Hello and thanks in advance for any advice,
I have recently inherited my grandmothers silver serving dishes and platters (chafing dishes) and have no idea what they are worth. I live in Australia and cannot transport them back and wish to sell. They are currently at my mom’s in the United States. Is it better to sell individually on Ebay or Etsy or somewhere else to try to sell as a set? Any help would be appreciated. Photos are attached.
We also have a whole Reed and Barton Pumpkin tea and coffee serving set that I am somewhat attached to but have never used. It has inlaid ivory bits on the handle too.
Thank you
Natalie
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G’day Nat:
The marks you took photos of are EPNS silver and very nice too but not of any significant intrinsic value.
EPNS, or electro-plated nickel silver, was widely popular in the first two quarters of the last century and continues to be sold today.
Online auctioneers will realize you only a small fraction of what your dear departed likely paid for it in the first place. Because the silver content is limited to a thin sheen, there is no melt value for it.
If the heat blockers in the handles of the items you are rather attached to are ivory or even animal bone, which is frankly more usual, you would need to get CITES clearance before shipping anywhere in or out of the US, or any other CITES country including your own, so its kinda of good you made that decision not to already.
Have a look on the ebay sold list for similar items and you will get a price realized evaluation. The prices ask or auction list are less helpful for obvious reasons.
One of the marks actually says EPNS in a gothic script which someone had taken a sharp instrument to for whatever reason another has the letters EPNS in individual shields. Unfortunately it’s still electroplated.
Cheers
Christopher Wilson
Guildhall Antiques
Toronto.
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Thank you so much Christopher. I really appreciate your expertise.
Nat
