Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-10-06

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, October 11, 2013

Ariel by Wendell

Airel was introduced by Wendell in 1895. The terminal of each piece in adorned with the motif of different poses of cherubs and floral designs. The flora descend half way down the stem with a variation of treatment to the stem. It makes for a lovely pattern.

Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Ice Cream Slicer (10 3/8 inches)

Five O'Clock Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Blunt Hollow Knife (8 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Navarre by Lunt

I recently purchased my first piece in this pattern and the pictures do not do it justice. Navarre was introduced by Lunt in 1893 as one of their Art Nouveau patterns. Note the detail and embellishment on the Vegetable Serving Spoon.

Fruit/ Orange Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Vegetable Serving Spoon (8 3/8 inches)

Monday, October 7, 2013

Towle Numbers 12, 13, 16, and 17

Here are four patterns by Towle that I find divine I put them together because I could only find examples of one or two pieces in each pattern. My guess is these are patterns are not complete, in that only a few pieces were made in each pattern. Examples would be Demitasse spoons, Cocktail Forks, Tongs, etc.

Number 12 -Demitasse Spoon (3 3/4 inches)
Demitasse Spoon in the 12 (sterling) pattern by Towle

Demitasse Spoon in the 12 (sterling) pattern by Towle

Number 13 - Demitasse Spoon ( 3 7/8 inches)

Demitasse Spoon in the 13 (sterling) pattern by Towle

Number 16 - Demitasse Spoon ( 3 7/8 inches)

Demitasse Spoon in the 16 (sterling) pattern by Towle

Number 17 - Olive Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Olive Fork in the 17 (sterling) pattern by Towle