How should you go about collecting
and purchasing Antique
Silver?
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 .50 CTW Round Diamond Stud Earrings  Emerald & Diamond 3 Stone Ring  Art Deco Diamond Chevron Band  Heart Pink Sapphire & Diamond Ring
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Now days everyone I meet seems to enjoy browsing the many
antique shops around and have started a collection of some sort. One item that
seems to be particularly popular to collect is vintage silverware, because it
is relatively easy to find.
Originally some people started off their collection by
getting a few pieces which they would use for serving at dinner parties or even
collecting a full set to be used on special occasions. Whatever the reason, it
is wonderful to know a little about this particular antique and hopefully help
when you are looking to purchase pieces in the future.
The first thing you need to consider is whether you wish to
buy sterling silver or silver plate. During the 1700 and 1800's setting your
table with sterling silverware it was a sign of wealth in
The next thing you will need to consider is what sort of
pattern you are going to collect. There are hundreds of patterns and styles as
well as many different makers of these items. The best of way of avoiding only
having a half set of one particular pattern is to look for ones that you can
mix and match. This is one of the best ways of putting together a good quality
set of vintage silverware and by the end you should have a service that is not only
practical but is a pleasant visual experience when arranged on your dining
table.
From the 1870's to about the 1920's the popularity of
silverware being used was at its peak. Many makers of silverware would make up
to 100 different pieces of a particular pattern. Certainly during Victorian
times dining had become a very elaborate affair, with sometimes as many as
eight or more courses being served to the guests. Each dinner would obviously
begin with soup, this would be followed by a salad course, then you would have
a fruit course (supposed to help cleanse the palate) and then the other courses
would follow i.e., fish, meat, desert, cheese and more fruit. So you would find
that there were a large variety of forks, knives and spoons laid out on the table
to compliment each course. Certainly when searching for a particular pattern
that you are collecting in the myriad of antique shops around you will not only
find knives, forks and spoons you may find a set of lovely demitasse spoons
(used with coffee) or even the more rarer of items terrapin forks (which would
have been used for eating turtles)!
As you look around the antique shops for pieces to add your
collection you will occasionally find pieces that have been repaired. Although
this does not generally ruin the appearance of the item, it may be reduce its value, but if the item shows slight signs of wear
it does not decrease its value (it just shows that it was a much used and loved
item). What I would suggest you do not purchase is items that have been
extremely tarnished. Items that are often highly tarnished will hide signs of
damage and any imperfections on them and they even may have been altered to
make them appear rarer than they are. It has been known for spoons to have been
cut sometimes so that they in fact resemble an ice cream fork or have been
pierced to look like a sugar shifter (both of which seem to be extremely rare
items to find).
Now you have made that all important purchase you will now
need to know everything possible on how to preserve the items beauty and value.
At all times these items should be stored in a dry place, preferably if
possible a silver file or drawer. Cover the pieces with a soft cloth to prevent
any tarnishing and when they need polishing use only a non abrasive silver
polish and a soft polishing cloth. Again you must remember to wash and dry them
thoroughly, using only warm water with a weak detergent mixture in and soft
cloths to dry them with.
If you become serious about building up a good collection of
silverware it is an idea to educate yourself on collecting silverware. Not only
can you purchase books on the subject over the internet or go to your local
library or bookstore, you could even carry out a search on "antique
silverware" at any one of the search engines available on the web (such as
Google).
But for now just have a great time rummaging through the
many aisles and stalls at various antique shops or markets searching for the
most beautiful pattern of vintage silverware you could imagine.
About the Author
Allison Thompson a work from home mum now
living in
