| SM Publications |
| Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver. |
| SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales |
|
|
|
|
The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993 Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !! General Silver Forum
|
| REGISTER (click here) |
How to Post Photos
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 General Silver Forum
 Plate Hands
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Plate Hands |
|
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 |
posted 05-13-2007 02:32 PM
  
There is a new book out called The Perfect Summer Day about the summer of 1911 in Britain. Aside from the garden party descriptions, it also talks about the "downstairs" help. One of the terms it describes is "plate hands." According to the book, butlers cleaned the silver with a jeweler's rouge mixed with ammonia applied directly with their fingers to produce the desired finish to the silver. Direct exposure of the fingers to this mixture blistered the skin which eventually hardened. These hardened hands were known as "plate hands" and were a badge of honor for an industrious butler. An interesting little silver tidbit. IP: Logged |
|
Clive E Taylor Posts: 450 |
posted 05-14-2007 03:58 AM
There is a reference , in one of Conan Doyle's short stories, I cannot recall which one, to this practice. Sherlock Holmes identifies a man as a butler as his thumbs were black from polishing silver directly with them. IP: Logged |
|
adelapt Posts: 418 |
posted 05-14-2007 11:09 PM
I have heard the term "butler's thumb" used, referring to the particular & desirable bluish patina evidently imparted by same to the silverware. IP: Logged |
|
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 |
posted 05-20-2007 02:37 PM
I do love Sherlock Holmes. I don't remember the "butler thumb" reference. Must have either missed that story or read it before silver became an obsession. The power of keen observation fascinates me. At the Fricke Museum here in New York city there is a program for police detective where they show the detectives paintings and use that as a tool to test their powers of observation. Also provides great exposure of an art collection to an audience that may not have been interested before. A great mix of science and art. IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |