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

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, November 12, 2010

Chocolate Spoon

Only the Victorians and their sweet tooth would have a sterling silver Chocolate Spoon at each place, in addition to the 5 piece place setting dedicated to the decadent desert. From I can glean from my research, this piece was designed to serve hot fudge, melted chocolate (including white chocolate) when passed for desert.

Lily by Whiting (4 inches)

La Parisienne by Reed and Barton (4 1/4 inches)

Adolphus by Mount Vernon (3 3/4 inches)

Empire by Durgin ( 4 1/8 inches)

Jeanne d'arc by International ( 3 3/4 inches)

Raleigh by Alvin (4 5/8 inches)

Number 10 by Dominick and Haff

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Asparagus Server 2

More Asparagus Servers. Some are hooded, some not.

Shown Wave Edge by Tiffany (9 3/4 inches)

Shown in Elegante by Reed and Barton

Shown in Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (9 3/4 inches)

Shown in La Splendide by Reed and Barton (9 1/2 inches)

Shown in Violet by Wallace (10 inches)

Monday, November 8, 2010

Heraldic by Durgin

The pattern, Heraldic, introduced by Durgin in 1888 should not be confused with Whiting's 1888 pattern of the same name. Durgin's pattern features a handle with a dimensional Knight's helmet surrounded by an ornate design.

Poached Egg Server (9 3/4 inches)

Server-Poached Egg/solid Piece

Cracker Spoon (7 3/4 inches)

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Berry Spoon (8 1/2 inches)