Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-02-21

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, February 26, 2010

Bar Spoon

The Bar Spoon - I assuming its name says it all.

(Shown in Chrysanthemum by Tiffany 9 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Royal Danish by International 12 1/2 inches)

Large Bar Spoon in the Royal Danish (sterling,hollowware) pattern by International Silver

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Fruit Knife

The Fruit Knife, like other knives, came in solid and hollow handle. Both are shown here. It interesting, like with the spoons, some patterns differentiate between different fruit. For example here in Imperial Queen by Whiting there is a Fruit Knife and an Orange Knife, which are clearly two different pieces of silver.

(Fruit knife shown in Louis XV by Whiting 6 inches)

(Fruit Knife shown in Imperial Queen by Whiting 6 inches)

(Orange Knife shown in Imperial Queen by Whiting 6 1/2 inches)

(Fruit Knife shown in Blackberry Vine by Tiffany 7 3/4 inches serrated)

(Fruit Knife shown in Blossom by Dominick and Haff 6 3/4 inche serrated)

Monday, February 22, 2010

Georgian by Towle

Georgian was introduced in 1889 and is still in production. It was originally called "Grecian", probably because of the Greek column design that is the base feature of the pattern. Roses are used throughout the pattern and a floral swag can be seen elegantly draped across the top of the column, as if in celebration. The detail in Georgian is unique and displayed on both sides of the handle.

(Individual Steak Knife 8 1/2 inches)

(Butter Spreader 6 1/8 inches)

(Lemon Fork 5 1/8 inches)

(Teaspoon 5 6/8 inches)

(Oyster Fork 6 inches)