Silver spoons are considered a mandatory attribute in each house where children live. In our article, we will tell you how to choose and correctly care for the cutting devices, and why the tradition has appeared to give them kids, and what are the beneficial properties of silver spoons.
History
Spoons from such a metal, like silver, appeared in ancient Rome and Greece. At the time of the Middle Ages, the exclusive citizens and the Royal Courtyard were used by such cutlery appliances. They got more walking a little later - in the Renaissance Epoch. Then the custom of giving a child to the christening "Apostolic spoons", they were made of silver, and the cuttings decorated with the image of the Virgin, Jesus Christ and Angels.
Rich godfall gave their gods a pair of spoons, and children from the most famous families received a full silver set of 12 items. Traditionally, the child was handed a spoon with the image of the apostle, in honor of which he got his name. However, not everyone could afford a similar gift, which is why there appeared known phraseological "Born with a silver spoon in the mouth," which means that a person was born in a family with a very high material supply.
In the time of Baroque, other options for the decoration of the spoon appeared for the first time - they began to apply vestive patterns, landscapes and other pictures.
In Russia, such cutlery appeared at the end of the first millennium. So, in 998, the princes of Prince Vladimir received these spoons as a gift for the adoption of the Christian faith and full of paganism.
In our country, a spoon of silver has always been considered very good and expensive given - she was given not only to the appearance of the first tooth, but also to enter the child in the gymnasium, and also presented to newlyweds. The most secured families collected silver cutlery, as dowry for their daughters - traditionally it was transferred from Mother to her daughter from generation to generation.
The most valuable was always considered table sets - their cost is much higher than that of scattered devices, although one-only spoon with a monogram famous wizard can have a rather impressive value.
For example, at the beginning of the last century, a pair of Faberge spoons at the auction, Christie went for 8 thousand dollars, and a spoon made by Fyodor Ryucker was sold for 12.5 thousand dollars.
All over the world, the table silver of German brands is highly appreciated. So, Robbe & Berking has long supplied its products to the court of Arab Sheikh and the English Queen. The products of Robert Freund, Franz Schnell Halle, and Herbert Zeitner, are not less popular.
Highly appreciated by English tableware from silver brands William Suckling, Ridley Hayes , as well as products of some Danish enterprises. Among the Russian masters, the brothers Grachev, Ovchinnikov, Sazikov, and, of course, Faberge - many of them were in the past were suppliers of dishes for the Russian Imperial Court, this role was honorable and prestigious, so the dishes of these brands were usually branded with a special distinctive sign. Currently, the products of the Argent factory are in demand.
Nowadays, prices for the work of these masters can not be called exhausted, not only millionaires can afford them. For example, a silver spoon with gilding, decorated with the image of the Virgin, Danish Masters A. Michelsen, made in 1916, was sold for $ 230, in general, the price of the cutlery of this wizard varies from 50 to 600 dollars.
Vintage spoons of silver, made in the XVIII-XIX centuries, cost a little more expensive, and a set of table silver from 6 spoons and forks, made in 1855 by the famous Hippolyte Thomas jeweler, is offered for one and a half thousand dollars - the weight of the set is a little more kilogram, all The devices are decorated with a monogram owner.
Samples and stamps
The presence of a sample on any silver product speaks of its value and noble origin. If you turn to numbers, the marking shows which percentage of silver is in products. For example, Sample 925 means that silver content is not less than 92.5%, and the share of alloying elements accounts for no more than 7.5%, copper is most often used.
Respectively, The most expensive is the spoon of 999 samples: It almost does not contain impurities, these products always have a bright silver shade and do not darken over time. At the same time, silver is pure - it is plastic metal. In the course of use, such spoons are easily bent, and after several years, small scratches are formed on their surface and jar, such a spoon is very easy to break.
Spoons made of sample alloy 925 are the optimal combination of mechanical strength and characteristic silver radiance. The alloys of other samples retain the fortress, but as they use a yellowish tint.
Usually 925 sample spoons are covered with gilding or enamel, so that they retain an attractive view and specific color.
It is known that in France, silver cutlery 950 and 900 samples are produced.
On many spoons of silver there are stamps, they are known a great set. The fact is that in every country in this period there was its own system of silver labeling. For example, in Germany before 1988, there was a circulation of a lot of sample system, and in America to this day a carat is used. On antique devices, there are usually 3-4 and even more stamps. So, Russian spoons produced in the second half of the last century have as many as 5 characters:
- digital designation showing the proportion of silver in spools (usually metals 84, 88, as well as 91 samples);
- year of testing (for example, 1854);
- The master sign of the master who branded the product (only its initials was usually raised);
- The adopted designation of the Table Chamber (for example, for Moscow is Georgy Victorious);
- Master stigma, manufactured by the device.
Vintage European spoons had their own character branding. Thus, on products of English masters, a lion can be detected with a raised paw - this is a sign that the spoon is made of sterling silver (925 samples), and on products made from 1783 to 1890. Including, additionally put the stamps of duty, as well as the impression of an image of the ruling monarch.
Advantages and disadvantages
The benefits of silver are known since the oldest times. It was believed that water in contact with this metal becomes therapeutic healing from many dangerous ailments. The dishes from this metal were widely used in various cultures and religious rites, and the usefulness of silver found confirmation in scientific research.
It has been established that the metal has the ability to kill microbes, and it is precisely silver that manifests its bactericidal features in a larger volume. Following him go copper and gold. If you have a silver spoon, you can always make silver water. To do this, you just need to lower the usual spoon in it and to withstand at room temperature about a day.
Silver has the ability to destroy over 700 types of bacteria, while it acts 1750 times more efficient carbolic acid, 3.5 times more efficient permanganate potassium, chlorine and furaticiline, not touching useful microorganisms . It is noteworthy that the bacteria does not produce resistance to silver, therefore, even with long use, it retains efficacy in the fight against the pathogenic microflora.
Another useful quality of silver is that his ions can distinguish healthy cells from patients on the warmth of the radiated waves, thereby setting the affected areas on a healthy range.
These features and made a relevant tradition of the darisation of a silver spoon "on the teeth" - the use of such devices for feeding kids causes painless teething, growth and good appetite of the child, the ionic particles of this noble metal contain the development of bacteria, viruses and other harmful microorganisms that live in food, oral cavity and human stomach.
At the same time, silverware has its drawbacks:
- When contacting meat products and legs, silver are started to darken, so require constant care;
- Due to the increased thermal conductivity, the silver is pretty quickly heats up, for example, left in a glass with boiling water spoon in counting seconds becomes such a hot that it is hardly taken into hand;
- Silver low sample is quite fragile and with careless circulation begins to break;
- Silver cutlery at frequent use are thinned and become susceptible to mechanical effects.
Analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of silver spoons, you can make an obvious conclusion - to purchase silver products with the intention of frequent use is not worth it. It is better to get a table silver in solemn cases and during large family meetings.
How to distinguish from melchior appliances?
Silver is often confused with Melchior. Of course, if you buy a thing in the store, everything is clear, but if you, sacrificing the things that have come for the inheritance, discovered a silver cutlery, it is very important to understand whether it represents any value. Visually Melchior is very difficult to distinguish from silver at home, but if you adhere to some recommendations, then your task is largely simplified.
- Look carefully on the sample. If you are a spoon from Melchior, then on it you will see the abbreviation of the MTC, it is decrypted as copper, nickel and zinc - it is these metals that are the main components of the alloy. Silver spoons will stand the most common sample consisting of several digits.
- Hold the spoon in the water about a day. The product from silver will not change its species, while Melchior will begin to oxidize and acquire a dirty green shade.
- If you have a flavored pencil at hand, you can use them: just do the surface - Silver will remain unchanged, on the Melchior surfaces you will notice a dark spot.
- Try to evaluate a lot of spoons, put it on the scales - Silver should be heavier than Melchior.
- If you buy a product, think about his price . If you are offered silver at low cost, this is a good reason to think about it - it is possible that you are trying to deceive.
- Enter your own sense of smell, Melchior can be determined by the smell of copper. In order for the aroma to become more pronounced, the spoon is better to lose a little.
- Use the usual iodine: drip a bit on a spoon and take a bright sun - The dark stain should appear on the silver product. However, this method has its drawback: you will have to spend a lot of strength to clean your spoon.
- Instead of iodine, you can use a chrompik. Silver must give a red reaction, and the higher the sample, the more saturated the shade.
Do not forget that in previous years, Melchior was very often used for the manufacture of cutlery, and if you have a product without sample, it is most likely done from the MNC and is covered with light silver spraying.
Despite the fact that each of the listed methods relates to workers, in domestic conditions to distinguish silver from Melchior is very difficult. If you need 100% confidence, it makes sense to turn to professional jewelers, restorers or antiques - they will give an accurate assessment not only about the composition of the metal device, but also help to know its approximate date of manufacture and cost.
Varieties
Spoons Nowadays are available in the widest range - they can have a different shape, shades, different sizes and purpose.
The main types of spoons include 4 options.
- Canteen. These devices are adapted to use liquid porridges and first dishes from a high bowl, as well as to distribute salads and other snacks. In Russia, its volume is approximately 18 ml.
- Dessert . The device is used for sweet dishes and baking supplied in small plates, as well as in deep cups for broths and soups. Its size is about 10 ml.
- Tea. Its purpose is to mix the sugar in the tea glass, in addition, it is often used for desserts. The volume of such a spoon is 5 ml.
- Coffee. This spoon is 2 times less than tea, its volume corresponds to 2.45 ml and it is used complete with small coffee cups.
We also produce auxiliary spoons.
- Bar. It is an object with an elongated spiral handle, at the end of which a small ball is located. It is suitable for the preparation of various smoothies and cocktails consisting of several layers.
- Bouillon. Itself stretched either rounded, while quite deep, used for liquid dishes.
- Plug . It is used for the spill of hot and laying second dishes on plates.
- Sounding . Differs in small sizes and pointed nose.
- Spoon for absinthe. Her destination is to add sugar to this strong alcoholic drink.
- Figured. Used to lay jam, jam and mousses from a shared bowl or cans in small individual saucers.
- Spoon for potatoes. Visually, she resembles tubers with something. On both sides there are so-called "ears" - they prevent the fall of hot boiled or baked potatoes when overlapping in the plates.
- Spoon for spices. Its purpose is clear from the name. It usually has a compact size and necessarily comes complete with seasonings on the stand.
In addition to all the above varieties, you can find spoons for oysters, for sour cream, candies, as well as for caviar and many others.
Recommendations for choosing
Human health, especially the smallest family member, is most important, because when buying a spoon of silver should be extremely attentive. In case you intend to present a spoon exclusively as a souvenir - it will be quite enough just a beautiful decor, But if you decide to give a gift that will be used for subsequent feeding, then demand a sanitary and hygienic certificate from the seller.
When applying a spoon, you should not have the slightest doubt that the product is characterized by the highest quality and functionality. . The authenticity of the certificate is the main evidence that the use of a table appliance does not pose a threat to the life of the baby. This document also confirms that the product is made of an environmentally friendly alloy using a standardized technological process.
Any high-quality silver spoon must comply with the following criteria:
- have scrolls of rounded shape, without any chipping and all sorts of jar, which often lead to injury to the mouth of the mouth and the toddler language;
- The handle should be convenient if possible, it is desirable that at the edges there were some irregularities, they will allow crumb to carry out more resistant grip;
- The size of the spoon must fully respond to the peculiarities of the age and growth of the baby;
- Metal must be the highest quality.
In order for the spoons as long as possible not tucking, they are usually covered with purest silver 999 samples. Similarly, the spectacular appearance of products is preserved without prejudice to the useful properties of the metal.
However, not all covers are as useful as silver plated. For example, the gilding on silver looks very expensive and effectively, but because of it, all the beneficial properties of the silver itself are lost.
Sometimes to give a larger glitter metal. This is a noble metal that is able to protect the cutlery from the effects of chemical solutions and mechanical damage. Silver with a similar coating looks very effectively, and it makes the metal particularly resistant to corrosion. Rhodium silver for a long time retains the decorative properties of the metal, however, the death of viruses with bacteria during contact with such spoons does not occur.
Some silver spoons are covered with varnish - Such cutlery is not used according to their direct purpose, they perform exclusively decorative and souvenir functions. The varnish are applied on silver only to ensure that it is guaranteed to provide its long-term storage, the coating can be preserved by silver, prevents its oxidation and appearance of patina, but when interacting with food, toxic substances.
Souvenir products also include Silver spoons, silver mobile coating. This type of coatings looks luxurious, but it does not allow silver to fully show their healing properties.
All types of coatings, with the exception of the silver of 999 samples, largely reduce the healing properties of the metal, prevent the penetration of ions into food, and all this makes the cutlery completely useless from a medical point of view.
As for the design, in recent years, in recent years, the names with engraving are most often given, appliances with a keeper angel or zodiac sign.
In their appearance, spoons for a child, for men and women differ.
Storage and care
Nowadays, the choice of means for silver care products is great - you can always find a suitable drug in any economic or jewelry store, But traditionally very popular folk remedies used by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
- Very well cleans silver alloys ammonia alcohol. To do this, it is simply to plunge the spoons for an hour into a solution of alcohol mixed with water in proportion of 1 to 10. If you do not have time for waiting, moose in the solution of the ammonia, the rags and start the product as intensively as possible, up to the complete disappearance of spots. Keep in mind that table silver with black in this way is not recommended.
- To return silver brilliance, potato decoction has proven well. In order to get rid of the darkening, you need to put a silver spoon in it for a quarter of an hour, and already after this short time the device will look like a new one.
- Well purifies silver citric acid. Put a spoon in its concentrated solution for a few minutes, and very soon it will shine with a cold glitter.
- Clean silver spoons can be cleaned with a tobacco ash. To do this, you need to mix it with water, boil in the resulting spoon composition, after which the cutlery needs to wipe well. Alternatively, you can mix the ashes with lemon, and to this composition to handle the product.
- A good effect gives food soda, especially if many divorces appeared on the spoon. The sequence of actions here is simple - you just need to take a wet napkin, jump out some soda and wipe the locations of the contaminants until they disappear completely.
If you do not have any of the above, you can take advantage of ordinary toothpaste. It is just necessary to apply it on a soft rag, and thoroughly wipe the spoon.
About how to clean cutlery (melchior, silver, stainless steel) and other dishes, look in the video below.