Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-05-09

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, May 14, 2010

Tea Infuser Spoons

Before the days of tea bags when one wanted an individual cup of freshly brewed tea, there was the Tea Infuser Spoon. The hinged opening allowed one to open it, pour the loose tea in it, then close it and place the spoon in a cup of very hot water. As you gently stir the spoon, the tea is "infused" in the water. Some designs are oval shaped and some are ball shaped.

(Shown in Mayflower by Coin 5 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Monticello by Lunt 6 1/4 inches)

(Shown in Wedding Rose by Watson 5 7/8 inches)

(Shown in La Perle by Reed and Barton 7 inches)

Shown in Carolina by Lunt 5 3/4 inches

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Baby Spoons (Straight Handle)

Most patterns place pieces for children, both baby and junior sizes, with the "baby" sizes being the smaller of the two. Baby Spoons shown here, are straight handled. They also come in a "curved" or "bent" handle style. Often sterling patterns would offer spoons in both styles, straight and bent. (I'll post on the bent style at a later date.)

Most the spoons have a more rounded but oval bowl and a short handle. They tend to be between 3 1/2 and 4 5/8 inches long.

(Shown in Amaryllis by Manchester 4 5/8 inches)

(Shown in Lansdowne by Gorham 4 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Repousse by Kirk 3 3/4 inches)

(Shown in Spring Glory by International 4 1/4 inches)

Monday, May 10, 2010

Grande Baroque By Wallace

A design by William Warren, said to take 4 years to complete. The top of the piece is an Acanthus leaf and below that is a sophisticated pattern of beautiful flowers and leaves. The forks have narcissus in their design, the knives a rose, and five petaled flowers can be seen on the spoons. His inspiration was the romance of the 16th century. It is one of the patterns called "three dimensional" because the designs can be seen from three sides: the front, back, and from the side.

Master Butter (6 3/4 inches)

Hooded Asparagus Server (10 inches)

Grapefruit Spoon