Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-09-16

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, September 21, 2012

Olympia by Watson

Another Watson pattern designed by Eustace Crees & Charles S. Court introduced in 1903, Olympia is elegant in a stately way with scroll motifs decorating the bottom of the terminal and the shoulder of each piece. The top of the terminal fans out with a three point design.

Ice Cream Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Pierced Egg Server (7 7/8 inches)

Large Lettuce Serving Spoon (7 5/8 inches)

Pea Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Pastry Fork

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Crumb Knife (Crumber) Part 3

The red headed step child of the sterling flatware serving piece world, the Crumb Knife or Crumber. Unlike his more elegant cousins who grace the buffet, he is forced to come out and clean the linen table cloth between courses. But when all is said and done, this Cinderella utensil is often the most beautiful piece in the drawer. I posted earlier on this piece.

Imperial Queen by Whiting

Frontenac by International (12 3/8 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham (12 3/4 inches)

Monday, September 17, 2012

Altair by Watson

Altair was designed by Eustace Crees & Charles S. Court and introduced by Watson in 1904. It is a lovely pattern having a wide oval shaped terminal with a slightly offset ornate tip.

Ice Cream Spoon (5 1/8 inches)

Bon Bon Scoop (5 3/4 inches)

Large Fish Serving Fork (8 1/4 inches)