Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-01-13

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 18, 2013

Peony by Wallace

Henrik Hillbom designed the pattern Peony for Wallace in 1906. This is a simple but elegant pattern with a peony blossom on the end of the terminal, an open area for engraving, followed by another blossom on the top of the stem. Leaves twined together decorate the stem.

Bon Bon Scoop ( 5 1/8 inches)

Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Table Serving Spoon (8 1/4 inches)

Knife (9 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Louvre by Wallace

William H. Tomey designed the pattern Louvre for Wallace which was introduced in 1893. The pattern is an ornate design with paisley swirls and a floral motif that follows the shoulder onto the bowl or tines of the serving pieces. It has an open space on the terminal suitable for engraving. In 1914 Wallace introduced a silver plated pattern also called "Louvre" but it is very simple in its lines and in no way resembles this sterling pattern.

Jelly Cake Server (7 7/8 inches)

Bon Bon Tongs (3 1/8 inches)

Sugar Spoon ( 5 7/8 inches)

Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Monday, January 14, 2013

Baltimore Rose by Schofield

The pattern, Baltimore Rose, was introduced by Schofield in 1905. It is one of the repousse type patterns with half opened rosebuds and leaves in the design on the terminal and stem.

Bon Bon Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Fruit Serving Spoon (9 1/4 inches)

Place Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Long Butter Spreader (5 1/2 inches)