Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-04-04

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, April 9, 2010

Long Iced Tea Spoon

Most Iced Tea Spoons are between 7 and 8 1/2 inches long. However, the Iced Tea Spoon in Louis XV by Whiting is 9 1/8 inches. I also found reference to an Iced Tea Spoon in the same pattern that was 7 1/4 inches, and in his book, Sterling Silver Flatware, Richard Osterberg states that this pattern also has the shortest Iced Tea Spoon at 6 3/4 inches.

(Shown in Louis XV by Whiting 9 1/8 inches)

Extra Long Handle Iced Tea Spoon in the Louis Xv (sterling, 1891, No Monograms) pattern by Whiting Divisn-Silvr

(Shown in Blossom by Jensen 7 inches)

(Shown in Pynchon by Lunt 7 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Harlequin by Reed and Barton 7 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Poached Egg Server

Elegant pieces in ornate patterns.

(Shown in Waverly by Wallace 9 5/8 inches)

(Shown in Heraldic by Durgin Silver)

Monday, April 5, 2010

Hester Bateman by Wallace

Inspired by the work of the famous lady silversmith (1709-1794) of the same name. An exclusive pattern with finely detailed beading. This pattern was formerly made by C.J. Vander of London, and is now a Wallace Silversmiths pattern.

Hester Bateman was best known for her sugar bowls, tea urns, trays, salvers and dishes. Lifetime Sterling describes the pattern as a "versatile pattern from Wallace's prestigious English Sterling Collection is finely crafted of heavier weight sterling silver in the larger Continental size. The delicate beaded border surrounds a central panel embellished with an intricate teardrop underscored by three fleur de lis, lending graceful elegance to traditional and contemporary table settings alike and every dining occasion from family meals to festive affairs."

(Teaspoon 5 7/8 inches)

(Cream Soup Spoon 6 3/4 inches)