Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-06-02

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?

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

King George by Gorham

Gorham introduced King George in 1894. Another substantial pattern by Gorham, King George has a shell design on the end of the terminal, a palm (or grass like) design at the base of the terminal and the top of the shoulder. Nice lines follow the stem from the terminal down.

Large Fish Fork (7 inches)

Crumb Knife (11 7/8 inches)

Fruit or Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Two Piece Salad Set (9 inches)

Monday, June 3, 2013

Henry II by Gorham

Gorham introduced Henry II in 1900. The design of the pattern is very formal and heavy with embellishment around the terminal with an area suitable for engraving. An interesting "fleur de lis" depiction tops the stem with (what looks like) a zipper design going down the stem to yet another image on the shoulder. All in all, a substantial pattern in the tradition of the house of Gorham.

Note the good examples of the differences between a "New" hollow handle knife and an "Old" one.

Ice Cream Fork (5 1/2 inches)