Weekend Collector: Silver

I have always loved antique silver and soon after my husband and I met, I got him hooked as well. We've had great fun over the years finding things on EBay or in the New York flea markets. One year he bought me a great silver ice bucket and tongs that were quite unusual and are great when people come over.

You'd be surprised how many great deals there are out there. One time I bought a delightful simple gravy boat on EBay for $2.50. I mean what a deal! We bring it out at Christmas and Easter when we've set a proper table and want to serve gravy in a somewhat civilized manner.

Over the years I've inherited or found great silver serving spoons and various sets of silverware. I find their patina is so much more appealing then regular stainless steel flatware and ideally I'd like to eventually replace all the stainless steel with silver as it lasts tremendously well and it would be a nice thing for our daughter Sophia to inherit.

Above, a wonderful assortment of spoons - I especially love the berry spoon with its intricate details.

This was a collecting story I did for Victoria Magazine in June 2002. Many of the pieces are from my own collection. The two cups and the bowl on the bottom shelf are my own from childhood and the sweet cup on the top shelf (inside box) is my daughter's given to her by her great grandfather. He bought it in the silver vaults in London.

So, do you like silver too? Let me know. Back in the Emerald Isle next week so will then give you an update on my trip to the States.