Duty Mark: Used in hallmarking in the United Kingdom and introduced in 1784, it is a mark to show that duty
had been paid on an article of silver at the time of assay. Used from Dec. 1, 1784, to May 1, 1890.
had been paid on an article of silver at the time of assay. Used from Dec. 1, 1784, to May 1, 1890.
Deepsilver: A term applied to silverplate flatware where the points of flatware that
would rest on a table had an extra layer of silver applied to it so that wear would be
less visible.
would rest on a table had an extra layer of silver applied to it so that wear would be
less visible.
Date Letter: Used in hallmarking, it is a stamp assigned by an assay office which represents
the year an item was assayed.
the year an item was assayed.
Date Code: An alpha, numeric, or pictographic system given to a piece by a maker to designate
when an article was made. Pictured are the date codes used by Gorham in 1930 and 1894.
when an article was made. Pictured are the date codes used by Gorham in 1930 and 1894.
Die Rolled: A sheet of metal which has been passed through patterned steel rollers.
Die Cutting/Sinking: The process by which a pattern or outline of an object is cut out of a piece of steel to form a
“die” from which a quantity of similar articles can be stamped out or impressed.
“die” from which a quantity of similar articles can be stamped out or impressed.
Dish Cross: An item for the sideboard, a dish cross is a support of four movable arms
radiating from a central point which contains a well to hold a spirit lamp. A platter or
bowl of food would then be placed on top, the lamp lit, and food would be kept warm.
radiating from a central point which contains a well to hold a spirit lamp. A platter or
bowl of food would then be placed on top, the lamp lit, and food would be kept warm.
Dinner Ware: See Holloware.
Die Stamping: The process of stamping metal by the use of a die that forms the design.
Dog-nose Spoon: A style of spoon handle that came after the Trefid spoon, giving way to smoother
lines. Dog-nose spoons were produced c. 1690-1715.
lines. Dog-nose spoons were produced c. 1690-1715.
Dish Ring: A circular stand used to elevate and support hot serving dishes and to protect the
surface of the table or sideboard. Also called a potato ring.
surface of the table or sideboard. Also called a potato ring.
Dot Repoussé: Repoussé work made in the form of dots massed together to form a pattern or design.
Ductile: Capable of being drawn out or hammered thin.
Dutch Silver: Silverware imported from Holland. Generally, it is very decorative and cast of silver metal very
much lower than the sterling standard.
much lower than the sterling standard.
Drop: An extension used on the underside of a spoon's bowl to strengthen the join between the
bowl and the handle. The drop may also help prevent wear to the bowl.
bowl and the handle. The drop may also help prevent wear to the bowl.
Dinner Bell: A small bell used to announce dinner being served.
Decanter: A bottle with matching stopper used to decant, hold, and serve wine and spirits. Usually
made of glass or crystal, many examples of decanters have decorative silver mounts.
made of glass or crystal, many examples of decanters have decorative silver mounts.
Dessert Service: A set of specialized dessert plates, comports, sweet sauce tureens, etc. for serving and eating
desserts. Beginning around 1750, it became fashionable to have a special service for dessert, separate from the
dinner service, sometimes to the extreme of setting a separate table for dessert. The practice died out by the end
of the 19th century.
desserts. Beginning around 1750, it became fashionable to have a special service for dessert, separate from the
dinner service, sometimes to the extreme of setting a separate table for dessert. The practice died out by the end
of the 19th century.
Duty Dodger: An item of silver that has been given false or deceitful marks in order for an unscrupulous
silversmith to escape paying duty.
silversmith to escape paying duty.
Dredger: See Caster.
Drip Stand: A stand with an attached underplate onto which a used teaball or spout strainer is
set, the underplate catching the drips.
set, the underplate catching the drips.
Dollars: A mark occasionally seen on silver meaning the item was made with
melted down silver dollars. Has the same meaning as coin silver.
melted down silver dollars. Has the same meaning as coin silver.
Die: An engraved steel stamp used to impress a design. The die shown at right is of a sheaf of
wheat, the pattern of which started showing up on flatware around 1825.
wheat, the pattern of which started showing up on flatware around 1825.
Diaper: A pattern of contiguous diamonds.
Darning Egg: An egg shape tool of wood, porcelain, or stone, sometimes with a
silver handle used to darn socks. The darning egg is inserted into the toe or heel
of a sock, allowing the knitted fabric to retain its shape during repair.
silver handle used to darn socks. The darning egg is inserted into the toe or heel
of a sock, allowing the knitted fabric to retain its shape during repair.
Decanter Label: See Bottle Ticket.
Dip Pen: A pen with a nib end for use with an inkwell.
Drip Ring: A felt lined circular ring, with or without a hinge, which is placed upon the neck of
a wine bottle to catch any drips.
a wine bottle to catch any drips.
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