Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-06-12

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, June 17, 2011

Long Handle Oyster Forks

Much like the regular Oyster Fork, these are examples of the Long Handle Oyster Fork. They are not found in many patterns, in fact just a few manufacturers include them in their patterns.

Louis XV by Durgin (7 3/4 inches)

Watteau by Durgin (7 7/8 inches)

Scroll by Durgin

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Jelly Knife (Part 3)

Another part of the Jelly, Jam, Preserve utensil collection, here are more examples of the Jelly Knife. I posted earlier on these.

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (8 1/2 inches)
Large Jelly Knife

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (8 3/8 inches)
Large Jelly Knife

Luxembourg by Gorham (8 1/8 inches)
Large Jelly Knife

Rococo by Dominick and Haff (7 3/8 inches)
Large Jelly Knife

Pomona by Towle (8 1/4 inches)
Large Bright Cut Jelly Knife

Lucerne by Wallace (8 1/8 inches)
Large Jelly Knife

Monday, June 13, 2011

Chrysanthemum by Gorham

Chrysanthemum by Gorham is just one other pattern with the Chrysanthemum name. Introduced in 1885, it is one of the older ones. It is an etched pattern with a simple floral design on the terminal and stem.

Youth Tea fork (6 inches)

Old Style Pickle Fork

Gravy Ladle

Oyster Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Ice cream slicer (10 1/2 inches)