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 Whiting Sterling Silver floral Repousse Pitcher
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| Author | Topic: Whiting Sterling Silver floral Repousse Pitcher |
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repousse Posts: 3 |
posted 08-09-2017 09:02 PM
  
I inherited a beautiful Whiting Sterling Silver floral Repousse Water Pitcher dated around 1887 based on the markings on the bottom. Without doing any research, I decided to clean it up with TarnX- oops!! There went all the black silver oxide in the flowers. Is there any way it can be restored and did I destroy its value? IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 08-10-2017 09:44 AM
Adding a photos of your heirloom - one of it overall and a nice clear close up of the markings would be helpful. Sorry to hear that you used a product that removed all its 130 years of patina. We do not discuss values here but in my opinion this kind of cleaner removes most of the beauty of old silver with the three dimensional look of the old tarnish in all of the nooks and crannies and makes it look like it was made yesterday. The only thing you can do now is to learn how to polish silver correctly using non-abrasive polish and non-dip type polish and do so for several decades as the tarnish starts to build back up in those nooks and crannies so that eventually you and your heirs will be able to really enjoy its full beauty. There are some threads on this forum where you can learn how to polish silver correctly. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 08-10-2017 05:15 PM
That is too bad, but don't worry--you can bring back its beauty. First, get rid of every lingering trace of Tarn-X by washing it thoroughly and carefully with water and plain dishwashing liquid (not lemon) with a cellulose sponge or a cotton cloth. Line your sink with a cloth and be careful not to drop your pitcher! Dry it thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth. Next, keep your pitcher out on a counter or open shelf in your kitchen for a few weeks while you cook lots of onions and garlic. Your pitcher will begin to tarnish, first turning a bit yellow or brown. When that happens, wipe off the tarnish on the high points by rubbing it gently with a soft cotton cloth (and then wash the cloth), but don't try to get the tarnish out of the cracks and crevices. Eventually the tarnish will darken in the crevices. Then get a nice, gentle kind of non-abrasive, non-dip silver polish for future polishing. My favorite is Herman's (https://www.hermans-silver-polish.com). And once the crevices have darkened, move your pitcher out of the reach of pollution and onions--best to keep it wrapped in soft cotton cloth in a drawer or closet. Oh, and post photos! We want to see your beautiful pitcher!!!! [This message has been edited by Polly (edited 08-10-2017).] IP: Logged |
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asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 08-11-2017 10:03 AM
What Polly and Kimo said...  That original look will come back in time, the value isn't harmed, really. It just temporarily doesn't look as good as it did, but that will change back to normal if you follow Polly's instructions. I bought a serving fork in Love Disarmed by Reed & Barton and it had been dipped in Tarn-X before I bought it. No worries, it'll be back in time. I have it in a cardboard box and it's already starting to brown. IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 08-11-2017 09:33 PM
I have read that liver of sulfur can be used to tarnish silver and fill in the low spots with tarnish. Then when one polishes the silver just the high spots get shiny and the recesses stay dark. I brought some liver of sulfur a while back as I was going to try it, but never got the courage to put is on silver. IP: Logged |
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agleopar Posts: 850 |
posted 08-15-2017 07:13 PM
Repousse - you have not done any reversible damage, as has been said. If you dipped it once a month for a year.... It will go black, be patient. ahwt - don't be afraid of your liver of sulphur by now it may have lost potency but either way any effect it has can be polished off by hand with regular polish. Fresh it can turn silver black cold, but warming the piece first will ensure it happening faster. Warming the silver can be done with a hair dryer! Use a brush or dip a cloth in it and cover the areas you want to have black. Old it may only produce a brown stain cold but heat may give it a boost. Again if you do not get what you want just repolish but even if just brown keep it in the low spots and it will turn black sooner. There are stronger chemical solutions but liver of sulphur is mellow and harmless except it might stain a metal sink - that too will come off with some scrubbling! [This message has been edited by agleopar (edited 08-15-2017).] IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 08-16-2017 08:51 AM
agleopar, thanks for the advice on using liver of sulfur. I still have the little bottle, but the silver I was going to use it on has taken care of itself. I will look around for something to experiment with. I did look on youtube and it seems liver of sulfur is often used in the making of jewelry. IP: Logged |
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repousse Posts: 3 |
posted 08-16-2017 10:35 PM
Thanks everyone for your input- much appreciated. It's reassuring knowing that the value wasn't destroyed. Can anyone recommend a reliable site or auction that specializes in the sale of this type of art? IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 08-17-2017 04:18 PM
From your question as to where to sell your pitcher and comment as to its "value" not being adversely affected it sounds as if you are here to conduct some pre-sale research. If this is the case then I would ask if you would please go back and re-read the forum guidelines you agreed to when you signed up. You can re-read them here: SSF-Guidelines Included in them is a point that says "Soliciting information from the Silver Salon Forums, then using it immediately to sell an item, is rude." The good people on this forum have been giving you their thoughts with the understanding that you will not be using them to help you sell your silver and that you are only interested in learning more about your heirloom so that you will enjoy it all the more as you keep it. [This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 08-18-2017).] IP: Logged |
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repousse Posts: 3 |
posted 08-17-2017 09:42 PM
Scott- I truly apologize. I did not thoroughly read the Guidelines and have no intention of disrupting your great Forum. I appreciate everyones input. IP: Logged |
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