Richelieu by Tuttle

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?

Monday, March 15, 2010

Richelieu by Tuttle

This pattern was introduced in 1935 by International which was later bought by Tuttle, so your older pieces may have the International silver marks on them, while the newer pieces will say Tuttle. This design represents the abundant style reminiscent of French and Italian furnishings. You can see an acanthus leaf in the heavy detail. These elements were a liberation from the years of the plain art deco patterns of the 1920s. The pattern was discontinued in 1996.