Nelson & Nelson Antiques

Historical Significance of Giving Sterling Silver Baby Items

August 5, 2020 12:12 pm

Historical Significance of Giving Sterling Silver Baby Items

Welcoming a new life into the world is so exciting. People love showering newborns with love and presents. One gift that’s commonly bestowed upon young ones is sterling silver. This article explains the historical significance of giving sterling silver baby items to growing families.

Sign of Wealth

Europeans started giving babies sterling silver items during the 18th century. Most people would give these artifacts to infants at their Christenings. One reason why individuals started giving sterling silver to little ones is that it’s a sign of wealth. The old phrase, “born with a silver spoon in your mouth,” stems from gifting sterling silver to babies. People hoped that by giving little ones these lavish items, wealth would follow them throughout their lives. Traditional baby gifts included sterling silver baby cups, rattles, and spoons. Anyone interested in collecting one of these artifacts should visit Nelson and Nelson Antiques today. We have plenty of sterling silver baby items that every new parent will appreciate.

Household Items

People in the 18th century also gave babies household objects made out of sterling silver. Sometimes, adults would give a growing family a sterling silver serving tray or different types of hollowware. These gifts were more for the parents than the child. However, the hope was that the infant could take the items to their own residence when they got older. Furthermore, just like the traditional baby items, people hoped they’d pass down household artifacts to their own children when the time came. Gifting a child sterling silver baby items at their Christening was one way someone could cement a family’s legacy. If the baby passed down the piece when they got older, the person who gifted the original piece created a family heirloom that future generations could enjoy.

This article has given more insight into the historical significance of giving sterling silver baby items to people. Europeans began the practice in the 18th century in the hopes that wealth would follow the child throughout their entire life. Occasionally, individuals would also give little ones household artifacts as a way to cement a family’s legacy. If anyone’s interested in having one of these pieces in their own home, please contact Nelson and Nelson Antiques today. Our team sells top-of-the-line sterling silver baby items that’ll add beauty and history to a person’s home.

Ways to Decorate Your Home With Antique Silver

July 17, 2020 12:50 pm

Ways to Decorate Your Home With Antique Silver

Interior design gives you a chance to show the world who you are. The right home décor accessories can also spark conversation amongst guests. If you want to appear sophisticated and stimulate lively debates, you should think about adding antique silver pieces into your design. This article will explain the ways to decorate your home with antique silver. People will be so impressed by your choices, so get ready for lots of compliments.

Picture Frames

Photos help make a house a home. There’s something so special about walking through hallways and seeing snapshots of a person’s life. One way to make your photo wall more elegant is by purchasing antique silver picture frames. These exquisite household accessories will enhance the beauty of any picture you want to display. Nelson and Nelson Antiques offers the finest antique frames on the market. We sell frames from different eras in history, each with its own remarkable detailing. Guests will be in awe of their beauty and want to know more about their history. Take a look at our vast collection today.

Vases

Fresh flowers liven up any space and add color where it is needed. Since these plants are so beautiful, they deserve an equally gorgeous vase. Consider adding antique silver vases to your collection if you haven’t already. Nelson and Nelson Antiques sells detailed vases with interesting designs if you want something more elaborate. These accessories are colorful and will catch people’s eyes the minute they enter the room. Each of these items also tells a story that you can share with curious guests the next time they visit.

Hollowware

Another way to decorate your home with antique silver is with hollowware. Unlike flatware, hollowware is an accessory that anyone can add to their tables. Items like a serving tray or a gravy boat would fall under this category. Nelson and Nelson Antiques has a wide variety of hollowware for people who love to host dinner parties. These pieces add sophistication to any table, and people can discuss the origins of the accessories over a delicious meal.

How to Polish Antique Silver Without Reducing Its Value

July 8, 2020 10:23 am

How to Polish Antique Silver Without Reducing Its Value

Silver accessories make a statement. Dinner guests are immediately impressed when they see silver hollowware on the dining room table. Yet, you must take care of your silver pieces to maintain their shine. This guide on how to polish antique silver without reducing its value will help you care for your items for years to come.

Handle With Care

The most important thing to remember when polishing antique silver is to be gentle. Wear cotton gloves while handling the items; latex varieties may leave unwanted fingerprints. Next, use a soft-bristled brush to get in the nooks and crannies that are difficult to reach otherwise. Be mindful to remove any loose pieces before completing this step. The last thing you want is for a part to fall off and crack. Rinsing the silver under some warm water is helpful if there are any stains that you’re having trouble removing.

You can use special silver polishes to clean your beloved accessories further. However, be mindful while you’re shopping. Only buy polishes that contain very few chemicals. Too many chemicals can tarnish the piece even more. When you do find the right product, be stingy in the amount you use. Place a small drop of the polish on a cloth or sponge, and wash the item in circular motions. Again, remember to always wear gloves. With the right products and cleaning routine, your silver will look as good as new.

Mistakes to Avoid

Silver serving trays are the perfect item for anyone who hosts dinner parties regularly. Yet, as beautiful as these objects are, food and drink stains appear on them rather quickly. You’ll likely have the urge to place the tray in the dishwasher when this happens—fight this instinct at all costs. Instead, follow the steps above to get rid of these markings. Dishwashers use too many chemicals and heavy water pressure; antique silver can’t handle it. Don’t make this mistake and ruin your precious silver.

Another mistake you should avoid is storing your silver improperly. Never leave your pieces out to air dry, as contaminants from the air will make things even worse. Instead, wipe it with a cloth, and wrap it in tissue paper or a silver cloth bag to protect it. Your treasured accessories will continue to look stunning if you follow these ways to polish antique silver without reducing its value. Hopefully, when you are ready to part ways, you can sell these items for a significant profit.

A Quick Guide to Silver Markings

June 12, 2020 1:11 pm

A Quick Guide to Silver Markings

Silver collectors enjoy showing off their beautiful items and collections. Whether you own antique hollowware or silver bar accessories, every piece of silver has a marking on it. This quick guide to silver markings will explain what they are and the variations between them.

Standard Silver Markings

A standard silver marking lets people know its purity. Sterling silver items have a trademark that reads “925” stamped somewhere on the piece. This number indicates that the item is 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent other metals. The reason manufacturers place standard markings on silver items is so that people know what they’re buying. It’d be heartbreaking if someone paid full price for what they thought was a sterling silver item, only to discover that wasn’t the case later on. These markings also ensure that pieces have met safety and legal requirements during production.

Date and Origin Markings

Some silver items have date and origin markings. These stamps tell owners when the piece was created and where it was manufactured. Not all silver accessories have these markings. However, they’re extremely valuable when it comes to selling. Typically, the older the item, the more money it’s worth. A date marking allows potential buyers to know how old the accessory is. Origin markings are also important in the seller’s market because silver is crafted differently around the world. A silver jewelry box that was made England may be worth more than one that was crafted in the United States.

Commemorative Markings

Sometimes, creators place commemorative markings on silver to look back on a special occasion. Commemorative markings tend to drive up the price because they make the item more unique. If you have a silver tray that was used 100 years ago to commemorate a holiday or historical event, it’s probably worth a pretty penny today. Please contact Nelson and Nelson Antiques about your collectible if you have questions about your item. If the commemorative marking is visible and the item is in good shape, you could get substantial cash for the piece.

Silver markings never take away from the beauty of an item. As this quick guide to silver markings has shown, these stamps often increase the pieces’ value. Sometimes, the trademark commemorates a moment in history. Other times, it allows buyers to see when the accessory was created. Most importantly, though, standard silver markings ensure that the items are safe to use and that they’ve met every necessary requirement.

Most Common Types of Family Heirlooms

May 19, 2020 11:02 am

Most Common Types of Family Heirlooms

Family heirlooms form intergenerational connections between people. When a grandmother passes down her diary to her granddaughter, an inexplicable bond is created. Moreover, family heirlooms cement a family’s legacy in stone. This article will overview the most common types of family heirlooms that are passed down between generations.

Hollowware

Every spectacular dinner host needs hollowware in their china cabinet. Hollowware refers to all the accessories that are placed on a dining table except for flatware and cutlery. Items like a water pitcher, teapot, sugar bowl, or a gravy boat are examples of hollowware. These accessories help complete a dining table. Lots of people pass down hollowware to younger generations because it’s beautiful. Also, antique hollowware will spark conversation among dinner guests. So consider giving a family member an antique silver serving tray. Your loved one will be thrilled to receive such a meaningful gift that they can use when entertaining.

Baby Accessories

Having a baby is one of the most momentous events in a person’s life. One thing that would make the moment even more special is receiving an heirloom from a family member to give to the child. Many people pass down antique rattles when a new baby is born into the family. This sentiment connects older generations to younger ones. Also, it can be a touching family tradition to continue every time there’s a new birth. Make sure to sanitize the rattle before you give it to the baby, though. After all, babies tend to put everything in their mouths.

Picture Frames

Seeing pictures of your grandparents when they were younger is a moving experience. It’s incredible to look through old photos and hear about what older family members were up to in their youth. A lot of grandparents pass down antique picture frames to younger generations so they can put a current photo in it. If you do inherit an older picture frame, place it near the entrance of your home so that it grabs people’s attention right away. Antique picture frames are stunning and incredibly detailed. Guests will undoubtedly want to learn more about the item when they see it.

The most common types of family heirlooms are picture frames, baby accessories, and hollowware. People inherit these items because they’re gorgeous and have sentimental value. If you have an antique piece that you know a loved one will appreciate, hand it down to them. You’ll never forget their smile when they received it.

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