Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-10-23

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, October 28, 2011

Pierced Nut Spoon

The regular sized Pierced Nut Spoon can easily by confused with the Pierced Bonbon Scoop. It is smaller than the Master Nut Server, but just as ornate.

Mythologique by Gorham (4 5/8 inches)

Apollo by Knowles and Mount Vernon (4 5/8 inches)

Nut Spoon

Abbottsford by International (5 1/4 inches)

H45 by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Hyperion by Whiting

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Master Pierced Nut Server

A Nut server or Nut Scoop comes in two sizes the regular Nut spoon is 4 to 5 inches long, while the Master Nut Server, or Master Nut spoon, shown here is much bigger, 7 to 9 inches long. It is an ornate piece with a pierced bowl.

Virginiana by Gorham (9 1/8 inches)
Pierced Nut Serving Spoon

Avalon by International (7 inches)

Old Newbury by Towle (8 inches)

Lily by Whiting (9 inches)

Imperial Queen by Whiting (9 inches)

Monday, October 24, 2011

Dawn by Unger

Issued in 1904, Dawn by Unger is another example of the exquisite work put out by this company. Pieces from this pattern are exceedingly rare. The design has the face of a lady on the terminal with locks of her hair flowing down the stem.

Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Fork