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, April 29, 2011

Large Claret Spoon (Part 2)

I posted earlier on the Claret Spoon. There are two sizes, a large and a small which can be confusing given that they very in size from 12 to 18 inches. And, many times the smaller in some patterns are longer than the large size in others.


Richeleiu by Tiffany (Large - 18 3/4 inches)
Large Solid Claret Spoon With Twisted
Newcastle by Gorham (Large - 13 inches)
Large Claret Spoon, Solid Piece
Elegante by Reed and Barton (Large -15 3/4 inches)
Large Claret Spoon, Solid Piece


La Marquise by Reed and Barton (Large -15 inches)
Large Claret Spoon, Solid Piece


No. 10 by Dominick and Haff  (Large -12 1/2 inches)
Large Claret Spoon, Solid Piece




Renaissance by Domick and Haff (Small -14 1/2 inches)
Small Claret Spoon, Solid Piece

Lancaster by Gorham (Small -13 1/2 inches)
Small Claret Spoon, Solid Piece

Narcissus by Unger (Large - 12 1/2 inches)
Large Claret Spoon, Solid Piece

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Individual Corn Spear

An odd (and rare) utensil - the Individual Corn Spear does just what its name says. And, it is found in few patterns.


Gadroonette by Manchester (3 3/4 inches)


Individual Corn Spear


Repousse by Kirk Stieff



Lenore by Manchester




Monday, April 25, 2011

Mazarin By Dominick and Haff

A very old pattern Mazarin  was designed by Gilbert L. Crowell, Jr. and introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1892.

Large Chocolate Spoon (4 1/4 inches)
Large Chocolate Spoon




Oyster Fork (5 1/2 inches)
Oyster Fork

Cake Saw (9 3/8 inches)


Cake Saw, Solid Piece

Cocktail Fork ( 5 3/8 inches)

Cocktail Fork

Bouillon Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Bouillon Soup Spoon

Pie Server (9 1/2 inches)
Pie Server

Ice Cream Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Ice Cream Fork


Jelly Cake Server (9 1/2 inches)

Jelly Cake Server