Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-11-14

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 19, 2010

Strawberry Forks - Two Tines

Strawberry Forks come in two different types - the two tine variety and the three tine variety. Here are some examples of two tine forks. As you can tell Strawberry Forks are shorter forks (generally 3 3/4 to 4 3/4 inches). The tines are very long and slender and almost take up a third of the utensil. The long tines make for an elegant piece.

Alvin by International (4/5/8 inches)

King by Dominick and Haff ( 4 1/4 inches)

Strawberry Vine by Tiffany (4 /12 inches)

Versailles by Gorham (Also in three tines)

Argo by Knowles ( 4 1/4 inches)

Zodiac by Gorham (3 3/4 inches)

Lourve by Wallace (4 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Cocktail Forks (Part II)

More Cocktail Forks. Sometime these are confused with Cherry Forks and Oyster Forks. Cocktail Forks vary in length. These examples alone are from 5 1/2 inches to 6 3/4 inches. Note the three different styles in the King George pattern.

Adolphus by Mount Vernon

Fleur de Lis by Alvin (5 1/2 inches)

The pattern of King George has 3 different cocktail forks in the pattern, long tine, short tine, and wavy tine.

King George by Gorham - Short tines (5 3/4 inches)

King George by Gorham - Wavy tines (5 3/8 inches)

King George by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Angelo by Wood and Hughes (6 3/4 inches)

La Splendide by Reed and Gorham (5 5/8 inches)

Broom Corn by Tiffany (6 inches)

Cambridge by Gorham (5 1/2 inches)

Monday, November 15, 2010

Heraldic by Whiting

Heraldic by Whiting introduced in 1880 should not be confused with Heraldic by Durgin (See November 8, 2010). Ironically,this pattern also features a knight in the design. A knight's helmet is embellished in the pattern on the handle. Just under the helmet, there is a blank shield shaped area that is suitable for monograms.

Demitasse Spoon (4 inches)