Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-01-12

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 17, 2014

King by Dominick and Haff

Dominick and Haff introduced King in 1880. This stately design with a double edge that runs down both sides of the piece from the top of each side of the terminal down the stem. A motif at the tip of the terminal resembles the feathers of the Prince of Wales - I do not know if the two are related at all. Altogether it is a stately design.

Cream Soup Spoon (5 5/8 inches)
Round Bowl Soup Spoon (cream Soup)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (5 5/8 inches)
Medium Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Pastry Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Small Carving Fork (8 5/8 inches)
Small Carving Fork W/sterling Guard

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Irian by Wallace

Henrik Hillbom designed Irian for Wallace and it was introduced in 1902. Hillbom went on to design the more well know pattern, Peony for Wallace in 1906. A majestic art nouveau design showing a dancing female figure on the terminal with a heavy design of flowers and leaves on the stem. A beautiful floral motif decorates the shoulders of the serving pieces.

French Hollow Handle Knife (9 5/8 inches)
Old French Hollow Knife With Bolster

Bon Bon Scoop (5 1/8 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (8 7/8 inches)
Salad Serving Fork, Solid Piece

Oval Soup Spoon (7 1/8 inches)
Dessert/oval Soup Spoon

Monday, January 13, 2014

La Rocaille by Reed and Barton

Another old pattern by Reed and Barton, La Rocaille was introduced in 1890. The scroll at the tip of the terminal that works it way down the side of the piece, crosses the top of the stem into a tight curl part way down the stem makes this a striking design. Flowers and leaves are also included in the work. The bowl of the Bon Bon Scoop is heavily embellished with details of flowers and leaves.

Master Salt Spoon (3 1/2 inches)

Solid Bon Bon Scoop (4 1/4 inches)

Reed & Barton La Rocaille (Sterling, 1890) Scoop-Bon Bon

Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)