Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-07-18

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 23, 2010

Sorbet Servers

Here are the Sorbet Servers. They are similar in size to the Sherbert servers, however they have more a scoop shape and a elegant shape to them. All the examples I could find were in Tiffany patterns.

Shown in Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (9 1/8 inches)

Shown in Persian by Tiffany (9 inches)

Shown in Richelieu by Tiffany (8 1/2 inches)

Shown in Vine by Tiffany

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Baby Spoons (Bent Handle)

Like the straight handled baby spoons, these Bent Handled Baby Spoons are found in many patterns. I would think that most older ones would be monogrammed, which to me only adds to the beauty of the piece.

Doris by International (3 5/8 inches)

El Grandee by Towle ( 3 3/4 inches)

Eloquence by Lunt (3 1/2 inches)

Georgian by Towle ( 3 1/2 inches)

Hyperion by Whiting ( 3 7/8 inches)

***Note the Cat in the Bowl of this Piece

Sir Christopher by Wallace (3 1/2 inches)

Monday, July 19, 2010

Strawberry by Tiffany

Strawberry, a beautiful pattern introduced by Tiffany in 1875. There is another pattern by Tiffany called Blackberry which is very similar but with a blackberry motif. You often see the two mentioned together. In typical Tiffany detail this pattern has exquisite profile of three strawberries on the end of each piece with the handle fashioned as an intricate twisted vine. Some pieces are decorated with leaves.

(Berry Spoon clam shell 9 inches)

(Strawberry fork)

(Pastry Server)

(Sugar Tongs)

(Berry Spoon with ruffled bowl 8 3/4 inches)

(Fruit Serving Spoon shown in the Blackberry pattern 9 1/2 inches)