Comments on: Hidden Treasures…

By: Rowi

Rowi — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:38:50 +0000

What great finds you made in the most unlikely place! I usually get suspicious when I see an antiques sign in shops outside of Manila. “Antiques-while-you-wait” i label the items from these places.

May I add some tried and true tips for the cleaning of silver? The silver polish in cream form is the best. Wash the silver first before using the polish using dishwashing liquid as you would with regular flatware. Use silver polish and then wash them again, to remove any trace of silver polish. Then using a clean soft cloth (preferably old cotton t-shirts) or flannel, if available, dry up the silver until it gets a nice sparkle and puts a satisfied smile in your face. If the silver will not be used for everyday dining, line them in flannel cloth, don’t let the pieces touch each other, and then wrap up and store in ziploc bags, in a dark cupboard. This way, the silver would take some time to get dark again.

Antique silver are quite common in Europe and could be acquired at auction houses and bidding could be made even online. If interested in really outstanding pieces, please check the Swedish site http://www.lillabukowskis.com and click on catalogues, choose any date, and then check silver.

By: maria

maria — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:05:34 +0000

we have nearly black silverware…your article just inspired me to clean them this coming week-end. thanks!

By: Marketman

Marketman — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:56:12 +0000

To clean the silver, they were coated with a good silver polish which looks like a cream. Then with a damp cloth in straight motions (rather than circular), the black gunk was taken off slowly but surely. It takes elbow grease if you have several decades of tarnish on the silver. Do not use other more abrasive metal polishes unless they specify that they are safe for silver. They also sell liquid silver cleaner but they are quite harsh and probably peel off or dissolve some of the silver if you leave them in the fluid for too long. Once clean, just store your silver in plastic bags or ziplock bags and keep them in a dark clean drawer. Of course, if you have an anti-tarnish felt-lined silver chest (we do not), that would be even better... For others who might be curious, here is a link to Mappin & Webb, and a bit about their history. Mila, I believe the five tined serving fork is for serving fish, along with the wide flat knife alongside it...or at least I assumed that when I bought it...

By: Daisy

Daisy — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:37:54 +0000

Wow great find MM. I also feel the same in finding great outdoor gear at ukay ukay. I was really interested when you mentioned the brand Mappin and Webb and thus, I googled it, and alas found that they were silversmiths to Queen Elizabeth. Such a steal! how did you clean the silver?

By: palengkera

palengkera — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:28:55 +0000

Congratulations MM! Excellent finds for a steal of a bargain!

By: mila

mila — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:30:31 +0000

What a wonderful reminder of your trip! Could you write up about what a 5 tine serving fork would be used for? Part of your silverware story arc.

By: rina

rina — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:15:43 +0000

same way i felt about finding my Le Creuset cocotte (unused still in the box – seemed to be a wedding gift received by a non-cook) in a garage sale for P1,000.

By: kulasa

kulasa — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:28:25 +0000

Some people can get really lucky. Very nice find.

By: wil-b cariaga

wil-b cariaga — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:18:01 +0000

lots of people in Vigan don’t really know how to clean their silver/ don’t even know it is silver, many households inherit these stuff but some just throw them because it’s already black. . .

By: bernadette

bernadette — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 00:01:31 +0000

That’s so neat! When I was Vigan, I was told that it was once considered the Vienna of Southeast Asia and European traders were fond of their indigo especially. Whenever I get to see quiant antique shops in the provinces I look for the glassware. I got my finds too! And they’re always very affordable compared to that in Manila.