Silver-gilt

Apart from the raw materials being much less expensive to acquire than solid gold of any karat, large silver-gilt objects are also noticeably lighter, as well as more durable.

[2] Fire-gilding with mercury dates to at least the 4th century BC, and was the most common method until the Early Modern period at least.

"[5][8] Silver objects could be gilded at any point, not just when first made, and items regularly handled, such as toilet service sets for dressing-tables or tableware, often needed regilding after a few years, as the gold began to wear off.

[9] Often only the interior of cups was gilded, perhaps from concern at the chemical compounds used to clean tarnish from silver.

[10] The English Gothic Revival architect Sir George Gilbert Scott was concerned by the morality of this.

"[11] Indeed, some Early Medieval silver-gilt Celtic brooches had compartments apparently for small lead weights to aid such deception.