Thursday, August 11, 2011

Patina or Tarnish?

I found these forgotten grande dames in my parents' attic.  The lovelies are sterling silver not silver plate. The photo is overexposed so it's hard to see that the pieces are tarnished a dark, matte grey. Will polishing the pieces to a high lustre devalue them? When is too much patina too much?

5 comments:

  1. Assuming you are going to keep this set and use it, wouldn't you want the tarnish removed before you make a cup of tea? I would think that it would make the tea taste differently if left on.

    ReplyDelete
  2. To keep it, yes, Bev. But I keep hearing if you remove the patina, the item is not as highly valued. And shiny is so pretty, is it not?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think in silver, it's best to polish off the tarnish. In furniture, you're not supposed to clean off the patina.

    Pretty set. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my goodness, CJ - I finally get it! These digs you have been going on are in your parents' attic! I can totally relate to that, now that I get it. I found this cute Little Bo Peep cup and cereal dish my Mom used to let me use, when the boys weren't around. They are white and the scene is all in red.

    I don't know about changing the value of that tea set, but it sure would be awfully purty all shined up.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Are you selling or keeping? If selling, best to ask a professional. It is a cool set.

    ReplyDelete