Recycled Handles

The Kovels travel to England to meet Nicholas Santer, who converts old silver, ivory and bone handles from things like eating utensils and umbrellas into useful contemporary items such as magnifying glasses, razors and more.

Clearly hallmarked, the sterling-silver handle on this magnifying glass is of English origin.

English silver has been hallmarked since 1354 with marks that are cataloged in reference books so that they are easily traceable. The first mark is a date letter, indicating the exact age of a piece. A lion mark indentifies the silver as English. A crown mark indentifies the town in which the piece was crafted, and the fourth mark is reserved to identify the maker.

This staghorn-handled magnifying glass with antique English silver mounts is priced around $45.

The handle on this looking glass is an antelope or gazelle horn. The piece is priced at $100.

The handles are scavenged from many sources, including old-looking glasses and antique cutlery, then adapted for more contemporary use such as this mother-of-pearl handle mounted to a disposable razor. It sells for approximately $40.

This mother-of-pearl handle mounted to a looking glass caught Terry's eye. It's more than 100 years old, handcarved and priced at about $42.

The brass handles seen here were salvaged from antique fireplace implements.

The handle of this magnifying glass is made from sterling silver and ivory that's 100 years old. You can tell the ivory is real by looking at the grain. Another trick to authenicating ivory is to hold it to your face. Real ivory will always feel cold.

Resources
Portobello Road Antiques Market
Portobello Road Antiques Market
London, England
E-mail: info@portobelloroad.co.uk
Website: www.portobelloroad.co.uk/
Guests
Nicholas Santer
Collector/Dealer, London International Silver Company
PO Box 17
Hampton, London TW12 2XQ
Phone: 144 020 8979 1010
E-mail: lis@notjustsilver.com
Website: notjustsilver.com
Also in this Episode

Flea Market Finds With The Kovels : Episode FMF-205
•	Pickle Castors
•	Toasters
•	Pie Safes
•	Griswold Iron Pans
•	Recycled Handles
•	Vintage Radios
•	What's It?