Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-06-10

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, June 15, 2012

Lettuce Serving Forks (Part 2)

A while back I posted on Lettuce Serving Forks, a very elegant piece. Here are a few more examples.

Century by Dominick and Haff (8 1/2 inches)

Savannah by Reed and Barton (8 1/4 inches)

Versailles by Gorham

Lily by Whiting

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Egg Spoon (Part 2)

More examples of Egg Spoons. I have seen these referred to as "Parfait Spoons" .

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (6 inches)

Louis XV by Whiting (5 inches)

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (4 3/8 inches)

Fontainbleau By Gorham (4 7/8 inches)

La Reine by Reed and Barton (5 inches)

Monday, June 11, 2012

Medallion by Gorham

Medallion was introduced in 1864 by Gorham. This is a fairly simple design with the head of a Trojan soldier in silhouette encircled like a medallion with a design above it on the terminal. A simple stem with a floret in the middle leads to the shoulder. And the shoulder is just three lines that open to the bowl.

Ice Cream Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Combination Olive Fork Spoon (10 3/4 inches)

Sugar Shell (6 inches)

Large Pie Knife (9 5/8 inches)

Fork (6 7/8 inches)