Describes a method of covering a base metal (usually brass) with a thin coating of silver, which allows both larger and smaller items to be made at reasonable cost. Plate is fine and even essential for the larger and lesser items of ‘silver’ in the home, such as flower vases and trays, jugs and pots, and for day to day use as it’s far more robust and much easier to handle and clean.
All furnishing accessories from light switches to picture and mirror frames, lamps and candleholders are made of silver plate, which gives just as much reflection and sparkle as the real thing.