SILVER ON GLASS (OVERLAY)
In 1886 Alvin patented a process for depositing pure silver on metallic and non-metallic surfaces. In this process the article was first coated with silver and afterwards a part of the coating was cut away, thus exposing the base, as in pierced work.
THE JEWELERS & CIRCULAR: Jan. 18, 1893
"Undoubtedly the most novel and at the same time
artistic work turned out by this company is that known as electro-deposit
goods. This class of work was invented and brought to a state of commercial
success by this firm. It is applied to decanters, perfume and toilet bottles, carafes,
claret pitchers, flasks, perfume atomizers, and in fact an almost endless
variety of articles of crystal glass. The process is guarded as a trade secret;
but briefly it may be said that the article to be silvered is rendered metallic
by a coating of silver deposited on the glass surface by the electric current.
When this operation is successfully completed, the article is shown completely
encased in its covering of pure silver. The article is then taken in hand by
skillful artisans who trace the most intricate designs on the silver surface.
The designs are of a continuous character and the intervening spaces are by
another process cut away or removed, to expose the crystal surface in the
interstices of the design. The article is then passed to the engraver, who
richly embellishes the remaining surface. The engraved surface is then highly
polished."
We are always happy to combine
shipping for multiple items whenever possible. (Some large and/or fragile items
require separate packaging.