Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-02-06

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, February 11, 2011

Pickle Forks (Two Tines)

The Victorians, with their love of condiments, had penchant for pickles, relishes, olives, and chow chow. For their Pickle Forks, they had two kinds, the two tine and three tine types. Here are some examples of the two tine type.

Wellington by Alvin (6 1/4 inches)

French Scroll by Alvin

Chateau Rose by Alvin (5 3/4 inches)

Florence Nightingale by Alvin (5 5/8 inches)

Du Barry by Durgin (7 3/4 inches)

Poppy by Baker Manchester (6 1/8 inches)

Marquis by Frank Whiting (6 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Olive Spoons

Most older patterns have at least one Olive Spoon, usually two, a long handle and a short handle. You will find the piece to be distinctly different in each pattern. The common trait being the pierced bowl. Here are some examples of both long and short handle olive spoons.

Rustic by Towle (Long Handle 7 1/4 inches)

Pierced Bowl Long Handle Olive Spoon

Chased Diana by Towle (5 5/8)

Chippendale Old by Alvin (7 3/8 inches)

Florentine by Alvin (8 1/4 inches)
Olive Spoon

Cromwell by Durgin (6 1/2 inches)
Short Olive Spoon With Pierced Bowl

Du Barry by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)

Olive Spoon

New Vintage by Durgin (6 1/4 inches)

Olive Spoon

Victorian by Durgin (6 1/8 inches)

Olive Spoon

Landers No. 2 by Baker Manchester (6 3/8 inches)

Olive Spoon

Monday, February 7, 2011

Rustic by Towle

Towle introduced this pattern in 1895, a fairly simple pattern with a scroll motiff on the end and beading on the stem, however the serving pieces can be elegant.

Large Confection Spoon (5 1/4 inches)