Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-04-22

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, April 27, 2012

Four O'Clock Spoon

The Four O'Clock Spoon runs in length from 4 3/4 to 5 3/8. It is shorter in length than the Five O'Clock spoon at 5 to 5 5/8 inches and much shorter than the place teaspoon, usually 5 7/8 to slightly over 6 inches. It is longer than the Demitasse spoon which is usually 3 3/4 inches to 4 1/2 inches. You may be able to tell a Demitasse from a Five O'Clock spoon, but without seeing all four laid out together, it could be confusing. I imagine many people are using Four O'clock spoons thinking they are place teaspoons. Oh, and to confuse matters there is the Desert spoon, but since it ranges from 6 7/8 to 8 inches, chances are it will not get confused in the mix.

This spoon is designed to be used when coffee (or tea) is served in the late afternoon. You will find them in many of the older patterns.

Maryland by Gorham ( 4 7/8 inches)

Rosette by Gorham (5 inches)

Saint James by Tiffany (4 5/8 inches)

Charles II by Dominick and Haff (5 1/4 inches)

Lotus by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Citrus Knife

Rarely do you come across a piece of sterling flatware that differs in style and design from pattern to pattern as does the Citrus Knife. In most patterns, the knife has a serrated blade and is shaped much like a dinner knife but much shorter, an example being Georgian. Then you have the example in Louis XV that has a hook in the end and deep serrations in the blade. Chrysanthemum by Tiffany is another whole animal in its design, as is Oval Twist.

Betty Alden by Reed and Barton (7 1/2 inches)

Daisy by Blackinton (7 1/2 inches)

Georgian by Towle (7 7/8 inches)

Louis XV by Gorham (5 7/8 inches)

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (5 1/2 inches)

Oval Twist by Whiting (7 1/2 inches)

Monday, April 23, 2012

Jam Spoons

Once again, the Victorians were true "splitters". I have posted on Jelly Spoons and Servers and Preserve Spoons earlier. Here is the Jam Spoon - its own separate utensil.

Renaissaince by Dominck and Haff (7 1/4 inches)

Raleigh by Alvin (7 1/8 inches)
Jam Spoon

Acorn by Georg Jensen (5 3/4 inches)

Mount Vernon by Lunt (5 3/8 inches)

Jam Spoon

Putnam by Watson (6 inches)

Jam Spoon

Les Six Fleurs by Reed and Barton (7 1/2 inches)

Jam Spoon

Mayflower by Kirk Stieff (5 3/8 inches)
Jam Spoon

Waltz of Spring by Wallace

In the great scheme of the world of sterling, Waltz of Spring by Wallace is a relatively new pattern being introduced in 1952. The lines are more modern and similar to those more popular after the 1940's.

Master Butter Spreader (6 3/4 inches)

Cream Soup Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Pierced Table Serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)

Tomato Server (8 1/2 inches)