SILVERSMITH

SOCIAL STATUS

• AKA goldsmiths
• Middle class or "middling sort"
• Same level as blacksmiths & printers
• Only wealthy could afford silver
• Seven year apprenticeship beginning at 14

TOOLS

• Planishing Hammer
• Anvil & Sledgehammer
• Stakes
• Furnace
• Jewler's rouge, pumice, or tripoli for polishing

PROCESS - Preparing the Metal

• 1. Pour 2,000° sterling silver into ingot mold
• Mold made of graphite and clay
• 2. Pound ingot into billet with sledgehammer
• Billet = chunk of metal to be cut and shaped
• Pound metal into general shape

Process - Finishing

• Reheated and submersed in acid if brittle
• Plannishing hammer used to smooth metal
• Extra pieces(handles, etc.) soldered on
• Finished silver product heavily polished

QUESTIONS?

SOURCES

• History.org
• OldAndSold.com
• TheCultureTraveler.com