Topic: curiosity

[NMott]

My aunty used to collect mercury glass - sometimes called Fairings because they were sold/won at Victorian fairs. One tip she passed on, is never wash them in warm soapy water or the silver will wash off. Unfortunately my dad was never one to listen to his sister....and the silver washed off. 

[dirk.]

I think those candleholders etc. are usually sealed to avoid this.
We visited a factory which produced christmas decorations on our trip to Czech Republic two years ago.
Quite interesting effect - seeing the bauble turn silver / reflecting within seconds.

[Ivo]

The better quality ones from bohemia are closed with a circular piece of mirror. Lesser quality has a paper sticker over the hole. These pieces are always cold enameled as a firing is not possible - so any type of wash will kill them.

[ttttootall]

More discussion here...http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,51348.msg291206.html#msg291206