Cleaning the silver; For probably the last time. Did I say I disliked housework? Well when it comes to ornaments - no way. Apart from the fish slices they are miniatures. I think the table and chairs and little sledge are 18th century and live in the box you can see in the photo. I was given them by my first MIL. I enjoyed this time cleaning them, it reminded me of when Lotta would bring out her silver for me to clean. Newspapers of course laid on the table, didn't have any newspaper today so cardboard would have to do. In the Swiss bungalow at Blonay there was an intricate Chinese altar, I think in the sitting room which housed the ivory (how does one judge the past and the taking of ivory, still done today) and jade miniature paraphernalia, the silver must have been kept somewhere else. But it was a long time ago. I had enjoyed make miniatures a few years back so that was why I acquired the small silver, but the table and chairs were I think 24 rather than the 12 scale I worked in, so they were most often left in the dolls house nursery for the children to play with! All gone now, given away.
The two silver pots must have been pepper and salt condiments from Iran I think, I am not sure how the intricate pattern was applied, would it be 'chased'?
The little sledge below is a gem of tiny work, at one stage in his life he was pushing a man, but somehow that figure got lost in time.
The fish slices have polished up well, they are to go to Tom and Ellie, who are legalizing their marriage together today at the registry office and then the big celebrations will take place at a hotel somewhere in Chester in a few days time. At which of course all the family will be there.
They are nice things to have and to hand down. I really like Iran salt and pepper pots
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty but impractical, salt and silver don't seem to mix.
DeleteI have no silver at all now. Never wanted to keep polishing so gave it away to charity years ago. I have never owned a fish slicer - I would use that to serve desserts.
ReplyDeleteI also gave away a large silver tea service to Oxfam, it sat in a cupboard for years unloved Ellen.
DeleteI have silverware now. I hand wash it. I don't imagine keeping it polished should be a huge problem as it is just Tim and I.
ReplyDeleteI too have an unloved tea service.
DeleteUnloved wedding gifts that you tote around for years Debby, probably until the person who gave them to you passes on.
DeleteOh Thelma. Tim bought it for me years back. I mentioned that it was beautiful. He thought I wanted it! I can guarantee you that there was zero interest in owning it. I felt terrible about it.
DeleteI did not give a good reply there Debby! But I once said isn't that pretty about a china flower to my second husband. So..........every year come birthdays and Xmas I got one, quite a collection. They have never followed me through life.
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