Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-01-05

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, January 10, 2014

Louis XV by Whiting

Four silver companies produced patterns named Louis XV, this is the pattern of that name by Whiting. It was introduced in 1891. The pattern is that of a simple Rococo style.

Large Chocolate Spoon

Fruit Knife
Individual Solid Fruit Knife

Ice Cream Fork
Fork-Ice Cream

Bon Bon Tongs

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Madame Royale by Durgin

Durgin introduced Madame Royale in 1897. The design has flowers at the tip of the terminal and a delicate braid outlining the terminal and then down the center of the stem. Some of the serving pieces have ornate decorations of leaves coming down from the shoulder into the bowl that make a quiet pattern into a rather eloquent one. This makes for a beautiful pattern, typical of a Durgin design.

Pie Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Individual Pie Fork

Cream Ladle ( 5 5/8 inches)

Cream Ladle, Solid Piece

Large Sardine Serving Fork (6 3/8 inches)

Large Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

Short Handle Olive Spoon (6 1/8 inches)
Pierced Bowl Short Handle Olive Spoon

Monday, January 6, 2014

La Reine by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton introduced La Reine in 1893. The pattern has a curled motif on the top of the terminal, a furled leaf treatment to the edge of the terminal and an interesting design of leaves wrapped around the edges down the stem. The serving pieces are intricate and ornate. This is truly a lovely pattern.

Vegetable Serving Fork (9 1/4 inches)

Jelly Cake Server (9 7/8 inches)

Jelly/cake Server

Salad Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Small Chipped Beef Server ( 6 1/2 inches)