Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-08-31

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, September 5, 2014

Romance of the Sea by Wallace

Romance of the Sea by Wallace is yet another pattern designed by William Warren (who also designed Rose Point, Sir Christopher, Grand Baroque and Orchid Elegance).This is another example of Warren's excellent work. He can bring the memory of the great art nouveau period to a sterling pattern even in the 1950's when most patterns are bland and trying to stay modest. The lovely wave motif on the tip of the terminal and the design on the shoulder of the pieces speak for themselves.

Cocktail Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Solid Jelly Server (6 1/2 inches)

Steak Knife ( 9 inches)

Sugar Tongs (4 inches)

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Orchid Elegance by Wallace

Wallace introduced their Orchid Elegance pattern in 1956. It is one on many sterling flatware patterns named "Orchid". It is also one the patterns designed for Wallace by William Warren. Other patterns designed by him include Rose Point, Sir Christopher, his pièce de résistance Grand Baroque . For a modern pattern this one is much more beautiful than most. The orchid on the end is reminisce of the art nouveau patterns of the height of sterling design. The clean lines with the subtle twist of the stem and lines on the different pieces set it apart from the modern very plain pieces of the 50's.

Infant Feeding Spoon ( 5 1/2 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (9 1/4 inches)

Sugar Tongs (4 1/4 inches)

Butter Spreader (6 1/4 inches)

Monday, September 1, 2014

Stradivari by Wallace

Wallace introduced their Stradivari pattern in 1937. The design is fairly simple with the only elements being on the edge of the terminal and on the tip. The Bon Bon Spoon does have a delightful addition to the shoulder of the bowl and interesting tidbit; note the two versions of the Bon Bon Spoon, both being the same length but one an eleven pierce and the other 18.

Bon Bon Spoon (5 1/2 inches) (18 pierce)

Bon Bon Spoon Solid