I have an authetic American silverplate teapot that dates from the Civil War. Virtually all the pate has been worn off, leaving the pot dark, as if it were made of lead.
I wish to serve tea in it, as it is sound for this purose, but it looks rather dark and unappealing. Re-silvering it would restore its brillance.
However, it IS an historical piece, and being 140 years old, I'm told that I could ruin the value of the piece by altering it in this way.
What to do? Ruin the value by re-silvering it so that can be used, or leaving it sitting on a shelf looking like an inheiretance from the Addams Family?
I'm torn both ways, and hope that someone has the insight to sway me one way of the other.
Thanks for all imput!
2006-11-24 01:39:23 · 12 answers · asked by silvercomet 6 in Food & Drink ➔ Entertaining
Hi, Jes,
We serve tea virtually every day, here; and I use the full serice (coffee pot, chocolate pot, teapot, kettle--also silver; matches the full set--, sugar & creamer, silver teaspoons and serving pieces and tray), once a week.
This set gets a royal workout year round, and is no mere ornament.
Next time you're north of Atlanta, give us a call, and we'd be delighted to give you tea & homebaked pastries!
2006-11-24 02:00:03 · update #1
Truly I must agree what is more important the value of the teapot or the desire for it to serve its purpose.. in any case only you can decide what the TRUE value is of such a piece... Please check this out.. I found it due to your questions
http://www.silversmithing.com/silver/
2006-11-24 01:52:05 · answer #1 · answered by mandie_j_lee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally the resilvering of a classic piece does not reduce the value but enhances it- due to the nature of replating the time of restoration or even if it is restoresd in not detectable as the technique is now the same as it was when made- basically the plating is by immersing the teapot in a silver nitrate solution and by means of an electric current moving silver ions from a bar of silver to the object to be plated- the other item is that silver plated object even historically do not have huge values- so it is for your enjoyment I would recommend the restoration
Hope ths helps- Hugh Sutherland-Carriage Trade Wines
2006-11-24 09:51:18 · answer #2 · answered by Hugh S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep the piece authentic, and serve in something else. Are you in America? So how often are you serving people tea anyway. And no "Well, if I had this I would" junk. Don't destroy some history so you can have a tea party.
Talk to an antiques dealer to decide what to do with it, if you are set on altering it.
At a rummage sell, my mom found a full tea service (tray, pot, urns, everything) that was silver, and got it for $15. Check for something like that to serve your tea in.
2006-11-24 09:49:26 · answer #3 · answered by Jes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I would leave it as is. Maybe turn it into a centerpiece or proudly display it when you serve the tea from another teapot. I wouldn't mess with the historical value of something that old. And it would be a really neat conversation starter, explaining to people its history.
2006-11-24 09:52:51 · answer #4 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's more important to you, the teapot's asthetic qualities, or the value? Personally, if the teapot was sound as is, I would leave it dark. It has more history that way. If you are more concerned about how it looks on the mantel when not in use, then plate it.
Antiques are only worth money if you plan to sell them. if you are going to use it, do what's best for the quality of the tea.
2006-11-24 09:44:52 · answer #5 · answered by Chanel #5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd talk to a professional restorer and make it pretty again. What's the use of having gorgeous things if you can't enjoy them. I think the pleasure you'll get from using it will be more valuable than the market price anyways. I could be wrong, but you just sound like the sort of person who would.
2006-11-24 10:08:12 · answer #6 · answered by Shane 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tea pots come in all sorts of prices. Get a cheep one and don't ruin the 140 year old one. Keep it and pass it along the family line.
2006-11-24 16:12:54 · answer #7 · answered by I am a Muppet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truly if it would make the value of the set lower, then leave it alone.The people that drink out of it know that it is old, so serve them as is.I would love to see the set myself, sounds gorgeous.
2006-11-24 13:45:58 · answer #8 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess I would take it to an appraiser and find out the value before I made any decision as what to do with it.
2006-11-24 09:44:59 · answer #9 · answered by Dave B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
start making tea in the micro wave oven
2006-11-24 09:43:07 · answer #10 · answered by matzaballboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋