Weighted candlestick.

Questions on polishing, restoration, conservation + manufacturing techniques
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ds1969
Posts: 55
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 4:33 am

Weighted candlestick.

Post by ds1969 »

Silver candlestick. The Finnish stamp of 1928. At the base of the candlestick - black solid and slightly porous material for its weighting (similar to sealing wax).
What kind of material is it and how much does it weigh?
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dognose
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Location: England

Re: Weighted candlestick.

Post by dognose »

Hi,

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ds1969
Posts: 55
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 4:33 am

Re: Weighted candlestick.

Post by ds1969 »

Sorry.
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AG2012
contributor
Posts: 5576
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:47 am

Re: Weighted candlestick.

Post by AG2012 »

Hi,
There are no marks, just the base.
It`s resin,wax or cement.
Average vintage cement weighted silver content is about 10% to 15 %. The calculation is valid for cement weighted thinnest silver.If silver sheet is thicker and wax (resin) weighted the percentage can rise up to 25% - 30% but it`s really an approximate calculation, lots of experience is needed.
Candlesticks often have reinforcing metal rods in the middle.
Try to chip small sample of the filling and immerse into boiling water - resin would melt and can be removed by boiling.
Cement is impossible to remove unless the item smashed.
Regards
ds1969
Posts: 55
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2016 4:33 am

Re: Weighted candlestick.

Post by ds1969 »

AG2012 wrote:Hi,
There are no marks, just the base.
It`s resin,wax or cement.
Average vintage cement weighted silver content is about 10% to 15 %. The calculation is valid for cement weighted thinnest silver.If silver sheet is thicker and wax (resin) weighted the percentage can rise up to 25% - 30% but it`s really an approximate calculation, lots of experience is needed.
Candlesticks often have reinforcing metal rods in the middle.
Try to chip small sample of the filling and immerse into boiling water - resin would melt and can be removed by boiling.
Cement is impossible to remove unless the item smashed.
Regards
Thanks!
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