Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-02-17

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 22, 2013

Old Mirror by Towle

This pattern, Old Mirror, was designed by Arim K. Kalashian for Towle and introduced in 1940. I think this is the most uniquely named pattern I have come across yet. And, it aptly describes the design. The terminal resembles an old oval mirror with a floral motif below it.

Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Salad Fork (6 3/8 inches)

Small Berry Spoon (8 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Asparagus Serving Fork

There are Asparagus Tongs and Servers - both solid and pierced. However, there is also an Asparagus Serving Fork which I imagine gets confused with other pieces.

Love Disarmed by Reed and Barton (10 7/8 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff

Lady Claire by Kirk Stieff

Monday, February 18, 2013

Dorothy Vernon by Whiting

Whiting introduced Dorothy Vernon in 1909. The motif on the end of the terminal is very similar to the motif of the Chrysanthemum on the terminal of Chrysanthemum by Tiffany. The terminal is surrounded by a design that ends with the top of the stem. I cannot tell what the design is there, however there is a delicate, but elegant treatment on the stem that expands to the shoulder. In the case of the spoons, the design flows onto the bowl.

Large Berry Spoon (9 inches)
Large Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon

Short Handle Olive Spoon (6 1/4 inches)

Pierced Bowl Short Handle Olive Spoon

Pie Fork (6 3/8 inches)

Individual Pie Fork

Place Fish Knife (7 3/4 inches)

Individual Solid Fish Knife