Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-09-11

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, September 16, 2011

Mayonnaise Ladle

A year or two ago, I posted a list of the different types of ladles one can find in sterling patterns. This is the Mayonnaise ladle which tend to be 4 1/2 to be 5 1/2 inches long (with one or two being 7 or 8 inches).

Buttercup by Gorham (5 1/2 inches)

Charles II by Dominick and Haff (5 1/8 inches)

Douvaine by Unger (4 3/4 inches)

Fleury by Gorham (5 inches)
Mayonnaise Ladle

Oval Twist by Whiting (5 inches)
Mayonnaise Ladle

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Escargot Fork

Escargot Forks are few and far between in patterns. I could only find several examples and only photographs of these two.

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

Sulgrave by Mount Vernon (3 7/8 inches)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Iris by Durgin

Iris by Durgin/Gorham is a fabulous pattern (in my humble opinion) with the rich ornate motif of irises on the terminal with the long intertwined leaves making up the stem. The pattern was introduced in 1900 by Durgin which was later bought by Gorham. An interesting feature is the serving pieces. You will not find them in this pattern. The serving pieces for this "Iris" pattern are included in the New Art pattern by Durgin, which also has pieces listed as "Narcissus", "Orange Blossom", and "Lily".

Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)

Fork (8 inches)

Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Cold Meat (9 1/8 inches)

Berry Spoon (9 1/2 inches)

Ice Spoon (9 1/4 inches)

Gravy Ladle (8 inches)