Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-11-18

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, November 23, 2012

Fried Egg Server - Part 2

Unlike the Egg Spoon, the Fried Egg Server is a serving piece and therefore larger. I have posted on this earlier.

English King by Tiffany (9 7/8 inches)
Tiffany English King sterling silver fried egg server

Tiffany English King sterling silver fried egg server

Dandelion by Whiting (9 5/8 inches)

Charles II by Dominick and Haff (8 inches)

Hanover by Gorham (8 3/8 inches)

Winthrop by Tiffany (9 1/4 inches)

Colonial Patterns

Given we have just celebrated Thanksgiving, I thought it would interesting to see how different companies would interpret Colonial themes in their design. Most are very simple given the initial colonies were first settled by pilgrims seeking religious freedom.

Lexington by Dominick and Haff (1915) (Pastry Fork - 6 inches)

Williamsburg by Kirk Stieff (1970 ) (Gravy Ladle 7 5/8 inches)

Gravy Ladle With Shell Bowl

Plymouth by Gorham (1911) (Orange Spoon - 5 7/8 inches)

Old Colony by Lunt (1895) (Sardine Serving Fork - 5 inches)

Large Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

Old Colony by Watson (Fork - 1922)

Fork

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Pendant-of-Fruit by Lunt

Pendant-of-Fruit was designed by Frederick W. Kooz for Lunt and introduced in 1939. It was retired in 1972. A simple pattern with only a bouquet of fruit hanging down the terminal.

Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Individual Salad Fork

Seafood Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Cocktail/seafood Fork

Preserve Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Monday, November 19, 2012

Indian by Whiting

Unlike Tiffany's Indian pattern which is very rare and extremely expensive, Indian by Whiting was introduced in 1880. Whiting's pattern is simple but elegant

Large Berry Spoon (9 3/8 inches)
Brightcut Solid Large Berry/casserole Spoon

Brightcut Solid Large Berry/casserole Spoon

Sugar Shell (6 inches)

Sugar Shell Spoon

Flat Handle Butter Knife (7 1/4 inches)

Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Pie Knife (8 3/4 inches)

Large Solid Bright Cut Pie Knife