Posted 9 years ago
jearve
(103 items)
Not really my 'cup of tea' item but found it in the bottom of a drawer full of tools, nuts and bolts and bits and pieces. Not sure if it is silver?
Can't visibly see any markings.
Plenty of powder still in place.
Very nice ! looks a lot like pewter ?
I agree with Manikin. It certainly does look like pewter. It's really very nice!!
I think it could be silver, have you looked in the inside of the compact, around the rim and at the bottom were the powder would be. I'm really into compacts so I really like this one.
Silver or silverplate, not pewter. Very nice!
Thank you people, I'm thinking along the lines of pewter as I can't see any marks even with a magnifying glass? I looked in the bottom under the powder area after blowing it all in my face and eyes with compressed air and still no marks to tell what it is?
But inside discolouration is more silvery yellowy and outside with more air exposure is more charcoal so does that indicate silver?? Still not sure?
I'm not sure, if there are no marks it could still be Silver, someone has gone to a lot of effort with the engraving, and the back is very neat. I'm thinking along the lines that the compact is Italian, may be gently clean it with warm soapy water to bring off the tarnish, just start in one area and see what is underneath. Manikin maybe right that it is pewter. Or take it to a Local jeweller, good luck.
If the bottom of the compact is Silvery yellow it could have been Gilded, just a thought.
Nice! Pewter would be too soft for an item like this. It really looks like silverplated as the base metal (e.g. brass) is visible were the plating is worn off.
After re looking at inside which I missed it looks like silver overlay but now question gold base color or is it reverse was inside highlighted with gold color or is it under base color ? beats me :-(
I believe quite firmly that the inside 'brightness' is due to the lack of atmospheric exposure, being closed for probably around 40 odd years. I have given the top a bit of a rub with a damp non scratch scrubber and am sure in the right hands would come back to the same look as the inside as it is much shinier now. The material seems soft giving pewter an edge I'm afraid? There is a local jeweller I'll show soon.
Forgot to mention the mirror unfortunately has a spot of de-silvering which can be seen in the 2nd photo.
It'll go on ebay some day soon anyway
This brings up a question..... when should a vintage or antique be cleaned, and when should it be left alone?
Very nice compact. I enjoy them, too!
rucklezglass,
Thank you for the good tips. Makes perfect sense!
Sunnybrook
That's an oldie, too.