Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-02-13

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?

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Cucumber Servers (Part 2)

A beautiful piece, I mentioned the Cucumber Server in an earlier post. Like many of the serving pieces, this piece often is more ornate than other serving pieces in the pattern.

Colonial By Gorham

Adolphus by Mount Vernon (5 3/4 inches)

Fleury by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

New Art by Durgin (7 inches)

Virginiana by Gorham (6 1/4 inches)

Monday, February 14, 2011

Lafayette by Baker Manchester

Six different companies make (or made) patterns with the name "Lafayette", but this is the pattern introduced in 1898 by Baker Manchester. It is a beautiful intricate pattern typical of so many of the older patterns, especially by this company.

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/4 inches)