Silverware Affair

One of my favorite things to collect is old silver.  I love it.  LOVE it!  Especially antique silverware.  I love the look of it and the weight of it in my hand.  Here is the silverware that we use here at home...

I keep them out like this instead of in drawers simply because I enjoy looking at them...plus it's super-handy when I need to eat a piece of cake right then and don't have the energy to open a drawer.  :o)

I'm always excited when I find pieces that are monogrammed or engraved with names, dates, and hotels.  Typically, I pay very little for these pieces since I buy them a piece at a time.  Very few of my pieces match each other, and that's just the way I want it.  It's more interesting, I think. 

This is a basket of pieces waiting to be polished.  When I polish them, I always leave a little bit of tarnish in the creases and engravings so they stand out more.  Now, y'all know I wouldn't want anything to look too new! 

This "Hotel De Soto" ladle and the "Mary" spoon are in the to-be-polished basket, but I thought they were pretty to show.

One of my all-time very favorite pieces...my "Rhoda" napkin ring.  These napkin rings made of real silver are so hard to find (or at least for me they have been), so I am always keeping an eye out for them.

If you want to use silver for everyday use...go ahead!  You don't have to polish it near as often because the frequent use keeps the tarnish away.  I never put my pieces in the dishwasher, though.  I just wash them by hand in the sink with a non-citrus dish soap, and then I dry them off before putting them away.

If y'all want to see more people sharing their favorite antique collections, you can visit antiquetherapy.com .   

Comments

[Sarah]

How lovely! I've been longing for silver for our family and hadn't even considered mismatched silver...but I like your collection a lot. Hmmm. And, I *love* the idea of using it for everyday meals.

~ Sarah

[Kristina]

Your silver is just beautiful! Where are your favorite places to locate pieces for your collection? You have a lovely blog!

[Bri]

Oh my goodness, you have a beautiful collection! I have always wanted to collect something but just haven't found my passion for something specific just yet. This is so inspiring!

I replied to your emails by the way...your emails had been sent to my bulk folder for some reason so now I flagged your address so that won't happen again!

[Shannon]

What a collection! They are all so beautiful. I love silver pieces too but I lean more toward the trays and serving pieces. I always leave some tarnish on them too! :) So neat.

[Ketha]

Katie...
I had an aunt that collected "stray" silverware and I always loved going to her house for lunch or a special meal. Not only did nothing match but her china was the same way. She would buy pieces that caught her eye.It made for such a homey atmosphere.

I wish I lived in an area where there were more antique shops. Nevada just doesn't have them like they do "back east". And I love coming to your blog...you're like me, the older, the better.

[Blanca]

You have a wonderful collection. I am glad I'm not the only one that buys monogrammed silverware. I just wrote about a set I found at a thrift store you should come and see.

Blanca

[Shannon]

Yes, we made our headboard. Unfortunately we made it when we had a queen size bed. So until I find the perfect king size headboard we are using the queen. :) It was very easy to make.

[Katy]

Katie..i totally want to come for a visit. I just love how you do things. You keep the silverware out? how cool! That never would have occurred to me. You know what i would totally love to see? Pics of your kitchen...hehe. I love your outlook on things and how you do things. It's just tooo fun! :)

[Kim]

I started to collect silver pieces about 10 years ago when I was making stainless wind chimes like these (not mine, but this is to give you an idea). http://www.silverwarecreations.com/images/uploaded/CHIME%208.JPG

Some of the pieces that I have found are very expensive and very old. I found about 6 or 7 pieces with these grape and leaf designs on them that are worth about $35 each. I think I paid 25¢ for each piece at the thrift store.

My kids love to look at them and I use them to set the table for company, my kids are bad about loosing stainless and are not allowed to use the silver pieces yet! Guests like to look at all of the odd pieces and talk about what their grandmother's looked like.

Question for you:
What is the easiest way to polish them?

[Susie]

What a nice collection you have. I have just a few in a box under my day to day stuff. you made me want to pull it out and polish it off and enjoy! Thanks, Susie h

[Kel]

I'm absolutely in love with the engraved ones! How special and lovely!

I also echo that cake sentiment, though I'd eat it with my hands. I need refinement, LOL. :o)

[Leigh @General Ramblings]

I collect silerware too...I collect the monogrammed ones. I love those. I love to imagine where they might have come from. I am going to have to do a post and show you mine...
soon!

[Keri]

Hi Katie, Thanks for participating. Your collection is fabulous. Very elegant. I would like to start adding to mine. Thanks again!! Happy hunting!!

[Leigh Ann]

Hello, I found you from Cottage Magpie, I think and have enjoyed your ideas. I do have a question, if you don't mind. Are these pieces silver plate? I was looking at some pieces at Goodwill today and on the back they had the words "plate". Does this make a difference? Pardon my ignorance on the subject.

[Lindsey]

Oh Katie! What a fabulous collection! You just might have inspired a new hobby for me:)

[Nancy]

Love the silver collection. I think I'll have to keep an eye out for some; I may have to start a new collection.

[Screaming Meme]

I love that you keep them in containers like that! Awesome!!!