Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-12-30

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, January 4, 2013

Etruscan by Gorham

A fairly simple pattern, Etruscan was designed by William C. Codman and introduced by Gorham in 1913.

Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Orange Spoon

Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Orange Spoon

Sugar Spoon(5 7/8 inches)
Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Sugar Spoon

Medium Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Medium Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

French Knife (8 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Knife-New French/Hollow

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Lancaster by Gorham

Gorham introduced Lancaster in 1897. It is a simple but elegant pattern with small roses on the end of the terminal and beading around the edges.

Berry Fork (4 5/8 inches)

Ice Cream Spoon(5 1/2 inches)

Sugar Shell (6 inches)

Olive Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 3/8 inches)

Monday, December 31, 2012

Florentine Lace by Reed and Barton

Not an old pattern, Florentine Lace was introduced by Reed and Barton in 1951. It is an "open" pattern on the solid handled pieces. The design is literally like a floral lace.

Gravy Ladle (6 1/2 inches)

Gravy Ladle, Solid Piece