Featured Silver Items Help

Hi All,
The Silver God was smiling on my as I found a few more pieces of silver The bowl and shakers were very dirty so I can understand how the marks were missed, but the shell dishes are clearly marked sterling.
Any information is appreciated
thanks for looking
The Birks bowl has a dent in the side but it weighs 342g so will sell for scrap. I don't know if dents can be taken out, but it is a plain bowl so I don't think there is any value other than scrap.






The shakers are 3"H. The top on one is stuck - any suggestions on how to get it off? Or just scrap them, they weigh 54g and I paid $1.00 for them. I think salt was in the shaker with the stuck top, pepper was in the other one. I have tried soaking it in a bowl of soap and water, also put liquid soap on the lid but no movement. Why don't people empty shakers before donating?





Next are these shell shaped things, maybe for nuts or candies? Made by Hunt Silver Company, 1930-1940s. I thought coasters at first but there are ridges so a glass doesn't sit flat.

 

The bottom is Hunt bon bon / nut dishes

The rest is scrap

 

thanks Terry

 

Dont scrap the salt and peppers ! I think those are great.Ive had luck loosening tops like that by soaking them in warm water.

 

I agree. People collect salt & peppers. They can be sold and make good money.

Loosen with warm water and soap, and then clean thoroughly.

We used to get cheap EPNS shakers in my charity-shop all the time. Half the time we'd pick them up, and salt would come pouring out of them all over the counter. It used to make us laugh so much

 

thanks johnny and Shangas, they are cute and have no damage I should have said I've tried soaking them in water, also rubbed liquid soap around the opening in hopes it would help loosen the top, but no movement at all.
I'm thinking it is probably salt that caused it to be stuck.
I'll try putting it in a bowl of ammonia, maybe that will do it. I forgot about this, but I used ammonia once to remove salt from an open salt, it doesn't hurt the silver. Will update with results

 

Do you have an ultrasonic cleaner? That may also help.

 

no I don't.

 

If that doesn't work, try lighter fluid. Works on almost everything that is stuck. And I agree those are cute and can be sold for more than scrap value.

 

Have you tried boiling water? sometimes my husband freezes stuck metal parts and it occasionally helps. I have found various car parts in my freezer.

 

Run very hot water over the stuck part. For three times as long as you think you ought.
Back "in the day," salts were emptied after every meal, and the container cleaned and polished. A pox on those who can't be bothered when sending them away!

 

And speaking of parendolia, note the OP's first photo!

 

I've definitely poured salt out by accident when checking the bottom for marks.

Reminds me of a story a few decades ago. An antique dealer friend took me to a house where she sort of knew the sellers. They were selling a bedroom set. The set was in the basement and the owner and I went downstairs to take a look while my friend stayed upstairs. All of a sudden we hear all these noises coming out of the ceiling, sort of rattling and scraping, and feet moving something around. Anyway, get upstairs and owner says, "What was all that racket?!" and my friend kind of winked and says, "Oh I was just dancing a bit."

The minute we were both back in the car, she says "OMG!!!! I picked up a pottery vase to see the mark and all this stuff poured out!" Embarrassing, but hilarious!

Cx... definitely let us know if you can get that lid off.

 

Very nice @cxgirl

 

My mom did that with her S&P shakers and I still do it with mine. But I think maybe older people might have owned the ones that turn up in estates etc. They can forget or just pass away and someone just picks them up and in a box they go. Auctions are especially bad for turning over the shakers and have them dump out on the table. Auction people just auction, they don't clean up, fix up, or make anything look nicer. I'm glad you're not scrapping them.

 

I think I have a set of silver or silver plate shakers that I bought about 15 years ago at a sale and they may still have the salt and pepper in them. Never got around to selling them. When I was buying shakers to resell, most if not all, had condiments inside.

 

Go empty them quickly!!! Often irreparable damage is done by salt to silver, solid or plate.

 

If you don't have lighter fluid, try WD40. Use the thin spray attachment.

 

Absolutely agree. The damage that salt can do to silver is...impressive...to say the least.

 

I have also turned over shakers to see a label or mark and the stuff pours out. LOL