Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-01-23

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, January 28, 2011

Ramekin Forks (Part 2)

I wanted to revisit the Ramekin Fork as I did earlier since there are so many beautiful examples.

Hepplewhite Chased by Reed and Barton (4 7/8 inches)

English Gadroon by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Watteau by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)

Buckingham by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Viking by Alvin (5 1/2 inches)

Bunker Hill by Watson (4 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Chipped Beef Fork (Revisted)

Here are more examples of the Chipped Beef Fork I posted about earlier. Although it looks like the basic serving fork, usually it is smaller. However, they come in three sizes: large, medium, and small, and if a pattern had the piece, usually there were all three sizes in the pattern.

Chrysanthemum by Durgin (Large 7 1/2 inches)

Basket of Flowers by Dominick and Haff (Small 6 1/4 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham (Medium 6 3/4 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham (Small 5 7/8 inches)

Rose by Wallace ( Medium 6 inches)

Dauphine by Wallace (Small 5 7/8 inches)

Old Orange Blossom by Alvin (Small 5 7/8 inches)

Monday, January 24, 2011

Meadow by Gorham

An older pattern by Gorham, introduced in 1897, described as "Multimotif". Decorated with an ornate pattern of flowers, leaves, and vines on the front and back of the pieces.

Dinner Fork

Sauce Ladle

Fish Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)

Salt Spoon

Lemon Fork (4 1/2 inches)

Master Butter Knife (6 1/2 inches)
Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)