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Wooden handles and non silver elements

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Author	Topic: Wooden handles and non silver elements
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 03-08-2015 02:38 PM I recently got a federal-era silver teapot with a wooden handle. It's a beautiful dark wood that the seller described as ebony (I have no idea if that's correct). What's the best way to keep the handle happy and healthy? Do I just leave it alone and try not to get it wet? There are traces of silver polish on it--do I just try to rinse them off? Should I be polishing the wood in some way--oil or wax or something? Are there treatments I should be careful to avoid? In general, what are the best ways to care for the non-silver elements of silver items--wooden and ivory handles, etc.? IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 03-08-2015 05:59 PM Polly, I think your idea of trying to avoid keeping it wet is good advice. If polishing the handle attachment, use a dry paper towel for polish, and then use a lightly dampened cloth to remove it. When I have purchased teapots with handles that need revitalizing, I have had good luck using wood oil that I use to condition my chopping board. I have gotten it at our local hardware. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 03-08-2015 06:39 PM Polly, If the handles are not finished, then "wood oil" or "Linseed oil" could be a good idea. Brushing with a light weight wire brush might remove any built up dirt and might help the wood to accept(to absorbed) the oil. Besides gently rubbing the handles with a soft oil soaked rag you might try wrapping the handles in the oil soaked rag for a few days. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 03-08-2015 09:15 PM Many thanks, doc & Scott. IP: Logged
seaduck Posts: 350 Registered: Dec 2006	posted 03-10-2015 06:12 PM I'll take the dissenting position here, which is to suggest not applying oil. The oil will almost certainly change (darken) the wood color. I also have some teapots from this era. I leave them as is, which is unfinished. Some time ago, I read a conservator's advice about old wood furniture, which said it should not be waxed or oiled, but simply dusted and kept clean. That made sense to me. People seem to think in terms of "feeding" wood -- which really does not make sense to me. I suspect the thing we fear most is cracking, and that, I believe, is a function of humidity. As for polishing these kinds of pieces, I have read suggestions for wrapping the wood in plastic while polishing. It all seems more awkward than helpful. I simply polish and rinse as carefully as possible. Nothing gets soaked. Maybe our Resident Curator has an opinion. I am sure there are many people here with more knowledge and expertise than my own who will tell me I'm dead wrong! IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 03-10-2015 09:24 PM Thanks, seaduck. Hm…I will hold off on applying anything oily or waxy and hope our curator member weighs in. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 07-05-2015 01:48 PM I posted photos of the teapot in question in this thread: I.W. Forbes tea set IP: Logged
swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 Registered: May 2003	posted 07-06-2015 01:47 PM It would be elucidating to consult owners of woodwind instruments (I have a friend who collects clarinets) - depending on the wood used I know they may have to deal with issues of shrinkage, having to "recondition" them periodically, especially if unused for a long period without the moisture derived from the musician's breath. Dense woods like ebony and grenadilla blackwood are less subject to drying and shrinkage than some others. IP: Logged
teasetz Posts: 56 Registered: Jun 2015	posted 07-08-2015 05:45 AM I'm very interested in this topic as well. My new tea set has wooden handles and knobs. While the handles look pretty good, the knobs seem like they could use some love. One is a bit wobbly and feels as though it has shrunk away from the silver bit that attaches it to the lid. It seems like some moisture might help the problem and it makes sense to me that something protective of the wood could also be good. Though I haven't any silver/wood experience, I have a life time of maintaining and even rescuing leather tack and, while I understand the fundamental difference between wood and leather, some of the same issues arise (molding, drying, cracking, shrinking, deteriorating, change of color with treatment, etc.) and we always keep clean leather lightly-oiled and conditioned as well as controlling humidity to the extent possible in a barn. But I will also wait for the experts to weigh in since you can't get newer to this than I am! IP: Logged

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