Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-03-30

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, April 4, 2014

Imperial by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Imperial pattern in 1891. If you look closely you can see the same basic lines in this design as those in Gorham's Chantilly, King George, and Poppy to name a few. The design is simple with just a plain terminal and stem edged with a double line. An embellishment separates the terminal from the stem.

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Individual Salad/Pastry Fork

Flat Handled Butter Spreader (5 3/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Bouillon Soup Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Bouillon)

Small Sugar Sifter (5 3/4 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Small Sugar Sifter

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Grecian by Gorham

Grecian is one of Gorham's older patterns, introduced in 1861. The design is different from the traditional ones in that it has a simple thin stem with the pattern itself being the terminal. The design on the terminal resembles a fan of feathers.

Teaspoon ( 5 7/8 inches)

Large Sugar Sifter (7 3/8 inches)

Nut Pick (5 inches)

Monday, March 31, 2014

Worthington by Kirk Stieff

Worthington also known as Severn was introduced by Kirk Stieff in 1940. This design is reminiscent of art deco with straight lines, fans, and the like. It is a fairly unique pattern.

Cocktail Fork (5 3/4 inches)
Cocktail/seafood Fork

Large Sherbet Spoon ( 5 1/4 inches)

Solid Bon Bon Spoon ( 5 7/8 inches)
Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Cake Server (10 1/2 inches)
Pie And Cake Server With Stainless Blade