Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-02-20

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 25, 2011

Oyster Ladles

More Oyster utensils. The Oyster Ladle used to serve Oyster Stew is one of the many ladles in any given sterling pattern.

Empire by Durgin (10 3/8 inches)

Oyster Ladle, Solid Piece

Olympian by Tiffany (11 1/4 inches)

tiffany olympian oyster ladle

Watteau by Durgin (12 3/4 inches)
Oyster Ladle, Solid Piece

Elegante by Reed and Barton (10 3/4 inches)
Oyster Ladle, Solid Piece

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Two Tine Butter Picks

Earlier I mentioned Butter Picks, particularly one tine, here are the Two Tine variety of Butter Picks.

Dauphin by Durgin-Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Federal Cotillion by Frank Smith (6 inches)

Heraldic by Whiting (6 1/4 inches)

King George by Gorham

Monday, February 21, 2011

Chased Diana by Towle

Harold E. Nock designed this pattern for Towle and it was introduced in 1925. It was discontinued in 1996. A very simple pattern with a decorative pattern along the edge of the stem and a small amount of decoration on the lower part of the stem.

Jelly Server (6 5/8 inches)

Sugar Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Salad Fork (6 3/8 inches)