Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-05-12

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, May 17, 2013

Narcissus By Fessendun

Narcissus by Fessendun was introduced in 1905. The general design is very much in keeping with the designs the Watson patterns Orchid and Wild Rose (by Eustace Crees and Charles Court). An open narcissus blossom is on the top of the terminal with the vine gently crossing and meandering down the stem.

Jelly Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Cucumber Server (5 3/4 inches)

Sugar Shell (5 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Byzantine by Woods and Hughes

Woods and Hughes introduced Byzantine in 1875. It is described as a "multimotif" pattern. I would describe it as having a heavily embossed floral design. Either way, it is a very pretty and very old pattern.

Fork (7 5/8 inches)

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Small Soup Ladle (11 1/2 inches)

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Oyster Fork (6 1/4 inches)

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Tablespoon (8 3/8 inches)

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Monday, May 13, 2013

Various Sardine Forks

There is the Sardine Fork as I posted on earlier and these other Sardine Forks. I cannot tell you why, but I have an affinity for this piece of flatware. It has always intrigued me. Only the Victorians would design a piece of sterling silver to use to eat sardines out of a can. But then again, they did always want to be proper.

It is possible to find an example of each of these in one pattern. The Long Handled Sardine Fork is part of the serving set.

Long Handled Sardine Fork (Lily by Frank Whiting 7 3/8 inches)

Small Tined Sardine Fork (Georgian by Towle 4 1/2 inches)
Small Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

Large Tined Sardine Fork (Georgian by Towle 5 5/8 inches)
Large Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

Sardine Serving Fork (Byzatine by Woods and Hughes 6 1/4 inches)