Advice on Silver Polishing

[druusilla4]

I really want to polish this sterling frame, but I read that it's better to leave it as is. It's from the early 1900's. What do you all think..should I leave it as is? TIA 😊

[moretreasures4you]

I sell a lot of sterling, and I would say do not polish this piece. Also, is it marked sterling or is it silver plated? Makes a big difference.

[mooncat_watches]

That patina in particular is beautiful, I too wouldn't touch it.

[couturehomecollection]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing. Your lovely frame looks to be a Second Boer War commemorative and labeling it would help collectors in this specialist category find it and bid accordingly! Look for English Sterling marks, usually represented by a lion and other marks (not numbers as pictured). 

There are certainly pros and cons to polishing silver and silver plated items. 

[sonomabarn67 · Accepted solution]

First, continue researching to see if it is a presentation frame of any sort. Present those results here. Search on lens. And then depending on a number of variables like what the flags are etc. I still would not polish it. However, as it currently looks like it came from a cupboard in a hobo's hovel, it can be gently cleaned using a very soft cosmetics brush like ladies use. Have a paper towel to use as a blotter and use a drop of soap liquid in a quarter cup of warm soapy water then stir to form bubbles. Gently use your brush to get a whisper of the bubbles and go over a small 1 inch square using your brush. Go gently taking your time to lift the dirt away before blotting the moisture. Light brush then blot.Most of these frames will allow you to insert a thin piece of plastic between the velvet and the silver so the velvet does not get wet.

Come back tomorrow and we will clean the rear axle of a 1963 Rambler using only Dove dish liquid and a grinder.

[le-5262]

I prefer unpolished...

but have been known to use a little toothpaste and water for a light wipe down.

[roccotacodad54]

   If you are going to sell it.......as others have said, don't.

Any serious buyer of a frame like this would rather make that choice themselves, at least in my opinion.

   I occasionally buy vintage/antique items with silver fittings and I usually pass on ones that are overpolished (if that makes sense).  I'd much rather keep patina intact for the most part.

[bonjourami]

I would polish with a soft jewelers cloth, it will remove most of that dirt and leave the patina.

[simba6]

Leave it!   More antiques have been ruined or lost serious value due to cleaning than any other cause.  Let the new owner deal with it.

[bonjourami]

The problem is, with that much dirt, the silver can tarnish and that can turn into corrosion.

[sonomabarn67]

Most people don't know the difference between cleaning and polishing. I take my cues on that from the museum approach of just cleaning if necessary.

[druusilla4]

Thank you all for your input. I've taken your advice and decided not to polish. I did take a very soft tooth brush and soft cloth to get some of the buildup out of the crevices and shine it up a bit.

[bonjourami]

Very nice, and great patina!!

[sonomabarn67]

Great job of cleaning and not polishing. If you go to 925-1000.com and poke around in English marks you can learn the makers (JD WD), date (R), etc. Good luck!