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?

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Cake Serving Fork

Cake Serving Forks are rare and not found in many patterns. Most that I could find were in patterns by Wallace, International, Reed and Barton, and Jesen among others. They are very ornate and lovely pieces. Some silver companies will call the same utensil the Cake Serving Fork or Cold Meat fork while others have separate pieces. The Cake Serving Fork tends to have long slender tines.


(Shown in Majestic by Reed and Barton 8 3/8 inches)

Cake Serving Fork

(Shown in La Reine by Reed and Barton 8 1/8 inches)

Cake Serving Fork

(Shown in Lexington by JB & SM Knowles 9 1/2 inches)


Fork-Cake/serving

(Shown in Waverly by Wallace 9 inches)


Cake Serving Fork in the Waverly (sterling, 1890, No Monograms) pattern by Wallace Silver





Thursday, February 11, 2010

Preserve and Jelly Spoons

Most patterns had Jelly Spoons in two sizes, both basically of the same shape, often having a shell shaped bowl. Some displayed slightly pointed tips. The larger may be referred to as a Preserve Spoon with the smaller being called a Jelly spoon. But sometimes they are both called Jelly Spoons, just the large Jelly Spoon and the small Jelly Spoon.

A few patterns had Honey Spoons, which were really a jelly spoon with a pointed tip that the manufacturer stated was designed to cut into the honey comb. Other patterns referred to their jelly spoons as Marmalade Spoons. Once again, this was an example of the manufacturers using different names for the same utensil.



(Preserve spoon shown in Narranganset by Gorham)


(Preserve Spoon Shown in  Hanover by Gorham 7 7/8 inches)

Preserve Spoon

(Large Jelly Spoon shown in Lotus by Gorham 7 3/4 inches)

Large Jelly Spoon




(Jelly Spoon shown in Chrysanthemum by Gorham)

Large Bright Cut Jelly Spoon

(Honey Spoon shown in Louis XV by Whiting)


Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Corsage by Kirk

First issued in 1935, Corsage is a Repousse type pattern (meaning "raised in relief") which Kirk was famous for. The pattern features orchids, other flowers, and leaves.



(Place Fork 7  inches)

P0000047732S0213T2.jpg (600×87)

(Cream Soup Spoon 6 1/2 Inches)

P0000047732S0189T2.jpg (600×169)

(Small Berry Spoon 8 1/4 inches)

P0000047732S0154T2.jpg (600×206)

(Pie and Cake Server 10 1/4 inches)

P0000047732S0118T2.jpg (600×137)