Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-11-17

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 22, 2013

Telephone Dialer

This piece falls under the category, "You Just Never Know". This is the sterling silver Telephone Dialer - the perfect gift for that germaphobe or person on your list who has everything. Unfortunately, I do not think you will find them in every pattern.

Cordis by Tiffany (3 inches)

Ancestry by Weidlich (4 inches)

Bamboo by Tiffany (3 inches)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Ancestry by Weidlich

Weidlich introduced Ancestry in 1940. The design is very similar to the traditional lines of Gorham's Chantilly with the exception of the floral motif added to the top of the stem and the fleur de lis at the base of the stem. It is a very attractive pattern.

Lemon Fork (5 1/8 inches)

Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Individual Fruit Knife (7 inches)

Monday, November 18, 2013

Chatelaine by Lunt

George C. Lunt himself designed this pattern in 1896. Chatelaine is a simple, yet pretty pattern. There is a fan of fronds that extends from the top of the terminal and down the sides of the terminal just past the top of the stem are edged with leaves that look as if they are curled over from the back of the piece. The shoulder of the one serving piece I show is heavily adorned.

Large Sherbet Spoon (5 inches)

Medium Chipped Beef Fork (7 inches)

Sardine Serving Fork (4 7/8 inches)

Large Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

Cream Ladle (5 3/8 inches)

Cream Ladle, Solid Piece