Historically, in England and elsewhere, silver was and still is a precious metal that only the very rich could afford.
Since most of the land’s wealth belonged to the monarchy prior to more egalitarian spread, silver objects were made by monarchs, noblemen and some traders as gifts for services rendered, marriages or as trading gifts. Hence the reference to Georgian, Queen Anne, etc.
It was a symbol of wealth and a display of handsome silverware on a sideboard spoke volumes for the status of the owner. Early sideboards were nothing like the modern ones. These had backs that reached the ceiling with different-sized shelves to display plate, urns and other domestic ware.
