blueyes29
|
posted on March 12, 2007 02:10:42 PM new
I've come across an antique/vintage sterling silver tea strainer with drip bowl. It's marked "sterling" and has the letter "N" and a small logo. I've searched Google but sites I've found require you to join/pay a fee. I don't have that much silver to warrant the cost so hope someone can help me out as to maker/origin/etc. Thanks...
Next obvious question...when I list, do I polish this up or leave "as is"...Thanks for any help.
[ edited by blueyes29 on Mar 12, 2007 02:58 PM ]
|
twig125silver
|
posted on March 12, 2007 03:48:46 PM new
Can you post a picture of the mark?
|
pyourdon
|
posted on March 12, 2007 02:52:24 PM new
Try www.925-1000.com. It's pretty good.
|
tabletopitems
|
posted on March 12, 2007 04:00:12 PM new
The mark is of "Towle" Silversmiths.
tabletop-items
|
pyourdon
|
posted on March 12, 2007 04:10:41 PM new
I would definitely polish it.
|
fluffythewondercat
|
posted on March 12, 2007 08:50:51 PM new
I wouldn't polish it.
Now you need to find out what flatware pattern it is.
fLufF
--
|
twig125silver
|
posted on March 13, 2007 05:21:47 AM new
Very nice piece!
I wouldn't polish it either. I would wash in warm soapy water and dry/buff with a soft cloth. I personally leave the shining up to the buyer.
|
bjboswell
|
posted on March 13, 2007 05:31:31 AM new
blueeyes... I would polish it to perfection. People that spend good money on serious things... in my opinion and experience, want it to look good and they will pay more. Its the dealer and customer looking for a bargain that don't mind the polish... LIKE ME! Nice piece... do find the flatware pattern that is a good listing keyword.
|
birgittaw
|
posted on March 13, 2007 06:07:46 AM new
Polish, yes. Polish correctly, very important!
Use a good polish, Wright's paste or Maas. Do NOT use any kind of dip. More silver has been ruined by polishing incorrectly or over polishing.
Buyers do want to see any issues with sterling, which is why I would polish.
B/
|
fluffythewondercat
|
posted on March 13, 2007 08:01:18 AM new
Sensible antique dealers manage to overcome any compulsion they might have to make old things look shiny new. This usually happens right after they find out how much money they lost by "cleaning" it.
Your casual knows-nothing-about-antiques buyer isn't going to care for this piece, anyway. It's not pretty or cutesy.
fLufF
--
|
birgittaw
|
posted on March 13, 2007 07:31:10 AM new
Sensible and not polishing is the best advice for copper, brass, bronze, especially pewter, but not necessarily for silver. In my experience anyway (and I do bow to Fluff's expertise on silver), even savvy buyers do want to see silver polished, but as with everything else, your mileage may vary. In this case, the bottom looks a bit pitted -- something tarnish would hide.
|
