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Milomade Jewellery Collections - Antique Silverware
Sourcing, restoring and re-purposing antique silverware into unique delicate jewellery is something I really enjoy. I much prefer to use fine silverware as a starting point for my jewellery as this way I am recycling rather than using up the planet's natural resources. There is a sense of history with each piece and I feel that as I am forming each ring, pendant or brooch and sanding and polishing it, I am capturing a memory or an essence of the past. I can’t help but wonder who used to stir their cup of tea with each teaspoon I take and transform.
In the 17th century, spoon rings were originally made as wedding rings. Servants of large estates who could not afford to buy wedding rings made of precious metals would steal silverware from the estates that employed them and have these turned into wedding rings. It was often thought that you could tell who people worked for simply by looking at the design, patterns or crest on the silverware their rings were formed from.
I only work with teaspoons that have recognisable hallmarks that define each item as British .925 sterling silver. Each finished piece of jewellery comes with it's own little historic tale which explains it’s origin based on the information provided by the item’s hallmark.
I scour antique shops for unique sivlerware patterns and most of the spoons, forks, knives, sugar tongs and other items I collect originate from Sheffield and Birmingham, but I do occassionally find Edinburgh silver as well.
I would be more than happy to work with a customer's family silver and make something unique for them from a family heirloom. Please get in touch to discuss any commissions.