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?

Monday, May 16, 2011

Trajan by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton introduced their Trajan pattern in 1892. This is a beautiful pattern that is both delicate in stem and robust in the end of the handle. Starting at the shoulder you will note a small vine winding its way just part the way up the stem. The stem itself is decorated with engraved straight lines then about half way up a heavy repousse style floral design weighs on the terminal.


Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)




Teaspoon


Salad Serving Fork (8 3/4 inches)
Salad Serving Fork, Solid Piece


Cake Server (9 3/8 inches)
Cake Server, Solid Piece


Fork (7 1/4  inches)
Fork


Small Berry Spoon (8 3/4 inches)
Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon


Oyster Ladle (9 1/8 inches)
Oyster Ladle, Solid Piece







Small Chipped Beef Fork (6 1/2 inches)
Small Chipped Beef Fork







2 comments:

  1. "Trajan" has the appearance of being a repousse pattern, but I don't think it was made using that process (punching pattern into the silver from the back). It also has a decidedly art nouveau look, though it was introduced a good five or ten years earlier than most art nouveau.

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  2. This is a lovely pattern that I agree most folks would take as a repousse pattern.

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