Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-05-08

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, May 13, 2011

Toast Serving Fork (Revisted)

In an earlier post, I mentioned the Toast Fork. Here are some more examples of this piece.

Majestic by Alvin (7 1/2 inches)

Solid Toast Serving Fork

Orange Blossom by Alvin (7 1/2 inches)
Fork-Toast/serving-Solid

La Reine by Reed and Barton (7 1/4 inches)
Solid Toast Serving Fork

Lucerne by Wallace (7 1/2 inches)

Luxembourg by Gorham (7 3/4 inches)

Rococco by Dominick and Haff (8 inches)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Overcup Tea Strainer

A unique piece, the Overcup Tea Strainer was used to strain tea leaves when making hot tea by the cup.

Chrysanthemum by Kirk Stieff (7 1/4 inches)
Solid Individual Overcup Tea Strainer

Repousse by Kirk Steiffe (6 5/8 inches)

Solid Individual Overcup Tea Strainer

Baronial-Old by Gorham (6 inches)

Tea Strainer

Grand Baroque by Wallace (Individual 7 3/8 inches)
Solid Individual Overcup Tea Strainer

Grand Baroque by Wallace (Individual Pat 6 5/8)
Individual Overcup Tea Strainer, Plat

Rococo by Dominick and Haff
Solid Individual Overcup Tea Strainer

Lily of the Valley by Whiting
Solid Individual Overcup Tea Strainer

Monday, May 9, 2011

Chrysanthemum Patterns

Chrysanthemum was a common name and design in sterling flatware patterns. I could find nine different Chrysanthemum patterns - all very unique.

(Chocolate Spoon in Durgin 1893 designed by George Muller) (4 1/8 inches)