Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-06-16

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, June 21, 2013

Athene/ Crescendo by Amston

Athene aka Crescendo was introduced by Amston in 1913. Its design is heavy and ornate. It is a pattern one does not often see.

Cheese Server ( 6/12 inches)

Cake Breaker (10 1/4 inches)

Two Piece Steak Carving Set

Olive Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Individual Caviar Fork

The Individual Caviar Fork is another piece that can easily be confused with a Salad or Fish Fork, however it is usually shorter by as much as a half inch or more.

San Lorenzo by Tiffany (5 3/4 inches)

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (5 3/4 inches)

St. Dunstan by Tiffany (5 7/8 inches)

Marquise by Tiffany (5 5/8 inches)

Monday, June 17, 2013

St. Dunstan by Tiffany

St. Dunstan was designed for Tiffany by Albert A. Southwick and introduced in 1909. It is a simple but elegant pattern with a square ended terminal which gently goes into a point at the top of the stem. All three points are decorated with a simple leaf like embellishment. The stem is a continuation of the lines that surround the terminal which open onto the shoulder. Southwick also designed Winthrop for Tiffany.

Two Piece Salad Set (9 7/8 inches)

Ice Cream Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Individual Salad Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Solid Macaroni Server (9 1/2 inches)