Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-05-26

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 31, 2013

Fish Serving Set (Part 2)

The Fish Serving Set, that I have posted on earlier, is probably the most expensive piece(s) in any pattern, well maybe with the exception of the Crumb Knife or Crumber. They are usually exquisite examples of the patterns design.

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff

Imperial Queen by Whiting

St. Cloud by Gorham

No. 10 by Dominick and Haff

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

One Tine Butter Picks -Part 2

I have posted on Butter Picks in general earlier, and also on One Tine Butter Picks.Here are some fine examples of more One Tine Butter Picks, an often misunderstood piece in the silver drawer.

Milburn Rose by Westmoreland (6 1/4 inches)

Mount Vernon by Lunt (6 1/2 inches)

Bridal Rose by Alvin (6 inches)

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (6 inches)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Cherry Blossom by Blackinton

Blackinton (now known as Towle) had a series of floral patterns, Azalea, Daisy, Lotus, Sweetbrier, and Thistle. Cherry Blossom was designed by Sidney Keller and introduced in 1903. It is an intricate pattern with a realistic design of cherry blossoms on the terminal with stems and leaves leading to more blossoms on the stem. Cherries flank the shoulder and the edge of the bowl is decorated with a leaf motif.

Large Lettuce Serving Fork (8 1/8 inches)

Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)

Cream Ladle (4 3/4 inches)

Sugar Shell (5 5/8 inches)