It is, therefore, my hope that this volume will stand as an authoritative outline history of the subject of which it treats, that it may point the way to possessors of old silver to arrive at sound conclusions as to their heirlooms, and that it may indicate to collectors the salient features of their hobby. ARTHUR HAYDEN. _January 1915._ CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE 11 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 19 CHAPTER I THE MARKS STAMPED UPON SILVER 23 CHAPTER II ECCLESIASTICAL PLATE 65 CHAPTER III THE MAZER, THE STANDING CUP, THE FLAGON, THE TANKARD, THE BEAKER, THE WINE CUP 83 CHAPTER IV THE SALT CELLAR 139 CHAPTER V THE SPOON 177 CHAPTER VI THE POSSET-POT, THE PORRINGER 195 CHAPTER VII THE CANDLESTICK 221 CHAPTER VIII THE TEAPOT, THE COFFEE-POT, THE TEA-CADDY 239 CHAPTER IX THE CASTER, THE SUGAR-BOWL, THE CREAM-PAIL, THE CAKE-BASKET 267 CHAPTER X THE CREAM-JUG 299 CHAPTER XI SCOTTISH SILVER 311 CHAPTER XII IRISH SILVER 329 APPENDIX, CONTAINING TABLES OF DATE LETTERS. LONDON (1598-1835) 347 TABLE OF DIFFERENCES IN SHIELDS. LONDON (ELIZABETH TO GEORGE V) 357 ILLUSTRATIONS OF MARKS: LONDON, PROVINCIAL, SCOTTISH, AND IRISH 359 INDEX 411 ILLUSTRATIONS George II Coffee Pot, 1741. Maker, Peter Archambo. _Frontispiece_ PAGE CHAPTER II.--ECCLESIASTICAL PLATE Elizabethan Chalices 67 Elizabethan Chalice; Charles I Chalice 71 Charles II Cup; William III Flagons 75 Charles II and Queen Anne Patens 79 George II Communion Cup 81 CHAPTER III.--THE STANDING CUP, THE FLAGON, THE TANKARDS, THE BEAKERS, AND THE WINE CUP