173
Characteristics of Imitation Alloys
174
CHAPTER XII.
Economical Process.
Working Loss
175
Lowest Estimate Real Loss
175
Total Working Loss
176
Shop Floors
177
Waste-saving Precautions
177
,
178
Treatment of Waste
178
Burning of Polishings
179
Treatment of Waste Liquids
180
Processes for the Recovery of Silver from Waste Waters
180
,
182
Chloride of Silver
183
Aqua-regia
183
Precipitating Silver in Waste Waters
183
Solution for Precipitation
184
Sediment in Collecting-vessels
185
CHAPTER XIII.
Licences and Duties.
Acts of the Legislature
186
43 George III., c. 69
186
6 George I., c. 11
187
31 George II., c. 32
188
32 George II., c. 14
188
24 George III., c. 53
188
37 George III., c. 90
188
44 George III., c. 98
189
55 George III., c. 185
189
Table of Various Duties
189
Manufactured Plate
190
Remarks on the Licence Question
191
,
196
Act of Parliament in Licences
193
Clause of Act
193
,
194
Tax or Licence unjustly Assessed
195
,
196
CHAPTER XIV.
Useful Information for the Trade.
Silversmith’s Alloys
197
Silver Wares
197
Cleaning Plate
198
Imitation Silver
198
Another
198
Removing Gold from Silver Articles
198
Oxidizing Silver
198
Dipping Mixture
199
Silver Powder for Copper
199
Powder for Silver
200
To protect the Polish of Metals
200
Silver-stripping Mixture
200
Stripping Silver
201
Soft Solder
201
Soldering Fluid
201
Dissolving Silver
202
Dissolving Silver Alloy
202
Dissolving Copper
202
Dissolving Soft Solder
202
Dissolving Silver Solder
202
Dissolving Sealing-wax
202
Resist Varnish
202
Plate Powder
202
Electro-plating Soft Solder
202
Another Recipe
203
Testing Silver Wares
203
Another Test
204
Perchloride of Iron
205
Aluminium Alloy
205
New Alloy
205
Removing Gold from Silver Wares
205
Silver Plating Fluid
206
Plate-cleaning Powder
206
Solder for Aluminium
206
CHAPTER XV.
Foreign Silver Standards
207
French Work, Duty on
208
Continental Silversmiths
209
French Style of Work
209
German Style of Work
210
Indian Style of Work
210
Austrian Style of Work
211
English Style of Work
211
Index
212
THE
SILVERSMITH’S HANDBOOK.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
In reviewing the rise and progress of the silversmith’s beautiful and interesting art, in its relation to the manufacture of articles of personal ornament and luxury at home and abroad, we may observe at the outset, that the material of which they are composed differs widely in character from that employed by the ordinary “metalsmiths” and the manufacturer of “electro-plated wares.” Silver, the material of which we are now treating, being a precious metal and of considerable value, it is essentially necessary that the most careful means be exercised in dealing with it from the commencement—that is, from the pure or fine state—and also that the utmost economy be observed in reference to the kind of mechanical treatment to which it is subjected in the production of the silversmith’s work, in order to prevent too great a quantity of waste or loss of material. For it should be borne in mind that silver, like gold, begins to lose, in one way or another, every time it is touched; therefore, carefulness and economy will be the characteristics of our teaching, so far as regards the present subject.
The vast majority of working silversmiths know very little of the physical and chemical properties of the metal they employ, and still less of the comparison it bears with other metals in the field of science; and this want of scientific knowledge is nowhere more apparent than in our own country, where the English workman, in art education, is much behind the foreigner; and yet we have some of the finest and best workmen, in their special branches, in the whole world. The English workman believes that if the work is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well; and we have no hesitation in saying, that, if a good technical education were afforded, concerning the precious metal trades, he would scarcely have an equal, and certainly no superior, abroad, in art workmanship, both in respect to the display of good taste and judgment, combined with a knowledge of design, so far as the exercise of these qualities is compatible with the manufacture of articles specially designed for use and ornament.
