Walnut Tree Antiques

07/07/2026

12/06/2026

New items today

27/03/2026

New arrivals

22/02/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVB1MI7iOi2/?igsh=MXdudnJucWIzc3o1eg==

21/01/2026

Why is silver plate finally making a comeback ?

Speaking to a well respected dealer today who explained why prices for one of the most unloved, undervalued and disrespected antiques are finally on the rise
The antique silver market is in turmoil at the moment with incredibly high scrap prices leaving antique silver collectors unable to compete. We are also sadly seeing some beautiful solid silver going to melt for the same reason .

Silver plate isn’t all the same and it can be an ideal alternative for collectors if you know what you are looking at. For the purposes of this discussion we are excluding anything marked EPNS and instead looking at items made in copper before being given a healthy coat of silver . Top quality items made by incredible craftsmen like Walker and Hall , Elkington &co and many others . These period items deserve far more respect for their craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal as antiques in their own right regardless of their intrinsic value .
The 2 photos below demonstrate exactly why prices are finally on the rise. The first shows a collection of quality plated items with a total value of about £200 . The second shows a couple of damaged solid silver items with a scrap value of £2,000 .
Maybe time to broaden our minds !

24/12/2025

24/12/2025

Unusual very large bronze now in stock