Let's Talk About Pottery & Collectables

Collectables => Metalware & Metalwork => Topic started by: antiquerose123 on May 10, 2008, 09:43:34 AM

Title: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: antiquerose123 on May 10, 2008, 09:43:34 AM

Hi, I have these.  They seem old, and made of lead.  They have had a bit of a *rough* life, but might clean up some.  When I tried to do some research, I did find this....http://www.goantiques.com/detail,lead-grapes-leaf,1599132.html

I think they look the same (in my opinion)....any other info (?)

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: Anne on May 10, 2008, 01:20:23 PM

Looks like a match Rose. :)  The EP I think means Electro-Plated.

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: antiquerose123 on May 12, 2008, 04:57:57 AM

I was wondering -- isn't lead dangerous, as you hear about lead in paint?  If, so -- are these (poss) or (not) as desirable as a collectible?  Just wondering?

Here in Canada there is talk about lead in toys -- yet, I also saw somewhere (e-bay--I think) those old lead toy soldiers that command high prices.  So what is the Good, or bad about these? 

I want to be around to post more topics, I hope...  :huh:

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: chopin-liszt on May 12, 2008, 12:41:23 PM

 :hlp:

Lead is extremely toxic. Do not use these under any circumstances!

I think one of the pros (good-s) is that they should have been made before it was realised that lead is toxic, so that should help verify their age.
I didn't know lead got electroplated!
Cruets (including salt and pepper sets) are a collectable in their own right - there's a huge following.

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: Anne on May 12, 2008, 04:30:21 PM

Sue is right Rose, lead is poisonous so not to be used for food now. That's why pewter was changed as that had (and early stuff still has of course) a lead content.

I may be wrong about the EP meaning electro-plated - it's just something dingling at the back of my over-crowded mind somewhere. :)

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: chopin-liszt on May 12, 2008, 04:54:35 PM

 :*:

EP does mean electro-plated quite definitely, - EPNS stands for electro-plated nickel silver.

I've just never heard of it in a lead context. But I know very little about (precious) metals, particularly as far as collectable stuff is concerned.

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: Anne on May 13, 2008, 02:44:42 AM

I had a wee Google (is that legal I wonder?! :24:) after your post Sue and it seems that lead can be electroplated. I found some patents for the process and some modern firms who do it for various things so I imagine it was done for fancy goods as well. I wish I could find a reference that proved it though.   :-\ I'll keep looking.

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: Sue C on May 13, 2008, 09:24:10 AM

From Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroplating

Title: Re: Lead Salt & Pepper Shakers
Post by: antiquerose123 on May 14, 2008, 05:23:02 PM

Old toys were made of lead.  I used to have as a kid, some lead toy soldiers too.

Ebay 250246204301   

I have put the lead Salt & Pepper shakers in a plastic baggie ir order to handle...

So, since lead is toxic -- and they use to make these....I guess it is a sort of weird collectible.....for looking at, not touching...