Q. I have some plates with 2 inches of 22 K gold around the border. Three dealers have told me the plates in themselves are of no antique value but if you could remove the gold there could be some value. I was wondering if you knew of a method of removal. If you think it’s a waste of time, I will simply put them in the trash. They have been sitting around for quite a while.

A. Gold edged dinnerware has been around since the early 18th century. Back then only royalty and the wealthy had dinnerware of any kind. One of the most famous collections is called “Flora Danica”  (“Flowers of Denmark”) which was commissioned by the Danish Royal Household as a gift for Tsarina Catherina II (Catherine the Great) of Russia. The set was all hand painted, with no two pieces alike and gilded with gold dust mixed with linseed oil, varnish or honey and fixed by firing it at a very low temperature. The pattern is still reproduced (with modern techniques) and is the most expensive dinnerware you could buy. One dinner plate sells for $1,600.

Gold edged dinnerware today is still made with real gold but it is painted on in a thin layer or electroplated. In addition, it probably has a clear coat glaze over it. The only way to remove it is to try to scrape it off. After what will most likely be hours of work, you will have only a couple of dollars worth of gold. It hardly seems worth the trouble. If the plates are in good condition you could donate them. If not, into the trash they go.

Karen Waterman is a fine art, antique furniture and decorative arts appraiser in the East Bay area and will answer as many questions regarding your “hidden treasures” as possible. By sending a letter or email with a question you give full permission for use in the column. Names, addresses or e-mail  will not be published and photos will be returned if requested. Send e-mails (digital photos preferred) to trashortreasure@ymail.com. Send snail mail to East Bay Newspapers, Attn. Karen Waterman, PO. Box 90, Bristol, RI 02809.