Sunday, February 7, 2010

Silver Sunday Thrifty Finds


A recent out of town trip with my sister yielded a few thrifty finds. The little trio of silver items were each in an antique shop, all tarnished with age, and each only a few dollars. I debated with myself as to if I should polish these gems. No doubt all you shabby chic girls would have voted against removing the fine patina of age. Honestly the two candy dishes were darker than the candlestick. I wish I had thought to take some before photos. The patina was truly beautiful, and I could have loved them as they were. In the end though, I decided to let the glow of sliver shine through for Valentine's Day.



Still waiting on this one. Not certain if it will even polish or if this is simply now the color of the metal. I rather like it as is. What do you think?



The base on this sweet candy dish was literally black. It is marked sterling, so I was confident this piece would polish out beautifully. And it did!



The base is simple with just a rim of detail.



The crystal dish has a fluted rim and is cut with nice detail. It is going to be perfect for candy or jams.



This beautiful dish was the prize. It too was completely black with age, and I was worried it might not polish up.



The central detail in the base of this dish features a mass of delicate little flower blooms. I wanted it to shine to highlight the amount of relief work in the design.



With the beautiful flower design, the sculpted edges, and the interesting shape . . . well, I think this piece is just full of charm.



It's perfect for a few Valentine chocolates. Help yourself!

This is the last day of Beth's Silver Sunday Season One. I'm a bit late joining in this week, but didn't want to miss the final day. If you want to see more Silver on this Sunday afternoon just pop on over to see Beth @ The Gypsy Fish Journal. Then look for Season Two to begin next week. Beth is now going to host Silver Sunday on the second Sunday of each month. See you then!
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

30 comments:

  1. Your dish is gorgeous. I love all the details.

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  2. Sarah, what a clever shopper you are! Your dishes are all beautiful. The candelstick looks almost like pewter with the finish. It would be tempting to see what the 'after' looks like if you choose to polish it.

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  3. Oh my goodness, what gorgeous treasures. I loe the compote and the fabulous candy dish. The candlestick is just wonderful. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Good Afternoon Sarah,

    You found some lovely silver pieces. I guess all my Shabby Chic friends will disown me, BUT...I think silver AND brass should be polished. It just doesn't seem "natural" for it to be any other way. Actually, it is one of those things that my mother instilled in me from birth and I can't stray from it! However, I have done away with ironing pillow cases(please don't tell her).

    Have a great week!

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  5. I just LOVE it when I find silver at wonderful prices! These are just lovely! I especially love that flowers in the bottom of that tray... but I love the simplicity of the little silver and crystal... Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Hi Sarah! What beautiful pieces you have found! I love that candy dish...gorgeous! I understand your debate about whether or not to polish. I seem to polish first...just to see what I've found...and then let it tarnish up a little! Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie

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  7. Nice finds - especially like the dish you put the Dove candy in.

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  8. What lovely pieces - especially the curvy dish - beautiful! I like the candlestick just like it is! Linda

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  9. You found some lovely treasures that turned out to be all shiny underneath the dull. I like the candlestick darkened because it looks so european. Love it.

    Happy Silver Sunday.

    thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a nice comment. I am now following you and will be back often.

    Sissie

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  10. Sarah, your silver dish is breathtaking!!!!! Simply gorgeous.

    Barb ♥

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  11. Oh Sarah, I love the silver and glass dish. I would have cleaned it, too. All of it! Altho, it's hard to keep the silver here in Texas. I have a friend who lined a complete closet with silver cloth for her collection of silver. It works! Beautiful pictures and great thrifty finds.

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  12. Wow Sarah, that dish with all the gorgeous rose work is just beautiful!
    Wonderful Silver Sunday post!
    xoxo...Kathy

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  13. Sarah! What gorgeousness! I love the silver!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  14. Sarah, I love your finds. That crystal candy dish with the silver base is so pretty, and I love that candlestick. Of course, I'd leave the candlestick "as is", but that's probably more laziness than asthetics! I think I have that little candy dish with the flowers in it. Of course, if I unwrap it, it probably will look like yours did before you polished it. I REALLY need you to come polish my silver! laurie

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  15. Sarah, The antique candlestick is such a special piece. You found some wonderful silvers for this post.
    Susan

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  16. I am in the shiny silver camp. I love your new finds..The candy dish is unique, and STERLING..and the tray has such pretty details.
    I am doing a survey on my post. Please let me know your favorite silver polish.
    I am tallying the results..

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  17. These are great finds, Sarah! The dishes are so lovely. The candlestick looks very pretty unpolished. I think I would leave it like it is. The tarnish just goes so well with that kind of flower pattern.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  18. Hi Sarah, It's me again. I have to apologize. I just realized that I had never answered your question about the dish I had served the eggs in. It's called a silent butler. I had learned, that in earlier years they were used to collect ashes and crumbs. Since mine is not that old and has this glass tray, I just think it was made to serve something and I mostly use it for cookies :-).
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  19. Sarah what a truly gorgeous silver dish. The details are really beautiful and unique. ~Lovely!

    ~Blessings, ~Melissa :)

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  20. You found some fabulous pieces and I especially like the glass dish with the silver pedestal... :) Happy Belated Silver Sunday

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  21. Oh my, your arms must be so tired from polishing! They are beautiful. Thanks for the chocolate. Don't mind if I do take one.

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  22. Sarah, you did well with these! I love the crystal dish with the sterling foot, and it would also be the perfect nut dish because the top part wouldn't be hurt by the salt on the nuts. And that little tray is GORGEOUS. I'm a girl who likes polished silver, and that is so pretty all polished. Now, while I do love polish, some older Sheffield and plated pieces I leave alone. I think I might opt to do that with the candle stick. Love your finds!!!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  23. I love your silver. The silver dish with rose detail in the middle is beautiful.

    Rebecca

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  24. Good morning dear Sarah,
    What wonderful treasrues you have found. Although I am one of those shabby chic kinda gals that would have probably left them with the patina I think they look absolutely gorgeous all polished up. Really, you couldn't go wrong either way... Thank you for the chocolate my sweet friend...Until next time. Have a wonderful day.

    Hugs and Kisses,

    ♥Ana

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  25. Like you Sarah, I just polished my thrifted silverplate. I lived with it being tarnished for awhile, but I'm so much happier now that it's gleaming! Yours is truly a special find, just lovely.

    Thank you for your visit! And I really adored that tablescape!

    Cheers, Andrea

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  26. How beautifull the tray & candy dish are now, I'm thinking it took lots of elbow grease to get them that way.
    I wonder what you'll do with the candlestick?
    ~maggie~

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  27. You found some very pretty pieces!

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  28. What beautiful silver pieces! Isn't it amazing how gorgeous they are all polished up!

    Katherine

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  29. Your silverware is truly beautiful, Sarah. I wish I could find amazing things like that! I was wondering what you used to clean it so well? I don't think any of my silver cleaners would be able do a job like that!

    Best wishes, Natasha.

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  30. WOW! That silver tray is gorgeous! What a lucky find.

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