Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-08-07

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, August 12, 2011

Lobster Pick

An unusual piece, the Lobster Pick comes in several styles. It can be a single pick, a two prong pick, a two tine fork or three tine fork.

Baronial Old by Gorham (5 5/8 Inches)

Castilian by Tiffany

Elegante by Reed and Barton (5 and 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tea Caddy Spoon

The Tea Caddy Spoon was used to dispense the loose tea leaves into the Tea Caddy. It is a relatively small piece, usually 3 1/2 to 5 inches.

Watteau by Durgin (4 7/8 inches)

Baltimore Rose by Schofield (3 7/8 inches)

Dresden by Whiting (3 3/4 inches)

Blossom by Georg Jensen (4 inches)

Dauphin by Durgin (5 inches)

Hagie by Frank Whiting (5 inches)

Monday, August 8, 2011

Tulip by Durgin

Tulip by Durgin was introduced in 1898. A fairly straight forward design with two tulips at the head of the terminal, two tulips at the head of the stem, with the stems of the tulips entwined around the stem of the piece and crossing back at the top of the shoulder.

Salad Fork (6 inches)
Individual Salad Fork

Small Confection Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Large Cucumber Server (6 1/2 inches)