The Silver Antiques Insider

Living With Silver Antiques

Collecting can be a truly enriching experience but as the catalogue grows your innocent hobby can become detrimental to the inner harmony of your home. No self-respecting collector wants to keep her treasures boxed up, so how are you going to display all that stuff?

The heirloom hutch might be an obvious choice, otherwise, many older homes come equipped with mantles, lintels, and ledges but in the case of fine silver antiques, I must warn against all of the above. According to Pamela Wiggins (about.com) certain types of finishes and even some types of unvarnished wood emit vapours that “cause an adverse chemical reaction with silver, which can lead to heartbreaking damage.”

Furthermore, prolonged exposure to moisture can catalyze the tarnishing process. According to Ken Arnold, the author of Caring For Your Collectibles, silver should be displayed in an environment where the relative humidity is maintained at a level of 45 - 50 percent.

Enclosed cabinets with glass shelves and glass-fronted doors are ideal display cases (like those you can see in use over at Nelson & Nelson Antiques). They offer the best viewing privileges while also providing protection and some potential to control your collection’s exposure to tarnish-inducing humidity.

With just a little organization and a bit of understanding we can all get the most out of living with an antique silver collection.

But no matter how nice your display looks, just be sure not to lock your silver away until the end of time. Keep in mind that antique silver artifacts were designed for everyday functions. Regular use and subsequent cleaning creates the sheen, sometimes referred to as patina, which sets old silver apart from its ersatz modern-day relatives and makes the collection of silver antiques a truly rewarding pursuit.

Old-Timey And Eco-Friendly To Boot

Over the last few years there’s been a big push to promote eco-awareness and minimize the impact of this notoriously wasteful season. Last year, Time magazine published Maryanne Murray Buechner’s article on “How to Have a Green Christmas” and now, in her report for The New York Times, Penelope Green has named 2007 “The Year Of Eco Decorating.”

I couldn’t help but notice that fine silver antiques were not mentioned once in either article. While it’s pretty safe to say that sustainability was the last thing on the mind of any turn-of-the-century mine engineer, the silversmiths, to their credit, were committed to producing art with staying power. Their craft champions long-term usability and therefore stands in opposition to the apparent evils of disposable convenience.

So how about a small sample of vintage décor direct from the online catalogue* of Nelson & Nelson Antiques?

First off, for the environmentally aware socialite who has yet to assemble a hoard of holiday ensembles, we offer a large selection of previously enjoyed jewelry and fine accessories.

For the high-minded host we carry a number of antique sterling silver flatware sets and a whole array of serving dishes and decorative objects, including some truly stunning centerpieces.

Better than a tin-can reindeer, n’est-ce pas?

Finally, for those of you looking to make a more literal “green statement” this holiday season, check out our collection of Art Nouveau emerald crystal vases all adorned with delicate sterling silver overlay. These pieces were produced at the turn-of-the-century by various silversmith firms along America’s east coast, most notably those who eventually merged in 1933 to form the Hickok Matthews Company in Newark, New Jersey. Each piece is made of a rich, emerald green crystal and adorned with sterling silver overlay in the Art Nouveau style. Leafy silver tendrils flow across and entwine each glass in a cool, organic pattern.

And there you have it. Why support the high-stakes game of modern manufacturing when you can enjoy a timeless antique whose artistry outshines all the latest fads?

* Please note: most, but not all, of Nelson & Nelson’s inventory can be viewed in the online catalogue. Any interested parties may want to visit the store at its Manhattan location.

Old Silver For The New Victorians

I took advantage of the warm weather a few weeks ago by meeting an old friend for a Scrabble game at Washington Square. Upon arriving early my attempts to stroll around the park were impeded by a throng of baby strollers and at one point I was nearly trampled by a pint-sized stampede. I was reminded of something I’d read this past summer.

It was an article published by The New York Observer (you can read it in full here), in which Lizzy Ratner flashed on a current lifestyle trend of the 20-something set. She claims they lead sensible lives, concern themselves with dinner parties and child rearing, and are determined to reap the benefits of hearth and home. In short, they’re harkening back to the styles and ideals of “Rule, Britannia.” They are part of a young, success-driven generation that she christened The New Victorians.

“The current obsession with food preparation…is totally New Victorian. So, too, the current rage for blousy, maternity-style tops, mutual funds and bathroom renovation.”

Ratner's observations ring true. According to this article by Myreille Simard, the new season has brought with it a revival in Victorian interior design motifs: rich tones, Rococo prints, and wall murals. All that’s missing is some heavy wooden furniture with deep, stuffed upholstery, and, of course, an abundance of sterling silver antiques.

Sterling silver production reached an apex in the Victorian Age. At the height of the British Empire crafters were gifted with the finances and the incentive to take their creations to the next level. In an epoch noted for industrial advancements, most of these artisans worked with their hands. They paid particular attention to detail and imbued each piece with a unique, human touch. Because sterling silver “offers the durability necessary for routine wear without compromising its aesthetic qualities” (www. singbling.com) their art still leaves a lasting impression.

“My Nan owns some Victorian silver,” said Emelia Luckhurst. I hadn’t seen her since our boarding school days together and I wasn’t all that surprised to learn that she’s now a mother of three. Her youngest daughter played in the sandbox under the watchful eye of a nanny while Emily and I sat, drinking tea, with a Scrabble board between us. I asked her to describe the collection. “The one I remember most is a figurine - two little baby birds nestled together. Something about it really drew my attention. It wasn’t that big,” she said cupping her hands, “but it was so beautiful.”

Indeed, the Victorian aesthetic is synonymous with elegance and fine detail. See it for yourself in the online catalogue of Nelson & Nelson Antiques. Each Victorian sterling silver artifact holds an air of historical prestige and the warmth of a handcrafted tradition. Purchasing one is a worthwhile investment that reflects a refined taste.

So, whether you’re searching for a centerpiece to elevate your dining experience or an objet d’art to act as a conversation piece in a crowded drawing room, know that sterling silver antiques are an essential element of any New Victorian home.