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?

Monday, December 31, 2012

Florentine Lace by Reed and Barton

Not an old pattern, Florentine Lace was introduced by Reed and Barton in 1951.  It is an "open" pattern on the solid handled pieces. The design is literally like a floral lace.

Gravy Ladle (6 1/2 inches)

Gravy Ladle, Solid Piece

Small Steak Carving Knife  (10 1/2 inches)

Small Steak Carving Knife With Stainless Blade

Large Cold Meat Serving Fork  (9 inches)

Large Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Fruit Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Fruit/orange Spoon


Cocktail Fork  (5 1/2 inches)
Cocktail/seafood Fork

Friday, December 28, 2012

CatTails by Towle


Believe it or not there are two Cat Tail patterns, one by Durgin (that I posted on earlier) and this one by Towle. This pattern is very detailed,but not nearly as distinct as the Durgin pattern.

Individual Solid Fruit Knife

Demitasse Spoon 
Demitasse Spoon

Nut Spoon (4 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Glenmore by Towle

Glenmore is an old pattern,designed for Towle by George P. Tilton and introduced in 1880. The lines are very similar of patterns introduced at that time. There is a flourish on the end of the terminal, an open area suitable for engraving, then a floral motif leading to a ribbed pattern down the stem. 



Sauce Ladle (6 1/8 inches)





Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas spoons

Some additional samples of Christmas Spoons

Christmas Holly Bon Bon Spoon in  Francis I by Reed and Barton



Gorham Holiday Spoon (Unknown Pattern)


Christmas Spoon in Chantilly by Gorham





Friday, December 21, 2012

Ivy by Gorham

The pattern Ivy was designed by George Wilkinson. Gorham introduced it in 1865.

Cocktail Spoon (5 1/8  inches)
Cocktail Spoon

Waffle Server (8 3/8 inches)

Solid Waffle Server

Sugar Tongs (5 3/4 inches)

Large Sugar Tongs

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Grand Baroque Holiday Spoons by Wallace

Wallace put out a commemorative Holiday Sugar spoon each year in their Grand Baroque pattern, with a different theme.  

2000 Wreath Sugar Spoon


2001 Christmas Tree Sugar Spoon
2001 Christmas Tree Sugar Spoon

2001 Wreath Sugar Spoon



2002 Snowflake Sugar Spoon

2002 Christmas Snowflake Sugar Spoon

And,in 2001 there was a Christmas Tree Chocolate Spoon

2001 Christmas Tree Chocolate Spoon

Monday, December 17, 2012

Holly Patterns

In addition to Tiffany's Holly, and Holly by Frank Whiting, here are three additional Holly patterns. All have lovely a holly and berry motif on the terminal. And, all are hard to find.

Five O'Clock Teaspoon in Holly by Alvin (Circa 1900)
Five O’clock Teaspoon



Preserve Spoon in Holly by Watson



Holly by Baker Manchester (Circa 1895)
Five O’clock Teaspoon

Friday, December 14, 2012

Mustard Spoon (Part 3)

The Mustard Spoon looks more like a ladle. I have posted on this piece earlier.

French Provincial by Towle (5 1/4 inches)



Marlborough by Reed and Barton (4 5/8 inches)



Versailles by Gorham (5 inches)



Madam Jumel  by Whiting (4 7/8 inches)


Washington by Wallace  (4 5/8 inches)


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Carnation by Wallace

Carnation was introduced by Wallace in 1909. It is a lovely pattern with a motif of the flower on the end of the terminal, an open area suitable for engraving, then another smaller bloom followed by thin stems down the stem of the piece. The shoulders of the serving pieces are decorated with carnation motifs on each side. A beautiful example of the art of sterling flatware in the early 1900's.

Butter Spreader (5 inches)




Large Lettuce serving Fork (9 inches)




Fork (7 5/8 inches)





Demitasse Spoon (3 7/8 inches)


Monday, December 10, 2012

London Engraved by Birks

Birks introduced the London Engraved pattern in 1914. It is a busy pattern on a rather flat piece.


Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Teaspoon

Short Pickle Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Short Handle Pickle/olive Fork

French Hollow Knife (8 7/8 inches)

New French Hollow Knife With Bolster

Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Friday, December 7, 2012

Renaissance by Dominick and Haff

This gorgeous elaborate pattern by Dominick and Haff, Renaissance was introduced in 1894. If you look on the bottom of the terminal you will see a man's visage. This is a great example of the elegance of sterling silver in its hey day. 

Salad Fork (7 1/4 inches)
3-Tine Salad Fork

Ice Serving Spoon

Ice Serving Spoon Large

Large Ice Cream Slicer
Large Solid Ice Cream Slicer


Fish Fork
Individual Solid Fish Fork

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Old Maryland by Kirk Stieff

In 1936 Kirk Stieff introduced Old Maryland. The pattern is etched in the terminal with room left for a monogram. A very busy pattern continues down the stem stopping well short of the shoulder.

Sugar Shell (6 1/4 inches)

Sugar Shell Spoon

Oyster Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Oyster Fork

Bon Bon Spoon  (5 1/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Knife (8 7/8 inches)
New French Hollow Knife With Bolster

Monday, December 3, 2012

Della Robbia by Alvin

Della Robia was introduced by Alvin in 1922. It is a very simple pattern with a floral motif. 

Large Sugar Tongs (4 3/4 inches)

Large Sugar Tongs


Gravy Ladle (5 1/2 inches)

Gravy Ladle, Solid Piece

Knife (9 3/4 inches)

Old French Hollow Knife

Small Jelly Server

Small Solid Jelly Server

Friday, November 30, 2012

Bouquet by Durgin

A repousse style design, Bouquet was introduced by Durgin in 1875. This is a highly decorated multimotif pattern.


Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Fork

Berry Spoon (9 3/8 inches)




Brightcut Solid Large Berry/casserole Spoon