Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-03-06

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, March 11, 2011

Macaroni Server (Part II)

Last year, I mentioned the Macaroni Server in an earlier post. Here are some more examples of this lovely serving piece. My personal favorite being this first piece in Rose and Scroll by Whiting.

Roses and Scrolls by Whiting (9 1/2 inches)

Imperial Queen by Whiting (9 1/2 inches)

Shown in Duke of York by Whiting (9 1/4 inches)

Richelieu by Tiffany

Shown in Persian by Tiffany (9 1/4 inches)

Shown in Meadow by Gorham

Shown in Hyperion by Whiting (9 1/2 inches)

Shown in Lily by Gorham (9 3/4 inches)

Shown in Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)

Shown in Oval Twist by Whiting (9 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Mustard Spoon

Although called spoons, the Mustard Spoon is shaped more like a very small ladle.

Renaissance by Dominick and Haff (4 7/8 inches)

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (4 3/8 inches)

Mustard Spoon

King George By Gorham (4 1/2 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (4 5/8 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Luxembourg by Gorham (4 1/2 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Frontenac by International (4 1/4 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Medici-Old by Gorham (5 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Waverly by Wallace (5 3/8 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Monday, March 7, 2011

Lily of the Valley by Whiting

Two Piece Salad Set (9 inches)
2-Piece Salad Set, Solid Pieces

Salad Serving Spoon (9 inches)
Salad Serving Spoon, Solid Piece

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Small Berry Serving Spoon (8 7/8 inches)
Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Small Chipped Beef Fork (6 inches)
Fork-Chipped Beef/small-Decorated Bow

Individual Berry Fork (4 3/4 inches)

Egg Spoon (4 3/8 inches)

Large Solid Pie Knife (9 1/8 inches)

Introduced in 1885 (126 years ago). Every once and a while I have to remember just how old some of these patterns are. For a little over $10,000 you, too, can own a complete 91 piece set of this lovely antique pattern.

Short Olive Spoon (6 12/ inches)