Silver objects have been around for thousands of years and used for both decorative and utilitarian purposes. They range from flatwares, tea and coffee wares, drinking vessels, to serving dishes and centerpieces and that's just tablewares. Personal items such as cigarette cases, vesta cases, vinaigrettes, watch chains were common place and fashionable. These items along with novelty pin cushions, nutmeg graters, snuff boxes are all extremely collectable. Many silversmiths are collected in their own right, Paul de Lamerie, Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, Robert Garrard, to name a few even up to modern day silversmiths such as Stuart Devlin. Novel, interesting or unusual are at a premium.