Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-04-06

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 11, 2014

Preserve Spoon (Part 3)

Once again, as I have posted about earlier, here is the Preserve Spoon. It can usually be differentiated from the jelly spoon by its more oblong bowl. You can see in the Raphael piece by Alvin, although the bowl is more rounded, it still has an oblong shape.

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (7 3/4 inches)

Craftsman by Towle ( inches)

Raphael by Alvin (7 3/8 inches)

Princess by Watson (7 inches)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Master Salt Spoon (Part 2)

As I posted earlier the Master Salt Spoon is much larger than its little brother the Salt Spoon. I still find them delightful pieces, and can usually found in most patterns.

English King by Tiffany (3 1/2 inches)

Fairfax by Durgin ( 3 3/4 inches)

Mount Vernon by Lunt (4 inches)

Meadow Rose by Walace (3 1/8 inches)

Monday, April 7, 2014

Lilly (88) by Gorham

Gorham's pattern Lilly, also called 88, was introduced in 1870 and only discontinued in 1991. This is another Gorham pattern having the design on a large terminal with a relatively small thin stem only adorned with a simple element toward the shoulder. The terminal of this pattern is adorned with an intricate design of lily of the valley and other elements in a three dimensional motif. All this makes these pieces more like works of art more than eating utensils.

Oyster Ladle (11 inches)

Ice Cream Slicer (8 7/8 inches)