Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2011-12-04

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, December 9, 2011

Large Punch Ladle

The Large Punch Ladle is a very recognizable piece of any pattern. It is also one of the larger pieces. Some are flat handled (as shown here) and some are hollow handled and most patterns have examples of both.

Canterbury by Towle (14 5/8 inches)

Francis I by Reed and Barton (16 inches)

Classic Rose by Reed and Barton (15 3/8 inches)

Imperial Queen by Whiting (13 1/2 inches)

New Standish by Durgin (13 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Kidney Bowl Serving Pieces

As I have discussed before, most patterns have a Casserole Spoon that is often referred to as a Berry Spoon. These pieces are some of the most ornate serving pieces in a pattern with elaborate designs of fruit and flowers on the bowl. Some companies will have more than one type of "casserole" piece in a pattern. Tiffany is one of these companies. Many of their patterns have a Kidney Bowl Casserole Serving piece. Here are some examples of those pieces.

English King by Tiffany (9 1/4 inches)
Berry-Casserole Spoon, Kidney Bowl

Atlantis by Tiffany (9 1/2 inches)

Berry-Casserole Spoon, Kidney Bowl

Renaissance by Tiffany (9 3/4 inches)

Blackberry by Tiffany (9 1/2 inches)

Strawberry by Tiffany (9 1/2 inches)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Royal Oak by Gorham

Gorham introduced Royal Oak in 1904. This is a beautiful old pattern with deep detailing that truly lives up to its name. Acorns adorn the terminal and the back of the shoulders of the serving pieces are decorated with oak leaves and more acorns. Due to the depth of the detail, older pieces really show the beauty of the pattern.

Large Sugar Sifter (6 3/4 inches)

Cream Ladle (5 7/8 inches)

Oversize Solide Salad Serving Spoon (10 1/4 inches)

Pie Server (9 inches)

Asparagus Server (9 inches)

Beef Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Sardine Fork (9 inches)