Hizen by Gorham

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, June 28, 2010

Hizen by Gorham

The Gorham Company's multi-motif Hizen pattern was introduced in 1880 and patented in 1893, and features a multi-motif incorporating the Japanese influence popular at that time. The design is an aquatic theme using sea life together with foliage and fruit to put together a fantastic world. The definitions given in some of the silver catalogs rival those given to some of the floats in the annual Festival of Roses Parade in Pasadena each New Years day. The detail of each piece is stunning. If you keep looking you will continue to find something you didn't see before. It may be a dragon fly, or a strawberry or a bird in addition to all the sea life. The pieces are truly three dimensional.

Clam Shell Berry Spoon