Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2014-10-12

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, October 17, 2014

William and Mary by Lunt

Lunt introduced their William and Mary pattern in 1921. It was designed by Frederick W. Koonz. He (Koonz) also designed the patterns: Modern Victorian (1931), American Victorian (1941), and Charles II for Lunt. I could find a reference to a William and Mary pattern by CJ Vander but no examples nor any other information. Lunt's William and Mary pattern is extremely simple with a very thin decorated edge around the entire stem from the shoulder to the terminal and back.

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Small Tomato Server (7 5/8 inches)

Cracker Spoon (7 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Kings II by JE Caldwell / Gorham

Kings II was originally introduced by JE Caldwell in 1885 then later continued to be offered by Gorham after Caldwell was bought by Gorham.

Oval Soup Spoon (7 1/4 inches)

Knife with Bolster ( 10 5/8 inches)

Monday, October 13, 2014

Candlelight by Towle

Harold E. Nock designed Candlelight for Towle in 1934. He also designed Royal Windsor (1935), Virginia Carvel (1919), Rambler Rose (1937), and Chased Diana (1925). This pattern has the lines of a more modern pattern. A plain straight panel runs from the shoulder to the tip of the terminal, along both sides of which is a delicate design of leaves and small blossoms.

Iced Teaspoon (8 1/8 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Small Tomato Server (6 1/2 inches)

Hollow Handle Cheese Pick (7 3/4 inches)