Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-07-10

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, July 15, 2011

Misc Unique Servers

Every once in a while you run across some pieces that get classified in very general terms such as "forks", here are some elegant serving pieces classified as "Servers".

"Elephant Ear" Server (in Olympian pattern by Tiffany) (10 3/4 inches)
tiffany olympian sterling elephant ear server

tiffany olympian sterling elephant ear server

Sterling Silver Shovel (in Lady pattern by Gorham) (10 inches)
gorham lady scoop server

Server (in Olympian pattern by Tiffany) (12 1/2 inches)

Server (in Morning Glory pattern by Gorham) (10 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Morning Glory by Alvin

A simple pattern, but elegant in its simplicity. Morning Glory was introduced by Alvin in 1909. The pattern has an open Morning Glory blossom on the terminal and another at the top of the stem with an area between suitable for engraving. Thin lines run down the stem to a small leaf and a third very small blossom at the bottom of the stem just before the shoulder. The design is detailed and deep.

Pickle Fork (5 7/8 inches)
Olive Fork

Demitasse Spoon (4 inches)

Butter Spreader

Coffee Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Monday, July 11, 2011

Milburn Rose by Westmorland

Not a particularly old pattern, Milburn Rose was introduced by Westmorland in 1940. The only decoration is the flat rectangular terminal that sports a rose motif surrounded by leaf embellishments.

Berry Spoon (8 7/8 inches)

Butter Spreader
FH Butter Spreader

Cheese Scoop (5 7/8 inches)

Mustard Ladle (4 3/4 inches)