Nonfilled Hollowware Restoration

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I restore many hollowware items that do not contain fill. It is important to know the base metal of what is being restored.

All metal, sterling, silver plate ,white metal and even speltzer (pot metal) can be restored. Most often a picture will let me tell what metal we are working with. When I know what the metal is, the restoration my customer is requesting and the condition I am starting with, an estimate can be formed. As with filled wares, a wide range of restorations are possible.

The lacquer was removed, sterling straightened. The velvet backing was cleaned and the breaks soldered. Then a special frame was constructed to prepare to polish the intricate design.

The frame was then detailed and placed back onto the clean velvet easel back frame. Truly an amazing piece to work with.

I dismantled the piece, put the pieces through several different bath to remove the lacquer. The pieces were then machine polished and then reassembled. I used Hagerty Silver Spray Polish, as an easy effective way to prevent tarnishing. I do not recommend lacquering because the lacquers seal is problematic and is costly to remove.

The handle was bent and broken and the silver looked to be in very bad condition. I started with assessing the condition of the silver plate and determined it was in very good condition. I then straighten the handle and aligned the breaks . I soldered the handle with a soft silver bearing solder so the color would be as close as possible to the finish. The soldered section of the handle was detailed and polished along with the rest of the basket.