Silver plate is a general term for articles made of copper, nickel, britannia metal, or even zinc, which have been coated with a thin layer of pure silver.

Originally, articles were made of silver plate because it was cheaper than solid silver, but, when new, looked exactly the same. Thus, the market for tableware was broadened to people who couldn't afford silver.

The first example of silver "plated" ware was developed in the mid-1700's. Thomas Boulsover developed a process of fusing a thin silver sheet to a block of copper, and rolling this block over and over until it bacame a thin sheet of copper, with an even thinner sheet of silver on one side. From this sheet, articles were made. These articles are termed Old Sheffield Plate.