Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-04-15

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, April 20, 2012

Melon Spoons

Here are examples of Melon Spoons. You will notice most of them have a blunt end on the bowl.

Heraldic by Durgin ( 5 5/8 inches)

Cloeto by International (5 1/2 inches)

American Beauty by Shiebler

Blackberry Vine by Tiffany

Kings by Wallace

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Individual Berry Fork

I have posted on Strawberry Forks and Cherry Forks but not Individual Berry Forks, so here are some examples of Berry Forks. These would be a place piece.

Trajan by Reed and Barton (4 1/4 inches)

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (4 3/4 inches)

Georgian by Towle (5 inches)

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (4 3/4 inches)

Raleigh by Alvin (4 3/4 inches)

Monday, April 16, 2012

Chantilly by Gorham

I have not posted on this pattern because it is the most popular sterling pattern ever. Even though it was originally introduced by Gorham in 1895, Chantilly is still going strong. It is even the pattern used on Airforce One. I am the third generation in my family to have it. (I would not have chosen it except I knew choosing it would pretty much guarantee I would be in line to inherit both my mother's and my grandmother's sets of silver. When it comes to sterling, I have no pride.) Of course, like most women of my age, until I started researching for this blog I had no idea there were so many lovely sterling patterns out there. But I digress.

So, I give the pattern, it's due.

Tomato Server (7 1/2 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Nut Spoon (4 5/8 inches)

Sardine Serving Fork

Lettuce Fork (9 1/4 inches)