Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-04-11

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 16, 2010

Jelly Knife

The Jelly Knife was designed to slice and serve jelly - everything from aspics, to clear fruit jellies, to Jello. A few patterns would have 2 or 3 different size jelly knives. Also, some patterns have aspic servers as well as jelly knives. They range in length from 7 to 9 inches.

Chrysanthemum by Durgin (7 1/2 inches)

Georgian by Towle (7 3/4 inches)

Japanese by Tiffany (9 inches)

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Nut Shovel

I could find few references to the Nut Shovel and fewer examples. Baltimore Rose must have been one of the few patterns that had the piece because it was used as an example several times. Unlike the spoons and scoops, the shovel is flat.

(Shown in Baltimore Rose by Schofield 4 3/8 inches)

(Shown in Eton by Wallace 5 1/8 inches)

Monday, April 12, 2010

Spring Bouquet by International

The catalog states: "Truly, here is a design in which the artist has captured the fresh and sparkling beauty of a lovely spring morning. Dainty tendrils and tiny blossoms festooned around a shimmering center panel form an ideal shield for the monogram . . . an exquisite pattern that will appeal to the most discriminating taste."

A very simple pattern with a bouquet fashioned in the middle of the handle.

(French Hollow Handle Knife 9 1/4 inches )

(Fork 7 7/8 inches)

(Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork 7 3/4 inches)

(Solid Smooth Casserole Spoon 9 1/8 inches)