Our eclectic collection of family silver that needs polishing!At this time of the year I tend to start using the sterling that has been hiding in the drawers for several month, looking dark and much neglected. I love sterling silver, especially cutlery, even though I only use it 8-10 times a year. Whenever I do pull it out and polish away the tarnish I think of my childhood friend whose mother used her sterling everyday. We always ate our Cheerios using well worn Repousse spoons. It felt so grownup, even though it always left a funny metallic taste in my mouth.
My husband's family were quite the collectors (or pack rats depending on who you ask) and we have inherited an eclectic collection over the years. Once again it's time to bring these much loved utensils back to life. We are having friends for dinner tomorrow so you can guess what I will be doing today. As you can see from the photos above there is much work to be done.
If you are a lover of sterling and you're in London you must visit The Silver Vaults. Hidden away behind large safe doors, the London Silver Vaults house a seemingly endless number of silverware dealers.
The Chancery Lane Safe Deposit, as it was formerly know, opened in 1876, renting rooms mainly to London's wealthy elite in order to safeguard their household silver, jewelery and personal documents.
The business remained the same for several years, but with many of the original clientele being replaced by silver dealers who required secure premises for their valuable stock. This need was made more pressing by the outbreak of the Second World War.
As knowledge of the Vaults began to spread, it became a "must" for visitors from overseas seeking quality silver at competitive prices. The rapid expansion of this business led to more dealers renting a room within the now world-renowned London Silver Vaults. It has been in its present format since 1953 and is still the place to shop for fine silver.
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