How do I date a silver letter opener?

Examine the hallmarks stamped directly onto the silver mount or blade. British pieces typically show a date letter, a town mark, and a lion passant indicating sterling standard. Comparing the stylistic cues, such as Art Deco geometric lines or Victorian naturalistic motifs, helps narrow down the decade when hallmarks are rubbed or absent.

Were meat skewers used as letter openers?

Georgian silver meat skewers were frequently repurposed as letter openers and page turners by later collectors and owners. Their long, tapering blades suited the task of slicing through folded paper. Such items retain their original provincial or London assay marks from the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries despite their change in function.

How should I clean tortoiseshell and silver?

Wipe the silver components gently with a specialised silver polishing cloth while avoiding contact with organic materials like tortoiseshell or horn. These natural elements are sensitive to moisture and chemical polishes. Dust tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl with a soft, dry microfiber cloth to preserve their natural lustre without risking delamination or surface scratching.