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There's a glut of vintage silverware and china right now. Things treasured and guarded by the last generation sit unused in a cabinet if lucky, or consignment o

There's a glut of vintage silverware and china right now. Things treasured and guarded by the last generation sit unused in a cabinet if lucky, or consignment or Goodwill if less lucky. I think many couples inherit several sets from their parents and now don't know what to do with them. I guess you could use it every day and enjoy the quality, but even then you don't want your kids bashing on it.

kevin_thibedeau 6y ago
Leaded glazes make most china unsuitable for everyday use.
- analog31 6y ago
  There are also issues with old stuff being dishwasher and microwave safe. And eating habits have changed. A lot of food is consumed from a bag or box.
echelon 6y ago
The current generation is going to get rid of it. The subsequent generations may show some interest. And in their time it will either be scarce and perhaps of some value, or still abundant and cheap from the previous generations' lack of interest.
ghaff 6y ago
I have my parents' wedding china. I did use it last December when I had a particularly big crowd over but mostly it sits in a cabinet. I use mostly stoneware on a day to day basis.
zucked 6y ago
I have a set of both - China and Silverware. I've never used either. I believe the older generation wants us to have their fancy heirlooms - 12 piece dining room sets, silverware, china, their most giant gaudy antique armoire. Converelsy, what I have tried to instill in my parents as they downsize their belongings is that I want the practical stuff they used every day. A quality set of dishes (not china!) - my mom's chemex. What's left of their old solid-wood furniture. That stuff has value to me - it was made differently - better quality, thicker, etc. Items that were part of pomp and circumstance used once or twice a year back then don't interest me.
- nkrisc 6y ago
  > Converelsy, what I have tried to instill in my parents as they downsize their belongings is that I want the practical stuff they used every day. Amen! The most useful thing my parents handed down to me was the dishes we used for my entire childhood. They're just pretty basic stoneware dishes made in the ol' US of A but they held up for 30 years, starting from before I was born up until I got my own place after college. Then I used them for the another 10 years, and apart from some chips on some of them, or not having a complete set due to the few that broke, they look like they could be only a few years old. It was kind of neat watching my son eat off the same plates that I ate off when I was his age. We eventually got some new plates but have the old ones packed away. I'm curious to see how long the new ones last, I don't know if they make them like they used to.
  - sumtechguy 6y ago
    Corningware for me. That stuff is borderline indestructible. All the other stuff I have bought over the years is broken, chipped, etc. But that older corningware. Good stuff. Even the shape makes everything stack nice and compact. My mom and dad have gone thru 3 or 4 sets of other stuff. A couple of other sets for me. But this stuff...
    - CarbyAu 6y ago
      I too am a fan of Corningware. The shapes and weights suit me. It practically defines the concept of a bowl for me. But I note you said "borderline indestructible". Not just "indestructible". Which means I have found a fellow victim of ceramic shard explosion! They take a beating, but when they go, they go big!
      - sumtechguy 6y ago
        True story: My Aunt: "These are unbreakable" My Dad: "They look nice" My Aunt: "watch this" yeeets a casserole dish on the floor... It was quite the mess. The tea cups for me are hit or miss if they will survive. I think it has to do with the shape. Everything else is very tough.
Nasrudith 6y ago
I think they became worthless ironically because they were so treasured. Previously the good China may have had some special occasion remembered, some social importance where they would be brought out. Being so guarded they were never used and took up space and thus never acquired any memories for the newer generations, just being a social cargo cult tautology of valued because they were valued. Toys in the original unopened box may be worth more but that isn't why there was demand for them in the first place. Unless there is some sort of hilarious misprint, defect, or very questionable concept (accidentally looking very sexual, looking like a reference to some notorious event) thaf makes it a curiosity in itself, the toys were valued because of their use.
ip26 6y ago
you could use it every day and enjoy the quality That's the only road back I can see for silverware & china. Get people to actually use it. It really can be nice stuff- it's just pointless if it lives in a big case. (If it only lasts a year or three, there's plenty more where that came from)

kevin_thibedeau 6y ago

Leaded glazes make most china unsuitable for everyday use.

analog31 6y ago
There are also issues with old stuff being dishwasher and microwave safe. And eating habits have changed. A lot of food is consumed from a bag or box.

echelon 6y ago

The current generation is going to get rid of it. The subsequent generations may show some interest. And in their time it will either be scarce and perhaps of some value, or still abundant and cheap from the previous generations' lack of interest.

ghaff 6y ago

I have my parents' wedding china. I did use it last December when I had a particularly big crowd over but mostly it sits in a cabinet. I use mostly stoneware on a day to day basis.

zucked 6y ago

I have a set of both - China and Silverware. I've never used either. I believe the older generation wants us to have their fancy heirlooms - 12 piece dining room sets, silverware, china, their most giant gaudy antique armoire. Converelsy, what I have tried to instill in my parents as they downsize their belongings is that I want the practical stuff they used every day. A quality set of dishes (not china!) - my mom's chemex. What's left of their old solid-wood furniture. That stuff has value to me - it was made differently - better quality, thicker, etc. Items that were part of pomp and circumstance used once or twice a year back then don't interest me.

nkrisc 6y ago
> Converelsy, what I have tried to instill in my parents as they downsize their belongings is that I want the practical stuff they used every day. Amen! The most useful thing my parents handed down to me was the dishes we used for my entire childhood. They're just pretty basic stoneware dishes made in the ol' US of A but they held up for 30 years, starting from before I was born up until I got my own place after college. Then I used them for the another 10 years, and apart from some chips on some of them, or not having a complete set due to the few that broke, they look like they could be only a few years old. It was kind of neat watching my son eat off the same plates that I ate off when I was his age. We eventually got some new plates but have the old ones packed away. I'm curious to see how long the new ones last, I don't know if they make them like they used to.
- sumtechguy 6y ago
  Corningware for me. That stuff is borderline indestructible. All the other stuff I have bought over the years is broken, chipped, etc. But that older corningware. Good stuff. Even the shape makes everything stack nice and compact. My mom and dad have gone thru 3 or 4 sets of other stuff. A couple of other sets for me. But this stuff...
  - CarbyAu 6y ago
    I too am a fan of Corningware. The shapes and weights suit me. It practically defines the concept of a bowl for me. But I note you said "borderline indestructible". Not just "indestructible". Which means I have found a fellow victim of ceramic shard explosion! They take a beating, but when they go, they go big!
    - sumtechguy 6y ago
      True story: My Aunt: "These are unbreakable" My Dad: "They look nice" My Aunt: "watch this" yeeets a casserole dish on the floor... It was quite the mess. The tea cups for me are hit or miss if they will survive. I think it has to do with the shape. Everything else is very tough.

Nasrudith 6y ago

I think they became worthless ironically because they were so treasured. Previously the good China may have had some special occasion remembered, some social importance where they would be brought out. Being so guarded they were never used and took up space and thus never acquired any memories for the newer generations, just being a social cargo cult tautology of valued because they were valued. Toys in the original unopened box may be worth more but that isn't why there was demand for them in the first place. Unless there is some sort of hilarious misprint, defect, or very questionable concept (accidentally looking very sexual, looking like a reference to some notorious event) thaf makes it a curiosity in itself, the toys were valued because of their use.

ip26 6y ago

you could use it every day and enjoy the quality That's the only road back I can see for silverware & china. Get people to actually use it. It really can be nice stuff- it's just pointless if it lives in a big case. (If it only lasts a year or three, there's plenty more where that came from)