Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-10-10

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, October 15, 2010

Bacon Fork

Once again this is a piece I touched on earlier. The Bacon Fork is a unique piece with its short tines and wide bowl attached to the stem.

Bridal Bouquet by Alvin (7 1/2 inches)

Jenny Lind by Weidlich (6 3/4 inches)

King by Kirk Stieff (7 1/4 inches)

Lady Claire by Kirk Stieff (8 1/4 inches)

Crescendo By Amston (8 inches)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Baked Potato Fork

I addressed the utility of this piece earlier (See December 2, 209). Here are some examples in different patterns.

American Beauty by Shiebler

Baltimore Rose by Schofield (7 1/2 inches)

Heraldic by Whiting (7 1/2 inches)

Irian by Wallace (7 1/8 inches)

Talisman Rose by Frank Whiting (7 1/8 inches)

Versailles by Gorham (6 7/8 inches)

Monday, October 11, 2010

He Loves Me by Unger

I could not find anything about this pattern save it was introduced by Unger in 1904. However, it is a beautiful Unger pattern in the Art Nouveau style with a ladies face in detail with flowers. The stem is decorated with a ribbon that crosses as it goes down the stem.

Fork
Fork

Demitasse Spoon