Origin of Butler Finish

NZ Truth, Issue 1212, 21 February 1929, Page 18

Origin of Butler Finish

THE term "Butler finish" applied to the interior metal finish, on en- ■ closed car fitments has an interesting origin. This ultra-smart silver surface used for the hardware of certain motor-cars is a heritage from the servant of olden times m England. ■ In the olden days, butlers and other servants of the large estates and. palaces m England took great pride m their work. One of the true tests of a butler's worth was the polish, or lack of it, to be found on the table silver. . „ The butlers of the large establishments worked.long and hard polishing the knives, forks, and' spoons .with which their master dined. The silver was handed down from generation to generation, and tno continual polishing developed a dull but noble finish. There was no shine, but a rich, dull surface. The result was the creation by silverware manufacturers of.'.a "butler finish,", which "gives to the silver the- soft dull tone, corresponding. to;the finish of silver after innumerable polishings. ■ " : ' . : .:;