Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Goblet, Sheffield 1885

A truly special piece of English silver, hand-selected from the famed London Silver Vaults. This elegant Victorian goblet was crafted in sterling silver and hallmarked in Sheffield in 1885, during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Sheffield was one of England’s great centers of silvermaking, and the traditional English hallmarks found on this piece help tell its story: the crown represents the Sheffield Assay Office, while the lion passant signifies sterling silver. Its date mark places its making more than 140 years ago, at the height of the Victorian era.

Standing 7" tall, the goblet features a slender stem and beautifully hand-engraved fern and foliate decoration—a wonderful reflection of the Victorian fascination with the natural world. Delicate beaded detailing finishes the foot, while the rich gold-gilt interior creates a striking contrast against the polished silver.

The gilding was more than ornamental. Gold was traditionally applied to the interiors of fine silver drinking vessels both for its beauty and to help protect the silver from the contents of the cup—a luxurious detail that would have distinguished the piece when it was first made.

Beautiful displayed on a bar or amongst a collection of antique silver, it can also still be enjoyed as originally intended. We especially love it as an extraordinary wedding, anniversary or milestone gift—an heirloom already more than a century in the making.

Each piece in our antique silver collection was individually sourced in London and selected for its beauty, history and timeless appeal. As with all antiques, subtle signs of age and use are part of its character and story.