Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-12-09

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, December 14, 2012

Mustard Spoon (Part 3)

The Mustard Spoon looks more like a ladle. I have posted on this piece earlier.

French Provincial by Towle (5 1/4 inches)

Marlborough by Reed and Barton (4 5/8 inches)

Versailles by Gorham (5 inches)

Madam Jumel by Whiting (4 7/8 inches)

Washington by Wallace (4 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Carnation by Wallace

Carnation was introduced by Wallace in 1909. It is a lovely pattern with a motif of the flower on the end of the terminal, an open area suitable for engraving, then another smaller bloom followed by thin stems down the stem of the piece. The shoulders of the serving pieces are decorated with carnation motifs on each side. A beautiful example of the art of sterling flatware in the early 1900's.

Butter Spreader (5 inches)