Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-08-18

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 23, 2013

Castilian by Tiffany

Tiffany introduced Castilian in 1929. The pattern was designed by Authur Leroy Barney. Barney is probably most well known for Tiffany's Indian pattern which was introduced in 1885. Castilian is a fairly simple pattern for Tiffany and was discontinued in 1996.

Petit Fours Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Salad Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Individual Salad Fork

Long Meat Serving Fork (9 inches)

Large Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Pie and Cake Server (10 5/8 inches)

Pie And Cake Server With Stainless Blade

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Patterns Named "Bead"

It is always interesting to see the variations on a name. Here are several patterns by different companies all with the name Bead.

Bead by Frank Smith (1917) (Large Sardine Serving Fork)

Bead by Whiting (1880) (Bon Bon Spoon)

Bead by Durgin (1893) (Large Lettuce Serving Fork)

Bead by Gorham (Seafood Fork)

Bead by Polhemus (1850) (Fruit Fork)

Individual Solid Fruit Fork

Bead by Watson (1890) (Demitasse Spoon)

Sorrento by Alvin

A very ornate pattern with a rich design, Sorrento was introduced by Alvin in 1905. It is most likely a pattern you will not see often.

One Tine Butter Pick (6 3/4 inches)

Cream Ladle (5 1/2 inches)

Claret Ladle (13 1/2 inches)

Monday, August 19, 2013

Intaglio by Reed and Barton

Intaglio is a multi-relief pattern designed by Charles A. Bennett for Reed and Barton and introduced in 1905. Designs on the different pieces include poppies, peonies, wild roses, nectarines, fleur de lis, wild vines, and petunias, making it a very unique and garden like pattern.

Orange Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Flat Handle Master Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Cream Ladle (5 3/8 inches)

Cream Ladle, Solid Piece

Lemon Fork (4 3/4 inches)

Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)