Silver cutlery at all times were valued not only as an attribute of luxurious life, but also a spectacular, beautiful way to serving. Today, the acquisition of table silver is becoming popular. Even a small subject of serving from this metal gives the table aristocraticity and grace.
A set of utensils from silver is a very valuable and original gift for any celebration.
History
The dishes from this noble metal began to spread in our country only in the XVIII century, and the first imperial set was made for the Peter's first Tsar first in 1711. After this event, silver becomes a mandatory element of serving rich houses. Services consisted of a variety of items: VAZ, IKORN, samovars, trays, forks, spoons, plates. But sets for a certain number of people (6, 12) were valued above. Silver created sets for tea, table, coffee, wine, wine destinations.
It was a table silver that has acquired the status of the family and passed to the descendants. In the same age, the tradition of a gift of a silver spoon was born. The dessert spoon was given by the young gymnasium at admission, at the end of the gymnasium - the dining room. The noble families were collecting silver, its number determined the status. Over time, utensils from silver became more valuable. If the family fell into a predicable position, the table silver tried not to sell.
Manufacture
In the Middle Ages and later, the dishes were made of pure metal, now it is made of silver 925 or 800 samples. This digital sign demonstrates which percentage ratio of pure silver in the alloy. Modern serving rarely includes samovars or silver trays, but spoons, knives, forks are purchased quite often. Cutlery are created according to sketches on the equipment of the stamping type. First, silver rolls out to the desired thickness and perfectly smooth surface. Then the objects of serving are stamped by the press, at this stage a planned ornament appears.
After the device is cut down and many stages passes, it is grinding, polished, decorated.
Tableware as a gift
Today, it is rare to meet wine glasses and silver plates at home serving. Production is somewhat different from pre-revolutionary, such a variety, as before, is not in demand in modern life. The most common cup holders, forks, spoons, knives, children's sets. Only occasionally a family buffet adorns a coffee pot or silver kettle. In any case, the presence of a set of such dishes is considered exquisite, the status stress the taste of the hostess. Therefore, as a gift, silver is very in demand. If you want to present a really valuable and original gift of a young family, on a housewir or anniversary - you can safely consider such an option.
At the wedding and anniversaries, most often choose sets from a large number of devices, for 10 or 12 persons The housewarming can be limited to a set of 4 to 6 people. Separately, you can select a set of 1 person, that is, children's. This is the only old tradition, established in modern Ukrainian - to give the baby on a silver spoon. If you do not know how to please the young mother, give a set of silverware for the first use. As a rule, it consists of a children's spoon, forks and a knife. Now many manufacturers create real works of art with cartoon characters, animals and birds attracting kids.
Advantages and disadvantages
Table silver has many advantages. Among the main advantages:
- aesthetics, spectacular appearance of a serving, have such dishes means to have a good taste;
- status, the ability to create traditions of transmission of dishes by inheritance;
- long service life, especially with competent care;
- Silver has many properties that are favorable to the human body, perfectly cleans water;
- Practicality, you should not remove instruments into a distant box, the more often use silver spoons and forks, the better;
- Reliable investment of money, this dishes will not break or deform.
As for the shortcomings, the cost of set is considered to be the most significant. This valuable acquisition is much higher than the cost of products from Melchior or stainless steel.
How to choose?
The first purchase is the most responsible, it is impossible to acquire such things in unverified places, especially if it comes to antiques. Choosing a table silver, pay attention to the following nuances.
- Try. This is the most important criterion for choosing silverware, so before purchasing, evaluating, the metal of which sample was used in the manufacture. Of course, the lower the sample, the less high-quality devices. It also depends on the price than the above sample, the higher the content of silver, the more expensive the product. It is recommended to use 925 sample cutting machines when serving, if the sample is lower, it means the souvenir plan.
- Ornament, thread. Another value criterion is the presence of engraving, pattern, drawings for metal. What they are more, the more serious work and more expensive the product.
- Uniqueness. Determines the prices and exclusivity of the dishes, the most expensive - the author. Everyone is nice to possess the device whom no one else has. Products of industrial mass production is cheaper, as they are made by a whole party. But this does not mean that the quality of such dishes is worse.
- Antiques. The most expensive view, the purchase of which is very difficult if you do not have a special experience. A written expertise should be applied to the product. Evaluate the product for damage, as time is ruthless, scratches and dents may be present. Remember that restoration work is very expensive, which can spoil the thing.
- Stigma. This is not only a sample, but also authorship, the name of the manufacturer, trademark. According to this sign, it is possible to calculate the production time, authenticity of antique things. However, it is necessary to pre-conduct an additional estimate, since the stamp can be false.
Care
In order for the dishes to please you and your households with their aesthetic appearance, It must be care for it.
- Keep it in a cool place in a box or case, in covers. Such measures will not grade dust, affect metal temperature, other external manifestations.
- It is necessary to keep table silver separately from other products. Remember that silver is quite vulnerable and easily damaged.
- For the same reason, the instruments should not touch each other when stored. Choosing such a gift, make a choice in favor of sets with covers and cases, this will provide ease of storage.
- Do not keep silver in packing from cardboard or paper. Also avoid silk and viscose fabrics, otherwise silver will be dark.
- The use of the cream for hands and other means of the cosmetology plan can leave on silver stains.
- Use table silver for serving, and not for cooking. For example, a knife from this metal is not suitable for cutting meat.
- If there is enamel on the product, you need to handle such devices very carefully - it is quite fragile. It is enough to drop on the floor to damage the enamel.
- You should not interfere with silver spoons viscous foods, such as honey.
- Wash the silver dishes is easy, but only manually, the dishwasher can not be useful to you here.
- Wash dishes from this metal immediately after use with any detergent. Then it follows her dry and remove it into covers.
- If you notice a light flare - Silver is time to clean, polish, do not wait until it fully dars. In this case, cleaning will not require a lot of time and serious effort.
- Dust is removed from the instruments with a soft tissue. In no case should it scratch the product.
- Polish silver, as if stroking, in a circle, with the use of specialized. Do it need it regularly.
Despite the right care, silverware can darken. Cleaning will help to return the former appearance of the dull product. It is carried out with the help of various means. You can purchase the appropriate tool in the jewelry store, there are also buy special fabrics for polishing: felt, velvet, suede.
For home cleaning, you can use the ammonia, diluted with water.
In the next video you are waiting for silver cleaning at home.