SMP Logo
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 !!
A Curator's Viewpoint Forum
How to Post Photos REGISTER (click here)

customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  A Curator's Viewpoint
tline3open  Whiting Ivory serving piece care and maintenance

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Whiting Ivory serving piece care and maintenance
paskow

Posts: 6
Registered: May 2000

iconnumber posted 05-17-2000 02:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for paskow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I recently purchased two large Whiting Ivory sterling serving pieces. Their ivory handles are showing some age with fine hairline cracks and darkening. I assume that this is due to changes in humidity and temperature over the years. How do I care for these beautiful pieces so that the ivory doesn't deteriorate any more? I bought them only as display pieces, so they won't be handled much, but want to make sure they are cared for correctly. Also, how do museums view pieces like these that are quite beautiful and highly valued to collectors, but are less than perfect? I hope to hang on to these for many years, but some day may want to donate them.

IP: Logged

Ulysses Dietz
Moderator

Posts: 1265
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 05-17-2000 03:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ulysses Dietz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Aha, a real curatorial question! At bottom, serious collectors are probably a lot fussier about condition that museums are--as long as the condition represents honest and not abusive wear over a lifetime. Cracks in ivory handles (as opposed to large chunks missing or gaping splits in the ivory) would not be a terrible problem. Of course, seeing the pieces in person would be essential, since the overall quality and style of the piece is a major factor. A great history can balance out minor condition problems; and fabulous design and craftsmanship can also mitigate condition issues. I have seen some really incredible Whiting ivory handled servers in the last decade, and most of them show some sort of age cracking inherent in the instability of ivory over time due to humidity loss.

Of course the best way to keep ivory from cracking more is to control the humidity. Even keeping them in a display cabinet creates a micro-climate around them. But don't show them in a close cabinet with electric lights inside it--that heats up and dries out the air, and can cause worse cracking. I'm not sure about any active treatment--like vegetable oil--on ivory. That would take a conservator's expertise.

IP: Logged

Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 05-17-2000 04:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To Paskow - Are you sure that the handles are real ivory? Many times what is sold as ivory is really something else, for example bone. Could you post a Photo?

To Ulysses - Whether it is ivory or bone, would using Renaissance Wax help to keep the handles from drying out and cracking?

IP: Logged

paskow

Posts: 6
Registered: May 2000

iconnumber posted 05-18-2000 02:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for paskow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

The pictures aren't the greatest, but that's the best I could do for now. Hope that they are good enough, at least of the handles. Wish the detail of the sterling showed better. It is quite beautiful.

I found a web page last night that somewhat answers my care and maintenance questions. It is --

I think that my best solution is to find a display case to put them in that doesn't emit any sulfur and use the charcoal packet that the web site recommends. I didn't buy them to store them away. I buy things for their beauty that I can enjoy, like any work of art.
I think that the long term solution is letting a museum deal with preserving them. They are too beautiful to be stored away. Even though they are not really, really old, they still show amazing craftmanship that future generations should be able to enjoy and have access to.

IP: Logged

Dexter

Posts: 5
Registered: Jul 2000

iconnumber posted 07-27-2000 12:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dexter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I collect these Whiting pieces, and have every style they made, save one. I use mine regularly when serving, and have no problems. I have passed up some pieces that were mistreated, apparently being subjected to washing. On these the ivory looked powdery. I've wondered if a gentle treatment with 4-ought steelwool impregnated with microcrystaline wax might renew the patina, but I've not tried this, yet. The handles are held into the silver ferrules with pins, and I find these are often loose, but with prudent useage, I have never had a problem.

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


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.
Click here to Register for a Free password

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.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices