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SILVER RESTORATION AND REPAIRConservation-grade restoration for sterling and silverplate in our Philadelphia studio—structural joins, dent removal, seam and handle repairs, and quiet surface integration that preserves maker’s marks, inscriptions, and original finish intent.
Our silver work pairs structural integrity with finish options guided by the piece—and by you. We true geometry, close seams, reseat hardware, and correct distortion so trays sit flat and teapots pour cleanly. Then we tune the surface to suit both intent and preference: satin, soft gloss, or mirror bright. We’ll outline trade-offs (thickness, marks, surrounding wear) and protect detail as we work, so the result reads coherent and lasts.
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AT A GLANCE
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Silver bowl with putto supports and a candlestick—detached parts reattached, seams closed, dents planished, bases trued; polished to mirror bright at client’s request.
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OVERVIEW OF SILVER RESTORATION IN PHILADELPHIAEvery treatment balances structure, appearance, and evidence of making. We true forms, address dents from the reverse, close splits, and secure handles and hinges before any surface work. Soldered joins are aligned for strength and then planished to reinstate clean profiles. Surface work is restrained and local: contaminants lifted, highs and lows eased by hand, and sheen moderated to the object’s intended finish—bright, satin, or softly aged. When complete invisibility would require loss of material, we choose stability and dignity over aggression.
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Before-and-after sterling compote; cleaned, dents eased, stem trued; mirror-bright polish with fluting preserved.
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HOLLOWARE AND TEA SERVICESKettles, teapots, coffee pots, covered sugars, and trays often arrive with cumulative dents, seam splits, loose handles, and leaning spouts. We straighten spouts, re-pin or sleeve handles, close splits, and level feet for a stable, square stance. Lids are seated and hinges rebuilt or re-pinned as needed. Finishes are tuned to respect maker intent: a controlled satin bright for daily service, a quiet gloss for earlier forms, or a softened read that lets engraving and tooling marks remain legible.
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Silverplate tea service—before and after. Tarnish reduced, dents eased, and surfaces polished to mirror bright; engraved ornament and footed bases preserved.
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TRAYS AND LARGE SURFACESWide fields are planished from the reverse to lift dents without heavy cut or loss of crisp detail. Rolled edges and applied rims are stabilized to prevent future peeling or deformation. We avoid broad machine polish that chases mirror glare; instead, we work by hand to harmonize sheen so the tray sits comfortably with its service. Engraving and inscriptions stay readable; high points are not stripped flat. For plated trays, we protect existing plate and only escalate when structurally necessary.
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Art Nouveau silver centerpiece, c. 1900—tarnish and corrosion reduced; rim and wells trued; bright polish restored with sculpted handles and whiplash ornament preserved.
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FLATWARE AND SMALLWORKFlatware typically shows distortion rather than failure. We realign bent tines, true spoon bowls, tighten ferrules and joints, and address knife rattles from within so pieces sit and cut properly. Finish is calibrated to the set and your preference—satin, quiet gloss, or mirror bright—after we explain trade-offs and mask monograms and inscriptions. Work stays local and progressive to avoid thinning; pattern height, edges, and hallmarks remain intact, and the set reads consistent.
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Sterling dessert spoons with ornate handles—heavy tarnish and staining reduced; bowls dressed and minor bends trued; polished to bright finish with pattern detail preserved.
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SURFACE INTEGRATION AND FINISH TUNINGPolishing is a tool, not a goal. We lift old compounds, reduce harsh wheel marks, and even local highs and lows so the object reads whole rather than newly made. Maker’s marks remain sharp; soft age is preserved. Sterling often rewards a satin bright rather than mirror; when a high-bright finish is appropriate, it is approached progressively and without unnecessary thinning. For plated pieces, we tune sheen to surrounding wear instead of chasing uniform glare.
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Sterling bowl with repoussé floral rim—field dents eased and rim trued; surface polished to a bright finish, retaining crisp chasing and relief.
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PACKING AND SHIPPING
We provide packing guidance and accept shipments to and from our Philadelphia studio. Trays and lids are immobilized; protrusions are padded and supported to prevent leverage in transit. For sets, components are wrapped individually and nested with dividers. On arrival, we document condition and confirm scope before any work proceeds.
