| Author |
Across the Fence:  Antique Silverware...  |
|
|
catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - May 02 2008 : 7:42:00 PM
|
I would like to start collecting silverware to use everyday. The more mis-matched, the better but I know I can't put them in the dishwasher, there are different types and values. Any suggestions? Do you like yours? Thanks.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
|
|
KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 7:53:28 PM
|
I have three sets--2 from my Nanny and one from my Great Aunt. They are both Rogers Brothers and one dates from 1920 and the other 1940. I wash mine and dry them by hand...some folks aren't really fans of the way silver or silverplate tastes (or smells) with food--like my mom. She just can't stomach the metallic smell. If you wash them and dry them, and don't leave them out for moisture, it's fine...but if they're exposed to moisture, you need a silver polish and that STINKS. I only use mine for special occasions, simply because they're family pieces and I don't want them to get pitted or have to replace the silverplate--and my husband likes to SOAK dishes and I know for sure they'd end up in the dishwater for 3 days like my cast iron....
At large antique shows (like Burlington) I saw plenty of mismatched silver pieces for a buck a pop--that's not a big thing, so it would be easy to collect some each time.
I like my everyday stainless for everyday...but love the patterns of all the old flatware. I guess it just depends on you :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
 |
|
|
CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 8:07:27 PM
|
heather .. i have tons of 'silverplate' knives, forks and spoons .. probably enough to feed a hundred people. i collected it the ten years that i did tea parties .. and most of it was anywhere from 25 cents to a dollar. i would often find sets for four or six settings for very little money. you can even find this quite reasonably now at antiques shoppes. i used to also go to AWESOME yard sales in denver, colorado .. where i got much of it before i even started the tea parties. now i only collect 'interesting serving pieces' .. and always 'table spoons'. i call them my SOUP, STEW, SALAD, CEREAL, SUGAR SPOONS .. they can be used for so many purposes. i also love teensy spoons. i found that when you USE them .. they don't tend to 'tarnish' as much as if they just lie in a drawer somewhere. i actually thought it was fun to take it all out and polish it from time to time. but loving 'primitive' . i also never much minded a little 'patina' on them. most of them are probably blackened by now .. as they have been packed in the schoolhouse for FIVE years now (except for my purchases since i've lived in kentucky.) i also love 'butter knives'.
NOW .. when it comes to the 'good silver' .. the STERLING .. you will want to probably take a little more care with it.
my nannie left me a set of sixteen place settings .. i don't use 'fancy stuff' here in the cabins .. so .. i split them and gave half to each daughter. i just love it more than most silverplate .. but i must admit .. that daughter wednesday got me am 8-piece setting of 'stainless' with BLACK handles that i love that looks great here in the cabins.
my favorite favorite though is the olde bone and wood handled .. now those spoons and fork tines and knife blades do indeed rust if you don't get the water off of them. but they are so wonderfully primitive.
would love to see pics of what you collect! happy hunting!!!
i didn't use my dishwasher (never have use one much). i would polish it from time to time .. and it is ALL i used .. didn't use stainless at all.
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 05:08:00 AM
|
I keep silverplate spoons near the coffeemaker for use with coffee and tea. I did purchase an entire set of silverplate but, like Jonni's mom, didn't like the 'aftertaste' of the silver. (So for everyday, I bought a set of stainless, which I love, at Crate & Barrel.) But using the silverplate spoons in my tea doesn't bother me a bit.
When I bought my stainless, the 'how to care for your stainless' brochure stated emphatically not to allow the stainless to soak in water. So I try to wash all silverplate/stainless promptly and let it air dry (no dishwasher here).
I do love to pick up odd serving pieces, especially tiny spoons and such, for use at teas. And wouldn't you love to go into Frannie's schoolhouse and see all those treasures, by the way??
www.youaretoocreative.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 05:12:28 AM
|
I look for baby spoons, engraved are a real find. ladles, and any real interesting looking piece. You can see some of them on my site, they are in pitchers on the stove. I use them and they all go in the dishwasher.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 06:47:36 AM
|
gurlz .. COME ON DOWN! I SWEAR .. THIS will be the spring/summer i get to digging in there!!!!
and the very BEST shoppe i have ever ever ever found in my life for wonderful silverplate (and sterling) is in toledo, ohio .. just off airport road .. can't think of the name of it now . but if anyone lives in that area and wants to visit .. e-mail me and i'll see if i can find the number. it is hit or miss .. i'm sure it is not ALWAYS loaded with great silverware .. but it sure is EVERY time i've ever visited. oh .. and fine LINENS too! One booth just overflows with them .. they are all PRISTINE and sharly starched and ironed. and oh so REASONABLY priced. I never leave without both silver and linens!
xo
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
|
| |
Across the Fence: Antique Silverware... |
|
Antique Silverware...
