Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-07-11

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, July 16, 2010

Asparagus Servers

These are the kind of pieces of sterling that I never get tired of. The details, the art, the design. I have shown Asparagus Servers before, but can you really ever see enough of them? Here are some more elegant pieces.

Shown in New Art by Durgin 10 inches

Shown in Regent by Durgin 10 inches

Shown in Chrysanthemum by Durgin 9 3/4 inches

Shown in English King by Tiffany 9/12 inches

Shown in Vine by Tiffany 9 3/4 inches

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Cocktail Forks

Here are a few examples of small Cocktail Forks which are found in most patterns.

Henry II by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

American Beauty by Shiebler (6 inches)

Hanover by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Louis XV by Durgin (5 3/4 inches)

Southern Grandeur by Easterling (5 5/8 inches)

Sherbert Servers

Remember Sherbert Forks, one of the place forks, well this is the serving piece, the Sherbert Server. Do not confuse this with a sorbet server. (Just as you would not confuse sherbet with sorbet. I'll show them later.) However, I could only find examples in two patterns. The Sherbert server has a sharp side to slice into the sherbert.

Shown in Mazarin by Dominik and Haff (9 inches)

Shown in Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham ( 8 1/4 inches)

Monday, July 12, 2010

Shamrock V by Gorham

This pattern reminds me of fine Irish linen. Note the elements on the edges of each piece is similar to the stitching on a piece of Irish linen. This is truly a unique pattern and well named. It was designed by Barton P. Jenks for Gorham and manufactured from 1931-1991.

French Hollow Knife (8 5/8 inches)