Antique 1914 Sterling Silver Child's Baby Cup, Baker & Staniforth Sheffield, 92g

Details

Description

A sterling silver child's cup (often referred to as a christening cup or baby mug) featuring these exact hallmarks is … Read more A sterling silver child's cup (often referred to as a christening cup or baby mug) featuring these exact hallmarks is a beautiful historical piece.

(B&S): This mark belongs to Brook & Son, a prominent firm of goldsmiths, silversmiths, and jewellers based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The business was established in 1891 at 87 George Street and operated until 1941. They held a Royal Warrant as goldsmiths to Queen Victoria, King George V, and the Royal Company of Archers (the King's Bodyguard for Scotland).
They frequently made high-quality everyday luxuries and commemorative presentation gifts, including christening sets, spoons, and mugs. As this cup is marked '41', it was likely purchased the last year they were in business.
Town Mark (Crown): Signifies the Sheffield Assay Office in England, confirming that the piece was officially tested and verified there.
Standard Mark (Lion Passant): Guarantees that the piece is solid 92.5% sterling silver.
Date Letter (W): The capital, block-style "W" inside this specific pointed shield shape indicates the piece was assayed during the 1914–1915 cycle, the very beginning of the First World War.


Dents are a very common form of damage on antique Scottish silver and silver-gilt objects from makers like Brook & Son. Because these pieces are typically made of high-purity sterling silver (which is a relatively soft metal), minor impacts over the decades easily cause surface structural deformations.

Options for Managing the Dents
Leave Them Alone (Value Retention): For many collectors, small shallow dents or "dimples" are accepted as honest wear or "patina." If the dents are minor and do not distort the overall shape or engraved details, it is often best to leave them as-is. Poorly executed repairs can lower the antique value far more than the dents themselves.
Professional Restoration: If the dents are deep, creased, or causing the metal to misshape (such as a wobbly base or an off-round rim), you should take the piece to a professional silversmith. Experts use specialized non-marring tools, stakes, and burnishers to smoothly rub or push the silver back into its original shape from the inside out without altering the metal's integrity.
DIY Warning: Do not attempt to tap out dents with a household hammer or pliers. Hammering sterling silver compresses and hardens the metal, making it brittle and prone to cracking or splitting. See less