Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-07-20

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, July 25, 2014

Abbottsford by International

International introduced Abbottsford in 1907. The pattern is a unique design of a terminal surrounded by leaves with an oval suitable for engraving. The stem is several straight lines that are decorated with 3 cross pieces as if they were bundles being corded together.

Fish Fork (7 inches)

Small Sugar Sifter (5 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Richmond by Alvin

A second Richmond pattern is that introduced b Alvin in 1929. This design is quite simple with a beaded edge and a pointed terminal with a small star like symbol on it.

Fruit Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Hollow Handled Knife (9 3/4 inches)

Old Style Pickle Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Bob Bon Spoon (4 3/8 inches)

Monday, July 21, 2014

Richmond by Towle

There are at least 3 Richmond patterns. This is the one by Towle. It was introduced in 1901. While the pattern itself is decorative and attractive with a balanced flourish on the tip of the terminal, double edge around the stem and terminal, and detail at the bottom of the stem, it is nothing special. However, the serving pieces are exquisite. The details on the tine on the butter pick, the shoulder and tines on the beef fork, and the design on the berry spoon (which is an enlargement of the flourish on the tip of the terminal) turn this into a simply beautiful pattern by Towle.

One Tine Butter Pick (7 1/2 inches)

Medium Chipped Beef Fork (7 3/8 inches)

Hollow Handled Dinner Knife (9 1/4 inches)

Small Berry Spoon (8 inches)