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tline3open  Re-gilding, functional or merely cosmetic?

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Author Topic:   Re-gilding, functional or merely cosmetic?
bassbear

Posts: 2
Registered: Jul 2006

iconnumber posted 07-03-2006 04:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for bassbear     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
[26-1127]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and I thought I'd jump right in with a question about gilding, or more precisely re-gilding. I'm one of those who collect silver to use as well as display. My weakness is for Gorham's Plymouth pattern, which I only recently discovered was sometimes gilded on the interior surfaces. All the pieces I have collected up until now have been gilt-free (excuse the horrible pun) that is, until the aquisition of a pair of salt cellars. I'm hoping the photo will post...


The cellar on the right is 3 years older than the one on the left, and has lost all of its gilding. The cellar on the left still retains some of the gold and even matches the gilding on the bowl of the salt spoon. I've seen how salt can pit sterling, and I'm curious if there's any concensus here on the merits of having silver re-gilded for functionality. I intend to use these cellars for dinner parties, if not for every day use. In the meantime, I've coated the both of them with microcrystalline wax polish, in the hope that it will provide a non-toxic barrier against corrosion from the salt. Any suggestions?

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SusanT

Posts: 104
Registered: Nov 2005

iconnumber posted 07-03-2006 07:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SusanT     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Bassbear,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry I really haven't any good advise for you on whether or not to redo the gold wash. I can only say what you already know that salt can pit the silver. I guess it would depend on the cost.

--- Susan

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FredZ

Posts: 1070
Registered: Jun 99

iconnumber posted 07-03-2006 04:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FredZ     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Salt cellars are often gilded to protect the silver. Sodium Chloride is corrosive to silver and if left for a long period of time it will pit the silver. The gilding is intended to prevent this.

Fred

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salmoned

Posts: 336
Registered: Jan 2005

iconnumber posted 07-05-2006 06:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for salmoned     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thre's no need for gilding, other than eye-appeal, as long as you don't STORE salt in the cellars. That is, they should be cleaned, along with the rest of one's eating utensils, after every meal. wink

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