Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-10-27

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, November 1, 2013

Rose by Mount Vernon

There are at least 175 patterns with Rose in their name (Wedding Rose, Wild Rose, Tea Rose, Rose Bud, just a few examples) and 7 alone simply named "Rose". That said, Mount Vernon's Rose, which they introduced in 1910, exhibits a wonderful use of the Rose motif. There is a rose in full bloom with buds at the end of the terminal, leaving a nice area suitable for engraving. Then the top of the stem is adorned with another rose blossom with leaves and the vine trailing down the stem to the top of the shoulder. This makes for a beautiful romantic piece, typical of the Edwardian period.

Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Pie Server (10 5/8 inches)

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Autumn by Frank Whiting

Autumn by Frank Whiting was introduced in 1888. It is a lovely ornate pattern with a design of leaves and fruits and berries on the terminal and a vine trailing off down the top of the stem.

Demitasse Spoon (3 5/8 inches)

Small Berry Spoon

Monday, October 28, 2013

Princess by Shiebler

Shiebler introduced Princess in 1874. The terminal has a radiant fan like pattern surrounded by an area of small vines and leaves. The stem is decorated with a thin thin line that leads to the top of the shoulder where one finds another radiant fan. The pattern is stately but simple. At 139 years old, it has aged well.

Table Serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)
Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Old Style Pickle Fork (8 1/8 inches)