Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-07-28

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, August 2, 2013

Ballet (Silver Rose) by Weidlich

Weidlich introduced this pattern in 1935, initially as Silver Rose, then later changed the pattern's name to Ballet. It has a heavy embellishment of floral blossoms at the base of the terminal and the top of the shoulder of each piece. There is a lovely treatment to the edge of the terminal.

Lemon Fork (5 1/8 inches)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Large Joint Holder (9 inches)

Large Joint/Roast Holder Fork

Straight Handle Baby Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Sherbet Spoons

Why they called "Sherbet" spoons and "Sherbert" servers is beyond me, but they are. I posted on Sherbert Servers earlier. Here are some examples of Sherbet Spoons. Unlike the Sorbet Spoons mentioned in an earlier post, Sherbet Spoons have a round bowl with no scalloped edge.

George and Martha Washington by Westmorland (5 1/2 inches)

New King by Dominick and Haff (4 3/4 inches)

Monticello by Lunt (5 inches)

Madam Jumel by Whiting (5 inches)

Monday, July 29, 2013

Wedgwood by International

The pattern Wedgewood was designed by Alfred G. Kintz for International Silver in 1924. Personally, I find the pattern to look very old. The design is elegant and very busy but the detail is minute.

Place Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Short Handled Olive Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Master Butter Knife (7 1/4 inches)

Gravy Ladle (6 5/8 inches)