Things to Consider in Designing a Silver Storage Chest
The Amount of Silver
This determines the size and design of the chest. All presently owned and all future acquisitions should be listed.
The Type of Blocking
This also helps determine the size of the silverchest.
Universal Blocking is where the silver stacks and is held in the middle.
Canteen Blocking is where the silver lays on its side and is held individually in the middle.
Double Canteen Blocking is where the silver lays on its side and is held individually with blocking at the ends.
Contour Blocking is where the silver stacks and is held at its ends by blocking that is cut to fit its shape. All the stacks are even with the top of the blocking.
The Type of Chest
The imagination is the only impediment to the type of furniture that can be used or built to store silver. From existing kitchen, china closet or breakfront drawers, blocked and lined, to a newly-built piece of furniture custom-built for your silver. Obviously, the more silver you have, the larger the chest will need to be.
The Type of Wood
Almost any type of wood can be used, though the most widely used wood is Honduran Mahogany. It is stable, affordable, easily worked, and extremely attractive. It accepts any kind of finish and is lightweight.
The Color and Finish of The Wood
With modern and ancient chemistry, the choices are endless. Various shades of browns, reds, and blacks are the most widely used. Again, the decor dominates this choice.
A fine piece of furniture must be sealed, inside and out if the joinery is to be stable. We prefer a nitrocellulose lacquer in either satin or hand-rubbed mirror finish.
The Type and Color of Cloth
If silver is used once a week, the tarnish-resistant qualities of Pacific and Hagerty-Blue cloths are reduced; the silver will have to be polished at least twice a year. However, if the silver is to be stored, these cloths are a necessity. When desired, synthetic Ultrasuede or Doesuede in any color can be used.