Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-07-14

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, July 19, 2013

Bread Fork

Not to be confused with the Toast Serving Fork, the Bread Fork may look similar (and may indeed be the same piece in some patterns), however it tends to be a smaller piece.

Old Colonial by Towle (7 1/4 inches)

Richelieu by Tiffany (6 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver (Pattern 475) (6 3/8 inches)

Lily of the Valley by Whiting

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Geneva by Campbell Metcalf

Campbell-Metcalf introduced Geneva in 1895 and it is a lovely pattern with a design of scrolls. Although the design is simple and the overall effect is quite elegant.

Ice Cream Fork (5 1/4 inches)

One Tine Butter Pick (6 inches)

Solid Almond Scoop (5 1/2 inches)

Almond Scoop, Solid Piece in the Geneva (strl,1895) pattern by Campbell-Metcalf

Monday, July 15, 2013

Exposition/Tomato by Tiffany

You say Tomato, I say Exposition. Whatever one calls this lovely Tiffany pattern, it was designed by Olaf Wilford. I cannot find a year or any more information about this pattern or any other patterns designed by Wilford for Tiffany from any of my Tiffany sources. Every reference for the pattern does mention both names. So the mystery lives on.

Salad Serving Spoon (9 3/4 inches)
Salad Serving Spoon, Solid Piece

Pastry Server (12 1/8) inches
Pastry Server, Solid Piece

Solid Casserole Spoon (9 7/8 inches)

Large Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon