The number shown alongside the category includes available and sold items, sold items can be accessed by using the drop down bar on right hand side of page.
To view most recently sold items click on the last available page.
We’re here to your answer your queries, don’t hesitate to reach out.
category info
Silver sauce boats emerged in the early 18th century as a distinct piece of tableware. English silversmiths pioneered the design of these elegant vessels. They were crafted to serve sauces and gravies at formal dining occasions. The introduction of sauce boats coincided with the rise of more elaborate dining customs in Europe. Meals featured multiple courses and a variety of sauces that required specialized serving pieces.
During the early 1700s, silversmiths in England began creating sauce boats with graceful, boat-like shapes, which allowed for easy pouring. They often featured one or two handles and a spout, with the base sometimes supported by a set of feet. The earliest examples were relatively plain, focusing on functionality, but as time progressed, they became more ornate. Silversmiths incorporated intricate engravings, repoussé work, and Rococo-style embellishments, such as scrolls, shells, and floral motifs.
The popularity of silver sauce boats spread across Europe. French and Dutch silversmiths created their own versions, often inspired by English designs but with their own regional styles. In France, for example, silversmiths introduced more elaborate and decorative elements, reflecting the opulence of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods.
By the mid-18th century, the design of silver sauce boats had evolved, with some featuring double lips (spouts on both ends) and dual handles, allowing them to be passed around the table more easily. These designs catered to the increasingly sophisticated dining practices of the time, where presentation and service were as important as the food itself.
During the Georgian and Regency periods (late 18th to early 19th centuries), silver sauce boats continued to be a staple on affluent dining tables. English silversmiths, such as Paul Storr, created highly collectible pieces that showcased the neoclassical style, with clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and sometimes featuring applied classical motifs like acanthus leaves and beading.
In the 19th century, the Victorian era brought a revival of elaborate decoration in silverware, including sauce boats. Victorian sauce boats often featured elaborate engravings, repoussé designs, and naturalistic motifs, reflecting the era’s taste for grandeur and detail. The Industrial Revolution also made silver-plated sauce boats more widely available, allowing middle-class households to afford them.
As the 20th century approached, the use of silver sauce boats continued, although their designs became more streamlined with the advent of styles like Art Nouveau and Art Deco. These periods introduced new forms and motifs, often blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Today, silver sauce boats remain a cherished item in both antique collections and formal dining settings. They are prized not only for their functionality but also as works of art that reflect the rich history of silversmithing. Contemporary silversmiths still produce sauce boats, often inspired by classic designs, ensuring that this elegant piece of tableware continues to hold a place in modern dining traditions.
Situated within the Central belt of Scotland (UK), we are a small, family run business. Indeed, we traded in silver for many years before forming Dart Silver Ltd in 2006.
