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Silverware- Process of Making Silver Plated Objects

Silverware made in Cambodia are among the finest and most intricate in the world.  The process of creating these silver plated objects starts with the hand pressing of copper/ bronze mixtures into sheets, right through to the final electroplating stage. Every step of making a Cambodian silver plated or silver object is a piece of art. The process of making a 10 cm cube/box, for example, involves nine steps and takes approximately 24 man-hours.

The first stage is the hand pressing of a copper/bronze mixture into sheets. It is during this stage that the objects are created according to the individual  workmanship styles of the silversmith. When ready, the sheet is then placed on a wooden tray coated with hot melted wax. Additional wax is poured around the borders of the sheet to keep the sheet in place. This sheet is then left overnight to set and dry.

Once the wax is set and dry, the shape of the box is drawn onto the sheet (the shape is the same as that used for making die cut boxes). The silversmith draws the motifs onto the sheet and begins the process of chassing which involves working the detail on the front of the sheet. Traditional metal tools of varying sizes and a wooden hammer are used to do this. When the chassing is completed, the tray is heated to melt the hot wax. The sheet is then removed and turned over and the wax left to set. Once set, the process of repousse begins where the details are worked on the reverse side. Finally, the wax is melted again, the sheet turned back to the “chassing” side and the details are finalized. This design, repousse and chassing step takes a painstaking 20 manhours and this does not include the time it takes for the wax to set and reset 3 times.

Scissors are used to cut out the shape of the box. The trimmed sheet is then bent and manipulated to create the desired shape. The lid of the box and the base are matched up before welding occurs. As all the pieces are individually handmade, the process of matching the lids with the base is a process of trial and error to find the perfect fit. Any bits of metal that may stick out of the box are heated and either burned into ash or welded into the box. The joints and rough edges are smoothed out with a metal file and scourer of varying degrees of thickness and grades. The object is then placed in a mixture of acid wash to get rid of impurities. Following this, the box is plunged into soapy water (laundry detergent) and polished with a metal scourer until smooth and shiny.

Once the box is smooth and clean, it is electroplated. Electroplating involves placing the box in a solution containing silver ions and passing an electric current through it. This causes the silver ions to adhere to the box. The silver plated box is taken out and left to dry in direct sunlight which ensures the box is completely dry. The shine of the silver is enhanced by the drying in direct sunlight.

In the final stage, soot is rubbed onto the silverplated object to intensify and enhance the relief.

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