Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-01-26

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 31, 2014

Kenilworth by International

John T. Clulee designed Kenilworth for International in 1887. Clulee also designed Stratford for International. A lovely pattern with a rich ornate design on the tip of the terminal that moves into a heavy bead like pattern down either side of the stem. There is a lovely touch at the base of the stem and the shoulders of each piece are edged with a heavy almost brocade like pattern. Altogether, a substantive, yet pretty pattern. One that has aged well.

Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

International Silver Kenilworth (Sterling,1887, Orange Spoon

International Silver Kenilworth (Sterling,1887, Orange Spoon

Strawberry Fork ( 4 5/8 inches)

International Silver Kenilworth (Sterling,1887, Strawberry Fork

Small Sugar Tongs (3 7/8 inches)

International Silver Kenilworth (Sterling,1887, Small Sugar Tongs

Knife

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Egyptian by Whiting

Whiting introduced the pattern Egyptian in 1875. What a neat pattern with the motif of a Pharaoh on the tip of the terminal followed by an ancient looking design on the stem. The bowl of the Vegetable Spoon has what appears to be a design of palm fronds.

Master Butter Knife (7 1/8 inches)
Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Vegetable Serving Spoon (8 3/4 inches)

Solid Bright Cut Vegetable Serving Spoon

Ice Cream Fork (6 inches)

Monday, January 27, 2014

Junior Rococo by Mauser-Wendell

Junior Rococo was introduced by Mauser-Wendell in 1896. The pattern is a pretty design with lines resembling those of La Reine by Reed and Barton (1893), Louis XV by Whiting (1891), Old English by Towle (1892), and George III by Frank Whiting (1891). This is the first time I have gone back and found a (slight) design trend within a time frame. And, these are by different companies with different designers. That said, perhaps Junior Rococo is the one whose name more aptly describes the design. It does follow the lines of a Rococo piece of furniture.

Fruit Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Fruit/orange Spoon

Pickle Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Old Style Pickle Fork

Sugar Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Bright Cut Bowl Sugar Spoon