What to do about this present?

[BertrandRussell]

I’m interested in antiques, and like buying little things as presents- guilt free shopping. I bought a little silver thing for a present recently, and it’s become obvious that the person really likes it and is using it but doesn’t realise it’s solid silver and an antique. It didn’t cross my mind that they wouldn’t notice the hall mark even if they didn’t know what they meant. It only cost about the same as we would spend for an adult present in my circle of friends so not much. But not knowing it’s solid silver and 100 years old makes me look like a bit of a cheapskate. I can’t say anything, can I? -

I like the suggestion from @ilovecatsiloveeverykindofcat
Give them a silver polishing cloth and say something like “I know solid silver can be a pita to clean, I saw this and thought of you” then you can maybe Segway into the age of it too.

If I were the recipient I think I would appreciate a gentle hint just in case I wasn't aware of the true history (and value) of such a thoughtful gift.

Another one that’s over-invested and utterly baffled.

Presumably the item had no packaging or labels pointing to its being new?
Is there an issue with it being used - inappropriate for modern-day use, fragile etc?

It sounds like a thoughtful gift btw.

My guess is a cake slice

Glad it's not just me ChippyMinton!

I'd give a silver cloth and say something like "because it's silver and an antique you'll need to occasionally give it a rub with this. Lovely that you use it so much."

Cake slice sounds very plausible. I was imagining some sort of goblet but I think cake slice is more likely!

Cruet
Butter knife
Candlestick
Little dish
Toast rack
Spoon - serving, or sugar for e.g
Egg cup

Actually I have never seen a silver egg cup.

Napkin ring

I assumed it was a ring...I doubt they would be wearing a cake slice. There is a lot of silver in a cake slice.
Perhaps Bertrand will tell us what it is BUT it might be too outing .

Now this is the second episode of the panel show!

All very plausible too TheRedBarrows.

Still don't understand how using any of them implies that the recipient doesn't know they are a silver antique.

And if not food related:

Ring / bangle
Thimble
Letter opener
Little mirror

They're using it as an ashtray?

Is it bad that I really want this to be the case

Chamber pot
Tea pot
Cocktail shaker
Candlestick

I so want it to be a chamber pot. And they are unaware of what it is so are using it as a soup tureen.

I was imagining it being a silver gravy boat for some reason

Silver goblet used as a penis beaker.

Silver goblet used as a penis beaker

You win!

I think some people might feel a bit icky about the age of something that they eat from and stop using it assuming they've washed it and didn't just blow the cobwebs out the way...

I'd def go with a
"I do love seeing X being used, it's so weird to think it's 100 years old"
"it's 100 years old??"
"yes, doesn't silver keep amazingly well!"

I think anything along the lines of 'aren't antiques super?' 'here's a silver cleaning cloth 'cos you know it's SILVER.' 'Who'd have thought something so old could be so funky?' or whatever would make you sound like a mad tit.

Since she likes it so much you could say 'I got it in Acorn Antiques - you should check them out they've got loads of nice bits' (this might be mad tit territory too though - having read the thread I've lost all persepective )

If it's silver then it will need polishing sooner or later, then she will realise it's not stainless steel. Unless she is likely to damage it without realising then I would just wait.

Tea strainer

I wouldn't say anything. The fact that the friend likes it should be enough.

You may also find yourself getting into people's differing thoughts on 'lovely antique' vs 'icky and pre-used'.

I am sure Bert knows her friend well enough to know whether she suffers from any antique-averse icky vapours.

But tbh probably not well enough to see that the item is in use as a penis beaker.