The Story Behind this Blog

Being from the South, Silver is a very big part of my life. It doesn't have anything to do with wealth. Although those with more money - old money, tend to have more of it. New money tend not to spend their money on Silver. They do not have the appreciation for the warmth of the metal, the beauty of the patina, the story it tells of the generations past who have used it. A true southern girl comes of age when she chooses her silver pattern, long before she chooses her mate. If she is smart, she chooses that of her mother, grandmother, or favorite great aunt who in their benevolence will pass their silver on to her. It is the pieces in those sets, the pieces on our tables, along with the pieces we find in the corners of the displays in antique stores that prompted me to start this blog. They are beautiful, they are odd, but what are they, and what in the hell do you do with them?

Friday, December 31, 2010

Sardine Tong

In looking into Sardine pieces, I found this rare piece - a Sardine Tong - who knew? Here are so more examples of this quirky utensil.


 Edgewood by International (5 3/4 inches)





Lafayette by Towle ( 5 3/8 inches) 





Old Newbury By Towle (5 inches)






Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Bird Fork (Part II)

I touched on the Bird Fork , or sometimes referred to as the "Game" fork last year. Here are some more examples of this piece that is a relic of past times.


Decor by Gorham (7 inches)



Flora by Reed and Barton (& 5/8 inches)



Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (7 1/4 inches)



Chantilly by Gorham
Individual 3 Stainless Prong Bird For


Marquis by Tiffany


Individual 3-Prong Silverplate Bird F




Virginiana by Gorham (7 inches)




Monday, December 27, 2010

Cambridge by Gorham

As I mentioned before, this pattern has two names. In Gorham, it is known as Cambridge and was introduced in 1899. However, the same pattern is known as English Rose by Durgin.











Three Tine Pickle Fork (5  7/8 inches)
Pickle Fork




Nut Spoon (4 1/2 inches)
Nut Spoon


Pate Knife (5 7/8 inches)
Pate Knife


Jelly Trowel (8 inches)
Jelly Trowel



Friday, December 24, 2010

Spinach Serving Fork (Part II)

A while back, I mentioned the Spinach Serving Fork, but I did not give many examples of the piece. Because of its length and design, it can be an odd piece - one perhaps that would not be easily recognized if you were to come upon it in the back of the silver drawer.

Bridal Rose by Alvin (7 1/2 inches)



Madam Jumel by Whiting (6 3/4 inches)



Decor by Gorham (7 3/8 inches)



Heraldic by Whiting (7 1/2 inches)

Burgundy by Reed and Barton (7 1/4 inches)



Georgian by Towle (7 1/4 inches)


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Marrow Scoop (Part II)

Marrow Scoops (or spoons). I mentioned this piece last year, but only showed one example. It is odd utensil that we don't have an everyday use for any more. The fatty marrow from cooked beef and lamb bones being seen as a fine delicacy. Hood comments that Tiffany only had this piece in possibly nine of their patterns. The thought being that servants would scoop the marrow from the bones for the diners.

Broom Corn by Tiffany (9 inches)


Old Colonial by Towle (5 1/2 inches)


Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (8 3/4 inches)

Monday, December 20, 2010

Holly by Tiffany

This festive pattern, Holly,  by Tiffany was introduced in 1895. There is another pattern by Tiffany called Holly and Mistletoe. The difference is slight,  Holly has berries on the stem. However, both patterns are described as "not-full-line" patterns, meaning they are generally just serving pieces. Holly consists of 16 pieces and Holly and Mistletoe, only 6. Pieces in both patterns are both hard to find and expensive.





Two Tine Pickle Fork (7 inches)
Pickle Fork


Hors d'oeuvre Pick (5 1/8  inches)
(Often confused as a Sardine Fork, however this has 7 tines, while a Sardine Fork only has 6)
Hors  d' oeuvre  Pick


Teaspoon (6 1/8 inches)
Teaspoon


Short Handled Olive Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Short Olive Spoon With Pierced Bowl


Bon Bon Scoop (3 3/4 inches)
tiffany holly bon bon spoon


Pierced Olive Spoon 6 inches)
tiffany holly olive spoon


Jelly Server




Friday, December 17, 2010

Crumb Knives - Revisted (3) part 9/22

When I first looked at these Crumb Knives, I was amazed at how valuable they were. Now I am amazed at how elaborate some of them are.

Bird by Wendt (11 1/8 inches)


Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (13 3/4 inches)


Eglantine by Gorham


Grecian by Whiting (12 1/2 inches)


Hindostanee by Gorham (13 inches)


Imperial Queen by Whiting (10 3/4 inches)




Meadow by Gorham


Macaroni Knife

I have posted about the Macaroni Server and the Macaroni Fork, but this is the Macaroni Knife.


Eighteen Ten by International (8 1/4 inches)



Lady Hilton by Westmoreland (8 3/4 inches)



Mary Chilton by Towle (8 1/4 inches)



Mary II by Lunt (8 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Cherry Forks (Part II)

In an earlier post I discussed Cherry Forks. Here are some more beautiful examples.


Les Cinq Fleurs by Reed and Barton (3 3/4 inches)

Yetive by Mount Vernon (3 3/4 inches)

Hepplewhite (2 tine) by Reed and Barton (4 1/4 inches)



Monday, December 13, 2010

Ailanthus by Tiffany

The Ailanthus pattern was designed by Burnett Tiffany and introduced by The Tiffany Company in 1899. The pattern became inactive in 1908 and obsolete in 1934. It is the naturalism style. It has been referred to (incorrectly) as "Ailantus" and "Atlantas". It is a very ornate pattern with the design being on the front and back of the handle.

Fork (6 3/4 inches)
Regular Fork

Flat handle master Butter Spreader (7 inches)
FH Master Butter

Pickle Fork (6 inches)
Pickle Fork

Fruit Fork (2 tine) (6 inches)
Fruit Fork

Ice Cream Slice (11 3/8 inches)
Ice Cream Slice

Saratoga Chip Server (9 inches)
Saratoga Chip Server