Thai Brass Dinnerware

Three tray chest with 80 pieces of magnificent Thai brass dinnerware, with inlaid polished teak handles. Bought in Bangkok in 1967. Contributed to Vietnam veterans group (Tan Son Nhut Assc.) to assist in purchase of new printer. Asking $500 for set. Offers will be considered. Bob Need, MSgt., USAF (Ret.)

Bob I'm afraid you might not get your asking price. There are loads of these sets about and I see them constantly at local swap meets and garage sales. They usually fetch anywhere from $15 to $45. I was given a set myself in the 60's which I finally sold about 3 years ago for I believe, $25.

Thank you very much, Elizabeth. I established my 'asking price' on the basis of a discussion with a gentleman who is in international trading programs in Southeast Asia, especially Bangkok. He was of the same opinion as you were, to begin with, but when he saw pictures of several of the pieces he suggested prices within the range I finally chose. He also suggested that I put this set away for a few years, and could eventually ask for much more. Elizabeth, if you, or anyone else would like to see the pictures. Please let me know. They take are .tif and take a few moments to download. Thanks again, Elizabeth for your interest. Bob Need, Tan Son Nhut Assc. Pub. Affairs

Unless your set is not like the ordinary ones, they are quite common with either wooden or bone handles. Do a search on eBay for 'siam flatware', there will be plenty of them to check values. They are actually bronze, not brass, brass wouldn't hold an edge.

D Thompson served: Unless your set is not like the ordinary ones, they are quite common with either wooden or bone handles. Do a search on eBay for 'siam flatware', there will be plenty of them to check values. They are actually bronze, not brass, brass wouldn't hold an edge. DT

(*<~ That's all very correct and I'd like to add that the bronze serving pieces (and dinnerware) will turn 'some' foods 'sour' when left in the serving bowl (dish).

Doug ~>*(((>< Big fish eat Little fish ><))*<~

I tried to thank you by replying to your reply to me. It came back. Thank you, anyway, for your interest and comments. I found one on e-bay (bronze and rosewood, 3 trays) that is exactly like mine. The bidding was already over $60. I'm getting very confused. But, thanks, again! Bob Need, Tan Son Nhut Assc.

Bob Current prices and trends on anything change constantly and can be confusing. However the pieces you have are really quite common and came in several different styles. I did a quick ebay search for you looking under bronze flatware, brass flatware etc and came up with about 10 sets resembling (probably) yours. There is a set of over 100 pieces with chest right now offered for $75 and with no bids and one hour to go. Then there's another set under 'bronze' flatware which might sway bidders into thinking it was unusual or special which has 7 bids and is up to $61. (Great advertising obviously helps) I actually think they are not brass but some kind of bronze or mixed metals. I do know they leave a taste in some foods and discolour horribly with others. I remember we used ours once and then decided to get rid of it quickly. Took us many years to finally unload it. In the last few years of going to local swap meets - and that in a very small area, I have seen tons of these sets and they don't sell easily since I used to see the same vendors with them month after month when I was able to go out. With a serious back problem unfortunately I am not now able to leave the house, but regarding these sets, I doubt anything has changed very much. You could try placing it on ebay and see what happens but I doubt very much you will reach anywhere near your previous asking price. I fully appreciate your reasons for wishing to get as much as you can for it however. The lady who originally gave me my set, brought it back after she had been singing with a group to entertain troups in Viet Nam. She also dumped the set she kept for herself. I am not a dealer and by no means an expert - just like antiques and old stuff but I 'have' seen many of these old sets over the years. My best advice is that you take it to a knowledgeable dealer for an informed opinion. Thank you for alerting me to my email not working. Seems that my other email address with verizon is not working either according to error messages I am now receiving. Hopefully they and I can fix it at some point today.

Thanks again, Elizabeth. You people are all very kind on this website. I spent a year in Vietnam (Tet '68), and while there bought a lot of brass things, bells, letter openers, etc. They were all very inexpensive. So, thanks again, I think I'll take this set to a local outlet and see what they can do. Bob Need, USAF

Hello Bob,

When my father was involved in VVA, they had good luck doing raffles for their fundraisers. I know exactly the sort of flatware set that you speak of, my dad has one too. Almost everyone I met through his involvement with VVA had a set too. Being an antiques dealer myself, I know that these sets like others have said don't have a lot of value on the open market. I think the items are more valued by the Veterans and their families. My dad purchased many, many things during his two tours 68 and 69, right down to my mothers wedding rings. Having been exposed to these items all my life I find them fascinating. The 'real' market for this sort of item is probably among Vietnam Vets, their spouses and children. I wish you well your fundraising efforts, and thank you for serving our country during an unpopular war.

Kind Regards,

Thank you for the extremely kind remarks, Jessica. Will do. Bob Need