How do you clean silver teapots safely?

Wash the silver in warm soapy water using a soft cloth. Dry it immediately to stop water marks forming on the surface. Use a mild silver polish only when the metal tarnishes. Rub gently in straight lines rather than circles to avoid scratching.

I have a porcelain set that my grandmother left me but one of the teacups is missing. Does the set need to be complete to be useful?

Harlequin sets are popular and practical. You can mix and match missing cups with those from other patterns to create a varied table display. Many antique sets survive with missing pieces. People often use odd saucers as small plates or spare sugar bowls for holding sweets.

Can I drink from old porcelain cups?

Yes, you can use antique cups. The glazes remain stable. Wash them by hand. Modern dishwashers will ruin the painted details.

A silver service I was looking at has a wooden handle on the teapot that feels a bit loose when you try and lift it. Can a silversmith tighten these up?

Silver pins hold the wooden handle in place. Over decades of use, the wood shrinks and the sockets widen. A silversmith can drill out the old pins and fit new ones. They may also pack the joints to make the handle rigid again.

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Antique Tea Service

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A matching set of drinking vessels and serving pieces, an antique tea service typically includes a teapot, sugar bowl, and cream jug, developed to serve the imported leaf in domestic settings.