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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Nikkishewolf on August 08, 2009, 06:08:46 PM
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Hello to all, managed to unearth these pretty bottles. They are so tiny, would they be considered bottles? The smallest is 1 3/8"x1 1/2" , the other is 2"x 1 1/2" . The tallest actually has the glass
stopper still in it fully intact. The larger one's lid is marked sterling on inside lid. The other lid is
quite a bit softer, it looks like the floral design was pressed in. It seems very delicate and I don't
know what kind of cleaner to use on it if any. I've been reading how some say to leave it alone or
you'll ruin the patina. Do we want a patina on silver? Thank you for your time.
Best regards, Nicolle
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab135/nikkishewolf/pie005.jpg)
(http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab135/nikkishewolf/pie008.jpg)
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You're right about there being lots of opinions about 'patina' .
When it comes to silver , my general rule-of-thumb is to arrest (stop) oxidation .
If the item is very thin/fragile , I'll usually use an extended & time consuming cleaning process with Orvus Wa paste , distilled water and either grain alcohol (Everclear) or +90% isopropyl alcohol & completely skip the 'polishing' step .
If you must polish (which will tend to accent the defects & assets of an item) , always do so gently ... this can & will leave some dark 'patinaed' in the deeper details of a piece that has been carved/stamped/repousee & will tend to accent the 'shiny' parts .
Also always remember to dry your silver totally , after washing with water .
Many collectors will use a simple waxing & buffing method to coat & semi-seal silver after cleaning/polishing ; others use lacquer , clear-coats & such (I'd never use these last methods , myself) .
There are silver-impregnated cloths that folks use to store &/or display their silver in/on - these are reputed to slow/prevent tarnishing of sterling silver .
That's my quick 2 cents worth .
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I greatly appreciate your 2 cents. The larger of the 2 I think would stand up to a gentle cleaning, the
smaller one seems very "soft" around bottom edges. I personally like an aged look. I don't want them
to look brand new. Thank You so much for your time. Best Regards, Nicolle
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Is the lid for the smaller bottle a screw lid or a pressed cap lid?
I like the smaller bottle, it appears to be "pressed glass".
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My 2 cents...the top appears for apothecary reasons....and the second is for a woman's dressing table ( which were very common in the early 90's.
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Thank you kindly for responding. No, the smaller lid has no threads and sits nicely on top of the bottle/
jar. The glass has what looks like serrated edges on the sides. I found slightly similar ones while reading
and they seem to always claim they're crystal. At least the ones that were for sale. I think it's glass
and a pretty piece. Still wary about cleaning the lid though. It has a miniscule mark of some kind in the
lid, I might take it to my local jewelers and see if he'll loupe it. Darn curiosity of mine.
The bigger bottles lid is sturdy and it's threaded. I really like the glass stopper. I was amazed at all
information out there just for bottles. I have lots of old medicine, pop and liquor bottles. Lot of work
ahead of me, looking forward to being a detective.
Thank You again for your time and I'm enjoying this site. It's very educational and humorous also.
Best Regards, Nicolle