Label Type
Exhibition LabelLabel
The official name of "sterling" added as prefix to a piece of silver indicates that it contains at least 92.5% of pure silver. The remaining 7.5% can be any other metal alloy, but most commonly copper. Although it may seem desirable to have a higher silver content, metal alloys with a silver content of more than 92.5% are too pliable to be used without resulting in dents and dings. The second alloy is required to ensure the metal's stability and resilience.Label Type
Curator Pick of the MonthLabel
This coffee pot is an excellent example of 18th century silver in the Drexel Founding Collection. A winged dragon or cockatrice crest marks the front of this ivory handled silver coffee pot. Although the coat-of-arms is unidentified, the banner below the crest's shield reads "PROBITAS VERUS HONOS" - Honest is True Honor. It is stamped with the lion passant which marks it as sterling and with the crowned leopard which indicates that it was made during the reign of George III.Label Type
Exhibition LabelLabel
The official name of "sterling" added as prefix to a piece of silver indicates that it contains at
least 92.5% of pure silver. The remaining 7.5% can be any other metal alloy, but most
commonly copper. Although it may seem desirable to have a higher silver content, metal alloys
with a silver content of more than 92.5% are too pliable to be used without resulting in dents and
dings. The second alloy is required to ensure the metal's stability and resilience.