posted 07-03-2006 04:35 AM            

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?

posted 07-03-2006 07:34 AM            

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