Lead will make a nasty mess with silver when heated to higher temperatures
as it will "eat into" the surface and so in modern times is strictly avoided
for use with silver. I would not be surprised to find that guild
regulations would forbid it's use on silver.
Thomas Powers
Blacksmith
> Dear all,
> In my quest to find answers to some questions it was suggested to me to
> post here for help.
> The subject is the following: The use of soft solder on late medieval
> silver plate.
>
> There seems to be enough technical evidence to suggest that the use of soft
> solder (tin-lead alloys) during manufacture on gilded silver is impossible.
> The melting temperature of the solder is below the temperature at which the
> fire-gilding would be applied.
> So the presence of such a solder would be the result of a repair (and
> contemporary silversmiths would almost certainly argue it is an
> unprofessional repair...) with the exception for when used in the presence
> of heat sensitive material ie. for the mounting of enamelled plaques.
> In the absence of gilding there is no obvious technical reason for a soft
> solder to be not used during manufacture. (although there may be other
> minor disadvantages)
> I am wondering though if there is any evidence in the regulations by guilds
> governing the alloys used for solders? so far I have only been able to find
> regulations governing the alloy compositions of the main body of objects.
> When solders are mentioned it is more to suggest that not to much may be
> used.
>
> Another issue I'm struggling with is the definitions/ use of terms like
> goldsmith, silversmith, jeweller or plate worker. Is there evidence to
> suggest that there was a certain extend of specialisation in craftmanship
> in different workshops to either produce plate or jewellery and what names
> were used for these professions?
>
> Looking forward to any suggestions or points of discussion.
> Sincerely, Maickel van Bellegem.
> (metalsconservator, the British Museum, London)
Thomas Powers
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