The Silver Antiques Insider

Spring Cleaning And Your Antique Silver

Don't over clean silver antiques like this 19th-century soup tureen! 

It's spring cleaning season, and here at Nelson and Nelson we'd like to gently remind you that it is possible to over clean your precious antique silver! This account from the Money Talks blog is a great example of why a sparkly shine is great for mirrors, but not antique sterling silver!

One spring, I had a roommate who had brought an old silver coffee urn from back home. It was big and ornate, but also slightly dented and very tarnished. We kept it on our dining room table and used it for the occasional study group that came over. Mostly, it was decorative. So one spring, I asked my roomie if I could polish it up. She said sure – if I was willing to expend the calories, why not?

I really did a great job. That urn sparkled. It wasn’t until years later I learned from my ex-roommate that I had destroyed its value. When the Antiques Roadshow craze took off, she apparently took it for an appraisal and was told it was from the 19th century. But my cleaning had knocked literally hundreds of dollars off its value – something fans of Pawn Stars know from each week’s episode, when someone brings in an antique gun, painting, or jewelry. People who buy antiques don’t want their history washed away. And silver polish is the worst offender.

“Contrary to popular belief, silver does not need constant cleaning and in fact should not be cleaned more than absolutely necessary,” says the Association of Art and Antique Dealers. “Tarnishing does not actually harm silver.”

Read more about cleaning and storing antique silver and remember: Nelson and Nelson handles every facet of cleaning and repair, as also replates worn silver plate items.

Brighten Winter Days With Antique Silver Vases

In the gloom of winter, we always find that fresh flowers are a wonderful way to brighten up a room. But why put a fabulous arrangement of roses or lilies in a cheap glass vase? A beautiful container should be as gorgeous as the flowers it holds, and at Nelson and Nelson, we have a fine selection of exquisite vases to choose from. 


This fabulous, tall antique American sterling silver Art Nouveau figural bud vase is decorated with a stylized peony as the opening, as well as applied leaves and an entwined stem. This vase was made circa 1905 by Redlich Mfg. Co. of New York City exclusively for The Hardy & Hayes Co., which was most likely a small, independent jeweler that consigned various silversmiths to craft decorative items for their retail shop. For more information, click here. 

This beautiful Art Nouveau silver overlay vase has emerald green glass and is intricately design with large flowers and leaves. Large flowers cover the base of the vase and just below the upper rim. The leaves intertwine around the neck of the vase. Made circa 1900, this vase has Alvin hallmarks and is also marked 999/100 G3485-1. For more information, click here. 

This eight-sided Tiffany fluted sterling silver vase is decorated with a beautiful acid etched design of bows, garlands and neoclassical roundels. The design coordinates well with Tiffany’s “Winthrop” pattern flatware. Made by Tiffany & Co. circa 1910, the vase is fully hallmarked with pattern number 18377 A, order number 3224 and the “m” date stamp from this period. For more information, click here. 

 

Celebrate Thanksgiving With Beautiful Antique Sterling Silver

It may be hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is only a week away, and the more industrious of us are already unpacking the china and polishing the silver for the festive meal. If you need a little inspiration for your Thanksgiving table, Nelson and Nelson is happy to showcase some of the wonderful antique silver items we sell.

Call your guests to the table with this charming 20th century ornate Italian sterling silver dinner bell decorated with shell and scroll work and stylized lattice plaques in an acid-etched design. The handle is formed from figural acanthus leaves and the flared base is of a classic gadroon design. It is fully hallmarked with a nice patina and is in excellent condition. For more information, click here.

There's nothing more beautiful than a stunning centerpiece with abundant seasonal flowers and fruits to grace your Thanksgiving table. This spectacular Gorham Martele centerpiece was completed in Providence, RI on June 20, 1907. It is decorated with numerous flowers and with stylized foliage, and, like all Martele pieces, is entirely handmade and chased. The underside of the base is engraved with the monogram “BG” in script and is dated Dec. 2, 1908.  Well documented in L.J. Pristo’s book on Martele, this centerpiece is a collector’s dream! For more information, click here.

Don't forget the small touches that complete the ambiance of a holiday gathering, like this American sterling silver wine coaster decorated with a raised repousse motif of intricate scroll work and flowers. The coaster was made by Mauser Manufacturing Corporation of New York circa 1900 and is fully hallmarked and in excellent condition. For more information, click here.

Antique Inspirations For Downton Abbey Fans!

Since Nelson and Nelson is in the business of buying and selling antique silver and jewelry, we always turn an eager eye to the manner in which people and their surroundings are decorated in lavish period pieces--which is to say we loved Downton Abbey, the PBS miniseries that follows the lives of an aristocratic family in England on the brink of World War I. 

Now, while those of us in North America must wait until January, Series Two of Downton Abbey is already airing in the UK, and this very interesting article from the Daily Mail discusses the painstaking process of selecting props for each episode, which costs over 2 million dollars to produce!

"Each crystal glass is an antique from the era, as are the silver candlesticks, salt cellars and other condiment dishes. Some of the most stunning props actually belong at Highclere Castle, where Downton is filmed. Many others are sourced by the production team.

‘I travel the world to get the best prices for props,’ says art director Charmian Woods."

May we suggest that the Downton Abbey production team take a look at some of our exquisite (and nicely priced) Edwardian items?

This sterling silver mounted cut glass decanter was made by the silversmithing firm of Edward Streeter, London, in 1902. The cut glass body is cut in a hobnail motif with 4 heart shaped sections, and the silver lid, collar and handle are repousse and chased with floral, scroll and foliate motifs. This decanter would look fabulous at one of the lavish dinner parties hosted by the Earl and Countess of Grantham! For more information, click here. 

This is a pristine Edward VII period sterling silver cherub embossed dresser tray made in Birmingham, England 1906. The tray is fully hallmarked with the maker's mark RP, sterling standard town mark and date letter. The center of the tray is embossed and engraved with a winged female caressing a child amidst clouds. Perhaps a lovely item for chambers of Lady Mary? For more information, click here. 


This American Edwardian oval-shaped platinum brooch is decorated with a decorative figural bow and inlaid with small brilliant cut diamonds interspersed with strokes of inlaid emeralds. It would look wonderful on one of the American Crawley heiresses! For more information, click here.  

Antique Silver For A Distinguished Desk

Labor Day is coming up, and with that an end to summer's breeziness and a return to school and office. If you're ready to hunker down at work, why not do so with style and some select antique silver desk accessories from Nelson and Nelson?

The humble paperclip is taken to a beautiful new level with this beautiful sterling silver version decorated with an ornate scroll and leaf design. The raised pedestal holds the hinged mechanism that lifts up to secure a note, invitation, etc. Fully hallmarked, it was made by Frank W. Smith Co. Inc. of Gardner, Mass. and dates to 1895. For more information, click here. 

Ahoy! This swashbuckling letter opener/page turner features a parrot head fashioned in thick gauge silver with figural feathers all engraved. The wood blade has a very dark finish. This unique item was made in London 1886 by Ebenezer Newman. For more information, click here.

This Edwardian novelty item is designed as a square crystal inkwell with starburst-cut base and plain body and was made in Birminghman in 1907. The inkwell is topped with an American open-faced gold-plated watch by Elgin, Circa 1920. For more information, click here.

Antique Silver: When You Need To Retreat--And Treat Yourself!

The holidays are over, but winter is not. Don't you just want to retreat into the perfect bubble bath, perhaps with a glass of wine and a good book? The Seattle Times has a lovely article on how to transform your bathroom into a "spa oasis."

"Fill the room with great accessories. Place a silver tray on your vanity, and fill it with pieces that allow you to organize your stuff in style. For example, put mouthwash in a crystal decanter, cotton balls in an apothecary jars and toothbrushes in an antique cup."

Antique silver offers a clean and carefully curated approach to your home spa, whether it be a simple city bathroom or luxurious suburban hideaway. If you're looking for beautiful bathroom accessories, may we suggest the following?

This beautiful sterling silver cup , manufactured in San Francisco in the 1870s, features a finely engraved egg and dart border. For more information, click here.

This heavy antique sterling mug, made by Charles Fox in London in 1840, would be perfect for a gentleman's shaving brush. Fully hallmarked, the interior is gilded, and the capped C scroll handle features acanthus leaves. For more information, click here.

This stunning Gorham tray is fully hallmarked with Gorham’s makers mark and sterling mark on the underside and is also marked with Gorham’s date symbol for pieces made in 1902. The tray is of shaped oval form with a plain center. The gallery is pierced with scrolling foliate vines and is inset with two handles and has an applied scroll-form border. This tray would be the centerpiece of a gorgeous vanity set. For more information, click here.

More Innovative Antique Silver Ideas

Happy New Year from Nelson and Nelson Antiques!

I don't know about you, but I am generally terrible with New Year's resolutions that are, ahem, too specific. Like "lose ten pounds" or "balance my checkbook" or "clean out the coat closet." When it comes to generalities, however, I do just fine. This year, I've vowed to be more resourceful. An appropriate resolution for these times, no?

In that spirit, I got to thinking about a post I wrote a while back about innovative new uses for "obsolete" antiques. During a recent stroll through the Nelson and Nelson galleries, I came across two "old-fashioned" objects that, through creative re-use, would make gorgeous additions to a workspace.

Besides, haven't you resolved to declutter your desk this year?

This antique silver Georgian toast rack, made in London in 1832, is a beautiful piece for holding papers, birthday cards, or any sort of personal correspondence. The toast rack, on decorative ball feet, has six large slots and is adorned with a lovely heart-shaped scroll handle. This heavy-weight rack is fully hallmarked with a gorgeous patina. For more information, click here.

This substantial antique Austrian silver desk blotter would make a charming paperweight for any office. The large, oval finial is awash in an ornate figural fauna motif and is bordered by a beautiful beaded edge, while the four corners of the blotter are decorated with a soft scroll design. The heavy-gauge silver blotter has a nice patina and is in wonderful condition. For more information, click here.

Squirrel Away Treasures In An Antique Silver Spice Box

Today, the first day of December, was beautifully sunny and crisp here in New York. I took a walk through Central Park, and what caught my attention more than the sweaty joggers and serene tourists was the all-around frenetic squirrel activity. These little guys are busy collecting and storing for the winter--on such a lovely day like this, perhaps they know more about the forecast ahead than we do?

For the collector--and storer--in your life, consider this antique silver German spice box in the form of our furry parkland friend. Perfect for squirreling away your favorite treasures!

This unique and unusual 800 silver spice box is imaginatively and expertly crafted in the form of a squirrel on a log. The squirrel is perched daintily atop a beautifully detailed log which has been encircled all around the base by intricately made leaves, ferns and foliage. His facial features are extremely well defined and his nicely detailed ears are alertly pricked up, as is his splendidly plumed bushy tail which rises majestically behind him in an elegantly curving shape. The fur on his body has been meticulously rendered and his paws have been beautifully finished with exquisite precision. His head lifts off revealing a hollow body into which spices or condiments can be placed. The entire piece is in excellent condition throughout with a soft and pleasing patina which nicely accentuates the crispness and clarity of all the decorative elements. The base of the log has been stamped in two places with German hallmarks. For more information, click here.

Antique Silver Plates: Safer Than Your Old China

Before you pull out your your great-aunt Gretchen's china for the holidays, you may want to take a look at this article on how old china may be toxic to eat off of. If you're in the mood for a grand antique dining spread, sterling silver is the better choice. Antique sterling silver is inert and food safe, and makes a marvelous statement on a festive table! Nelson and Nelson has a beautiful collection of antique silver holloware dinner plates to choose from, including this beautiful Georgian antique silver plate collection circa 1925.

This set was made by the International Silver Company and is comprised of 8 dinner plates and 8 bread-and-butter plates, each in the Georgian Style, with applied cast and chased shell, shield and gadroon border. This set, in excellent condition, is typical of many sets of dinner and bread plates produced in the first half of the 20th century in that it is designed in the style of the late 18th century. This set is very versatile in that the plates can be used in many other ways: the dinner plates can be used individually to serve hors d’oeuvres or pies and desserts, while the bread-and-butter plates can be used for individual hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and petit fours.The diameter of the dinner plate is 10 1/2 inches and the diameter of the bread-and-butter Plate is 6 1/2 inches. The total weight of the set is 224 Troy ounces.

A Sterling Silver Cabbage Fit For A King

Whenever I stop in to the Nelson and Nelson gallery, I always take time to admire the beautiful Buccellati silver centerpiece featured prominently near the entrance. I've probably never taken so much time to ogle a cabbage, but what a cabbage it is! Weighing in at a substantial 70 troy ounces, this unusual sterling silver decorative item is an eye-catcher, and would make a marvelous, whimsical addition to a fall holiday table.

This is a magnificent 20th century sterling silver centerpiece made by the highly esteemed silversmiths at Buccellati in Italy, and was originally owned by the late popular singer Luther Vandross and shown in photographs taken at his home published in Ebony magazine in 1989. The centerpiece, in the form of a large figural cabbage, has two open leaves that cleverly reveal a large hammered interior that offers a uniquely different way of displaying or serving fruits and vegetables. The exterior skillfully emulates the leaves of a cabbage, complete with a textured outer surface enhanced by the addition by heavy, clearly defined veins. The interior shows the signs of hand hammering together with the imprint of the veins on the outer surface. The two leaves ripple artfully at the opening and curve outwards to reveal a bright shiny surface which contrasts pleasingly with the textured outer surface. Four small protective feet have been applied to the underside to prevent damage to the owner’s table surface.  As befitting the renowned Bucellati Company, the workmanship is of the very highest quality and the design of the piece is ingenious and highly imaginative in its creativity. It is in perfect condition with a softly lustrous patina and clear, crisp definition on all the organic decoration. It has been clearly stamped with the words Buccellati, Italy and the number 925 indicating the silver as being 925/1000 parts fine. This piece would be of special interest to all connoisseurs of first class 20th century sterling silver and also to any admirer of the late Luther Vandross.