Silver mounts are fittings of silver applied to objects made principally of another material, such as glass, ceramics, wood, horn, shell, coconut, leather or hardstone, to protect edges, add handles, lids or feet, and enrich the appearance of the piece. Mounts may be cast, embossed, pierced or plain, and range from simple rims to elaborate framing.
Mounting precious or exotic materials in silver has a long history, from medieval mazers and mounted ostrich eggs to Renaissance nautilus cups. In Britain the practice became especially common in the Victorian and Edwardian periods, when silver was used on cut-glass claret jugs, decanters, scent bottles, toilet jars, inkwells, biscuit barrels, walking sticks, photograph frames and dressing-table brushes. Silver mounts usually carry hallmarks, which help to date and identify the piece, though small mounts may be part-marked or exempt. Collectors look for well-fitting mounts, good quality decoration, and the absence of splits, dents and repairs, and they check that the mount and body belong together, since mounts are sometimes transferred from a broken original. Silver-mounted wares combine materials pleasingly and bring sparkle to a dressing table, drinks tray or writing desk.
