Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-02-03

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 8, 2013

Solid Waffle Servers Part 2

Once again, the Solid Waffle Server, (different from the Pierced Waffle Server). A simple, but lovely piece. I have posted on this earlier.

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (8 inches)

Louis XV by Whiting (8 inches)

Imperial Queen by Whiting (8 inches)

Luxembourg by Gorham (7 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

French Reniassance by Reed and Barton

This pattern, introduced in 1941, is an example of the old and the new styles of sterling flatware. The lines of French Renaissance by Reed and Barton has some of the older more elaborate designs one would see in the beginning of the 20th century toward the terminal end and then moving down the stem, the design simplifies more like of the later designs.

Large Jelly Server

Large Solid Jelly Server

Short Handle Pickle Fork

Short Handle Pickle/olive Fork

Ice Tea Spoon

Iced Tea Spoon

Lemon Fork
Fork-Lemon

Monday, February 4, 2013

Albany by Towle

Towle introduced Albany in 1890. In a way it is a simple pattern, with no design on the stem and simple lines radiating from the shoulder out on the bowls of the spoons. The area suitable for engraving is almost covered by the leaves that surround the terminal. Putting all the elements together, it makes for a very lovely pattern with differences that set it apart.

Large Jelly Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Two Piece Salad Set (9 1/8 inches)

Cream Ladle (5 inches)