Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-01-27

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, February 1, 2013

English King by Tiffany

English King is another pattern designed by Charles Grosjean for Tiffany (like Lap over Edge and Chrysanthemum.) Tiffany introduced this pattern 1885. It is a bold but elegant pattern with a scallop shell on the end of the terminal with a floral and acanthus pattern on the top of the stem and on the top of the shoulder.

Orange Spoon

Individual Salt Spoon

Pastry Fork

Small Ice Cream Server

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Azalia by Blackinton

The pattern Azalia was designed for Blakinton by Albert E. Hathaway. There is a blossom on the side of the tip of the terminal, flourish around a blank space for engraving followed by a leaf and floral motif down the stem. The rims of the spoons are decorated with a simple scroll. A beautiful old pattern by a company one rarely sees.

Old Style Pickle Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Large Jelly Spoon (7 3/8 inches)

Oyster Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Chow Chow Spoon (6 3/8 inches)

Monday, January 28, 2013

BMS1 by Baker Manchester

Baker Manchester, as well as some other companies such as Gorham, would produce patterns that had numbers but were never named. I find this pattern BMS1 to be exquisite in its design. The pattern is described as "scroll tipped". This pattern dates back to 1918.

Cream Ladle (5 3/4 inches)

Small Chipped Beef Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Relish Spoon (6 1/4 inches)

Relish Spoon in the Bms1 (sterling) pattern by Baker Manchester Slv