I know many families trying to decide what to do with matched sets of champagne flutes, or good silverware, or fine china, or other items from decades in the past. These days, younger folks often have no room for a service for twelve of anything. Plus, more are choosing to entertain casually rather than throwing a formal dinner party with silver, crystal, and the works.
Important! Photograph a place setting or one specific piece of your set so it will live on in your family history records, no matter what you decide to do. Write down a description and let future generations know the manufacturer and approximate date of purchase or however these items entered your family's hands. Maybe you'll want to write a paragraph about some memorable times this china or silverware or goblet set was used for a family holiday or special dinner. Add a photo of a family meal with this set in use, if you can.
Possible next steps
As noted in my book, Planning a Future for Your Family's Past, I think it's a good idea to consider your options sooner rather than later. My recommendations:
- Talk with your family about whether they would like to have any or all of your treasured china or silverware or goblets (or other items).
- Mention a specific story (or two) of those items being carefully picked out or proudly displayed by an ancestor, to highlight the emotional connection.
- If no one wants the set, offer to have each person take a single teaspoon or just one piece from any of these sets. Better to save a few items than to have the entire set fall out of the family's hands forever. Everyone has room for one item!
- In addition to offering an item to your siblings, children, grandchildren, also consider asking nieces, nephews, cousins to accept one item. This saves more items and it spreads the stories around to more relatives at the same time.
My grandmother divided up her fine china many years ago - I got the sugar bowl! It helped that she had 28 grandchildren and a number of adult great-grandchildren by the time of her death at age 97. I have been asking my sisters-in-law for the stories behind some of the items my late husband, their older brother, had that belonged to their parents, so I can share those stories with his kids and grandkids when asking if they want any of the items.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, this is the best-case scenario, spreading the fine china around and having you gathering stories!
DeleteI met someone this past weekend who collects old china and rents and sells it to others. She loves collecting it and finds that people love dressing their tables with mixed pieces. They become conversational pieces.
ReplyDeleteInteresting and I'm sure mixed pieces are a fun way to display old items while sparking conversation.
Deletecan the silver be melted down and cashed out? Or is it too impure?
ReplyDeleteNot enough value because too impure, but older sets may still have value because of age and style.
DeleteI go to a lot of estate sales and see lots of nice fine china, silver ware etc. at these places. It makes me sad to see that there is no family left or interested in inherting these things, including family pictures.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, including seeing old family photos in flea markets. Sad.
DeleteLuckily, my cousin's daughter was promised her 2X great grandmother's china set after me. I've even added a few pieces through the years because the pattern is intricate and uncommon.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear the china set is going to a very good home in the future!
DeleteI love these ideas. So much to think about!
ReplyDeleteTY for reading and commenting. I would hate to see these types of family items wind up in a thrift shop.
DeleteI have many of these things: silverware, china, glassware, etc. I have photographed them. I have a loose leaf binder with many items from our home. On the back of the photos I tell who they once belonged to. Our children will know how old things are & the approximate value.
ReplyDeleteYou are way ahead of the game! Your descendants are so lucky.
DeleteSome really good ideas here! Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting!
DeleteNone of my kids want my mothers old china, it my step daughter was glad to have it, as they entertain quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteI kept one chipped plate and I’ve seen online how to make jewelry and art from broken plates. I’m going to try that to give a piece to each of my girls.
https://ibreakplates.com/
Good idea to create something new from old china! Thanks for leaving a comment.
DeleteWe're having a family meeting next month to discuss who wants what of our parents (luckily, still living). Of course, I want to keep it all (LOL) but I know I won't be able to. I should ask now what the stories are behind some of the pieces, take some photographs and write the stories down, just in case!
ReplyDeleteThis is a smart way to plan ahead well in advance! Thanks for reading and commenting.
DeleteExcellent article. I've also found that if no one is interested, check out local theatre groups/movie sets. Their prop departments are always looking for neat items, especially when it comes to period pieces. If your famiily item lands in a movie, it will be a good story for your family research narrative and for future relations to keep an eye out.
ReplyDeleteWow. Community theater groups can always use period props and will appreciate china, silverware, goblets, other items that make a set look authentic! Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!
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