When people say that someone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth they mean that the person they are talking about is either posh or wealthy or both.

The origin of this bizarre saying goes back at least to the 16th-century. In Tudor times, if you were invited to dinner, you were expected to bring your own cutlery a knife and a spoon. Owning a silver, rather than a wooden or pewter spoon, would mark you out as prosperous. Silver is still prized today.

British craftsmen maintain the hallmark system which had its origins in the Middle Ages.

To find out more, I sought out the expert advice of David Marcus of Reginald Davies in The High, Oxford.

Is collecting silver still a rich man's hobby?

"Money certainly helps, with early, rare and novelty pieces always making high prices. However, if you choose certain objects, such as spoons, then you can still build a collection and enjoy silver without having to spend a fortune. Prices for solid silver spoons start from as little as £10, so spoons are an excellent buy. Larger pieces will cost more but prices for many items of Georgian silver have not risen significantly over the last few years making old silver a good buy in my opinion."

If you wanted to start a collection of, say, silver spoons, what would you look for and where should you start hunting?

"There is a wide diversity of styles and dates and pieces to suit all pockets and most interests. Some people try to collect souvenir spoons, or the rarer provincial assay offices, while others like to concentrate on a set period or monarch's reign.

Eighteenth-century spoons are still widely available and excellent value. I would say the most important thing is to buy pieces in good original condition, with no restoration or alterations. Spoons can be found in many places, including general antique shops, specialist silver shops, secondhand shops, auction sales, markets and antique fairs.

What would you recommend for someone who wants to collect curiosities, such as vinaigrettes and nutmeg graters?

"Firstly you will need to have deep pockets! Prices for the more unusual curiosities like vinaigrettes and nutmeg graters can far exceed £1, 000 for each piece. The more standard patterns of vinaigrettes are still good value, with excellent examples available for under £300. I would suggest you try to visit as many good dealers and museum collections as possible, so that you can get a feel for how pieces should look for each period."

What are the advantages and pitfalls of collecting silver?

"The advantages can be many. I love the fact that, owing to the hallmarking system you are able to date each piece to the exact year and town in which it was made, and the maker can usually be easily identified. How wonderful to own a piece that was carried by an 18th-century lady or gentleman just think of all the conversations and the happy or sad endeavours they have witnessed.

"Some of the workmanship on old silver is quite exquisite, this makes owning, handling nd appreciating the pieces such a wonderful experience. And, as prices of silverware are usually rising, this makes a collection potentially a good investment.

"Pitfalls? Prices can go down as well as up, thieves can steal your collection, you can, in rare circumstances, buy a fake. Remember the rarer a piece is, or if it appears to be a too good to be true' bargain, then it is more than likely that something is amiss.

Is it a good idea to concentrate on particular designers, makers or pieces of local interest?

"Local interest is difficult in the Oxford area, as there have been relatively few silversmiths in Oxfordshire over the years, and Oxford has not had its own town assay mark. Some collectors will specialise in a particular area, such as Scottish, Irish or English provincial assay towns such as Chester, Newcastle or Exeter.

Famous makers are collected with silver just as with any other antiques and there are many important and famous names to collect covering most periods. Georgian silversmiths include Paul de Lamerie, Hester Bateman and Paul Storr, or the later 20th-century makers, including Liberty, Omar Ramsden and The Guild of Handicrafts.

Is there a reference book you would recommend?

A good hallmark book is essential. I would recommend Bradbury's Book of Hallmarks, it is widely available and you will easily become an instant expert, able to date most pieces from 1544 onwards.

Do you have a personal collection? What find would have you opening the champagne? What curio makes a good dinner party talking point?

"I love the Art Nouveau period 1880-1910 and I have collected a few small pieces over the years. A fine piece by The Guild of Handicrafts or my favourite silversmith Gilbert Marks would certainly have me opening the champagne.

"After dinner, I like to talk about some of the strange objects we have bought and sold over the years. There are two favourites of mine, one is a 17th-century silver mounted bezoar stone. These rare stones are found in the gall bladder or stomach of goat and are believed by many, including royalty, to have some magical powers.

"We also had a large silver locket dated 1810. It had a hinged opening cover revealing under a domed clear glass a caul. A caul is an extra skin that, in rare cases, some babies are born with and covers the head or face. The caul is also said to have magic charm properties. You can imagine how shrivelled it looked after almost 200 years!

"I say now it's time to feed my pet' and produce my rare inkwell in the form of a lizard, dated 1897. It has a green glass body and a silver head.

"I may produce something of a puzzle like a rare George III silver box. It looks just like any other plain box of that period, a classic curved shape. It was hallmarked in Birmingham by Wardrell & Kempson, but in one end it hides vinaigrette and this makes it extremely rare. Vinaigrettes were carried by both men and women. A piece of sponge was soaked and placed under the pierced grill so, when necessary, the air could be sweetened."

Reginald Davies, 34, The High Street, Oxford. Call 01865 248347 Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 10am-6pm