Antique-shop.com
Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: xmelax38 on August 17, 2012, 09:27:37 am
-
Hello Everyone! I hope everyone has a nice weekend! I am not sure how this guy who sold us a lot of boxes missed this item in the boxes, but he did. He claims they are boxes he did not go through. He buys from estate sales and estate auctions and buys for his local shop. He sold us some surprise boxes. Anyway this item was down inside one of the boxes (along with a bunch of wedgewood plates and saucers and such). We do not know what it is. However it is marked Sterling Silver.
Hoping one of you all can identify it. It is very tarnished. It looks old to us.
Thanks so much ahead of time. :)
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu247/jellymel36/003.jpg)
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu247/jellymel36/002.jpg)
-
We wonder if it might be a part of something. The ball on the end has a hole in it. The handle at the end is hollow (has a hole too).
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu247/jellymel36/006.jpg)
(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu247/jellymel36/004.jpg)
-
Hi,
After 24 years in the Royal Navy, it looks like an old style Bosuns call used for piping the routines and ceremonial occasions on-board warships.
hope that helps :-)
Regards
Neil
-
Wow! Good call! Thank you so so much! I was amazed, when I just blew on the end of it and it whistled! That is very cool!
Thanks again!
-
Again, very cool! I keep blowing on it! Also, another question: It is better to clean the tarnish off or keep it on for the old look? Should we keep it the way it is or buy some tarnish remover?
Thanks again!
-
Some people like the tarnish, but most (including me) would rather buy clean silver. Also, polished silver holds its value better.
-
Thanks Neil221 for chiming in on this one !! I have never seen one before !! Silver wasn`t meant to be left in a tarnished and dirty looking state !! Clean it !! Nice find !!
-
all the dents / marks will show if cleaned but would clean ! value in UK would be £159-200
-
This is a very personal decision as you can tell. If the seller can forsee that an item is in Excellent condition then they polish to sell. If it is uncertain then most top sellers do not polish. It also helps with the intrigue of age to show that it is older and usually helps with the bidding frenzy! So, personal decision on your part!
As for personal belongings....I would polish it up.
-
Hi, I am sorry...that I have not replied sooner to the responses to my questions. I really appreciate the input. I have had some rough days and have not been on too much. I really appreciate the input on it from everyone. :) I will buy some polish remover and try cleaning it up. We have this silver lightning plates I bought but I have to tell you that it just has not worked for us. I am going to buy something much better. :)
-
Sorry you are having a rough time !! Hope it gets better for you !! What are silver lightening plates?? Something to clean it with ?? if you just need cleaner try ketchup plus a tsp baking soda ?? dip a cloth in the ketchup and touch it on the soda and scrub gently with a soft cloth !! then wash, dry and buff to shine !!
-
Mart, if I am correct the Lightening plates being sold are aluminum and and then you place your silver on top of the aluminum, add hot water/ baking soda to cover the tarnished silver and the chemical reaction eats away the tarnish (and the silver). (People can do this with simple aluminum foil that they use in the kitchen!)
It is okay to use...but it eats away your silver and your silverplate is thin enough! Not recommended by silver lovers.
-
I personally hate polished silver, unless its a display piece or ceremonious piece. Small curios however remained tarnished in this household. You may find after cleaning this, the dents become very much more noticeable. Having said that I would sell in its condition its in now. That way there are no doubts about its age.
-
Mart, if I am correct the Lightening plates being sold are aluminum and and then you place your silver on top of the aluminum, add hot water/ baking soda to cover the tarnished silver and the chemical reaction eats away the tarnish (and the silver). (People can do this with simple aluminum foil that they use in the kitchen!)
It is okay to use...but it eats away your silver and your silverplate is thin enough! Not recommended by silver lovers.
oh !! like with the tide washing powder !!
-
How do you clean silver with Tide?
-
The best way to clean silver (weve been using for years ) get some ALUMINIUM foil loosely wrap item put in hot water add traditional baking soda and simmer ., all the dirt sticks to the aluminium and the item comes out sparkling clean ! TRY it and report here how it goes I know it works for me
-
bbc-Antiques, you are right, I did some Googleing and found that aluminum foil and baking soda is the best way to remove the “tarnish” off of silver.
Actually, it doesn’t remove the “tarnish” (silver sulfide), ….. it removes the sulfide and leaves the silver intact.
In other words, it reverses the chemical reaction that created the “tarnish”, to wit"
Hydrogen sulfide gas in the air + silver = tarnish (silver sulfide)
Baking soda + Aluminum foil + tarnish = silver
If you “scrub” the tarnish off the silver then you are “scrubbing” off part of the silver.
So, ..... "restore" your tarnished silver items , ........ don't be polishing them. ;D ;D
-
Yes its great to do the item fizzes and bubbles as gases released I think you can also use cheap washing soda for good results , I started using this method 20 yrs ago after finding a reference in a Victorian Mrs Beaton type book , the first item i did was a huge silver table mirror which was heavily tarnished with bird droppings and muck and stubborn stains it came out gleaming ! you can even do silver plate if you monitor it constantly
-
I looked up what Mart said about Tide....it is any detergent with Borax! Works the same as baking soda!
Also, FYI to help that shine last longer for items that are on display...you can get a professionally applied overcoat or you can get this item and do it yourself which is gentler on your items, Renaissance Wax
RENAISSANCE (http://RENAISSANCE)
THis is an excellent site full of helpful information!
http://www.silversmithing.com/care.htm (http://www.silversmithing.com/care.htm)
You know those little packs of silica gel/moisture absorbers that come in vitamins, medicines, shoe boxes, etc. KEEP THOSE and place in tea cups, drawers, shelves in your china cabinets to absorb moisture to keep your display silver from tarnishing so fast!!!! (My friends know to keep them for me...they think I am nuts...which I am!) You can also buy a large jar of this item in hardware stores (turns from blue to pink when saturated). Did you know that you can dry out those crystals in a low oven (remove and put in another container or you will most likely have a disaster!) - it will turn blue and you can use it over and over and over. Virtually endless!!!!
If not,here is a great source for the moisture absorber! It is also great for your gun safes, safes in general, closets, etc.
http://www.dehumidify.com/ (http://www.dehumidify.com/)
-
KC,, I have also heard,, but haven`t tried,, cheap kitty litter in small containers dehumidifies too !!
-
I haven't been on again for a little bit. I got back on to see the replies and wow! You all have some really interesting/great input (ideas) on how to clean tarnish off! Thanks for the information! I absolutely LOVE this Forum! :) I will give it a try.
-
The best cloth I have found to use for cleaning and not scratching....gauze diapers!!!! Hard to find them anymore (they make the multilayer ones now that are sewn together)!