Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-01-22

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, January 27, 2012

Ice Serving Spoons (Part 2)

I posted on this piece earlier, but here are more examples of the Ice Serving Spoon.

Trajan by Reed and Barton (9 inches)

Repousse by Kirk Stieff (8 3/8 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)

Mayflower by Kirk Stieff

Apollo by Knowles and Mount Vernon (7 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Fish Serving Set

The Fish Serving Set is one of the larger serving sets found in the older patterns.The knives range from 9 to 12 inches in length, the forks range from 7 1/2 to 10 inches in length. As with most of the serving pieces, they are usually ornately decorated. Often the blade of the knife will have a waved edge.

Bridal Rose by Alvin

Repousse by Kirk Stieff

Baronial Old by Gorham

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham

Frontenac by International

Monday, January 23, 2012

Broom Corn by Tiffany

Broom Corn was designed John T. Curran and introduced by Tiffany in 1890. It is a substantial pattern (has heft) with a shield suitable for engraving on the top of the terminal and simple, yet elegant, lines that flow down the stem and gently entwine an inch or so prior to reaching the shoulder. (On a personal note, I was thrilled to receive a piece of this for Christmas.)

Grapefruit spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Large Jelly Spoon (7 1/8 inches)

Salad Set (10 inches)

Salad Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Saratoga Chip Server (9 inches)