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Author	Topic: Restore or Leave It?
feniangirl Posts: 36 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 08-08-2003 11:44 PM I recently purchased an Irish boxed dessert set in "Queens" pattern with convex union shell heel and engraved boar's head crest. The set is comprised of 18 forks, 18 knives, 18 spoons, 6 large serving spoons, and 1 pair of grape shears. The knife handles and blades are Hallmarked by John Townsend and the remaining pieces of the set are Hallmarked by Thomas Farnett. The town mark is Dublin the date mark is for 1825. All are contained in the original fitted green velvet lined brass bound mahogany box. The silver is guilded with little or no wear to the guilding. My question is regarding the box, rather than its contents. Box has brass mountings on each corner and a large brass shield (unengraved) in the center of the lid. The problems are: 1.The lid has a large severe crack running the width of the box right in the center which caused the brass shield to become unattached. If the box lid is lifted (which is the only way to get to the silver the shield falls out). 2. There was originally a lock with escutcheon and one would assume a key. Evedently the key was lost at some time in the past and someone has removed the lock and escutcheon, which had gone missing prior to my aquiring the set. Should I have the box restored, or leave it as it is? Will restoration diminish the value? Other than both faults being quite unsightly, I am concerned that the brass shield will eventually go the way of the lock and escutcheon. By the way your new gold tea set would look fabulous with my dessert set (in case you ever tire of it). IP: Logged
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 Registered: Apr 93	posted 08-09-2003 02:07 PM Funny you should ask about repairing the silver chest/box. I don't have an answer for you in terms of impact of repair on value, but I was just wondering myself about a good source for repairing the inside silk linings of silver boxes/chests and whether such repair is advisable. IP: Logged
FredZ Posts: 1070 Registered: Jun 99	posted 08-09-2003 08:37 PM My opinion would be to restore the crack in the box and reattach the escutcheon plate so it does not get lost. The repair would be analogous to restoring a chair so that you can use it. The box was created to house the flatware. The flatware was not created to store in the box. I doubt if the value of the set or box would be diminished in any way by restoring the storage box. Fred IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 08-18-2003 09:54 AM I concur--by all means at least stabilize the crack and re-attach the shield (we have a similar case for a teaset from the 1830s, and have not had it restored for purely financial reasons). Finding an appropriate replacement for the lock and escutcheon would be tricky, but if done right it will not damage the overall value of this lovely set. IP: Logged

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