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?

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Tudor by Lunt

Lunt's Tudor pattern (1900) is a lovely pattern with a sweet design of roses at the edge of the terminal.  

Pierced Bowl Olive Spoon (6 inches)



Fork (7 1/2 inches)




Monday, December 28, 2015

Duke of York by Whiting

Whiting's Duke of York pattern dates back to 1900. It is a lovely pattern, an example of that period.




Fruit/Orange Spoon (5 3/8 inches)



Cream Ladle (5 1/2 inches)



Fish Knife (8 inches)




Old Style Pickle Fork (6 inches)




Friday, December 25, 2015

Gorham Christmas Cross Ornaments

Each year Gorham produces a sterling Christmas ornament in the shape of a cross using the design of one of their patterns. These are lovely. I have two friends who have Christmas trees they decorate only with sterling ornaments, including some of these. Here are some examples of past ornaments.
Happy Holidays!!!!


Melrose  (2002)




Rose Tiara (2003)



Chantilly (1998)





Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Gorham Christmas Ornaments

In addition to their flatware and holloware, Gorham has a set of sterling Christmas ornaments. Here are some examples of these.

Old World Santa (3 3/4 inches)  





Peace Dove




Wise Men (3 1/4 inches)




Monday, December 21, 2015

Old Charleston by International

International introduced its Old Charleston pattern in 1951. It was designed by Lillian V. M. Helander. In 1952 Helander designed Spring Glory for International.




Two Piece Baby Set




Roast Carving Fork




Cocktail Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Friday, December 18, 2015

Orleans by International / Century

International (Century) introduced Orleans in 1936.



Master Butter Knife (7 inches)



Teaspoon (6 1/8 inches)




Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Granado by Lunt

Lunt introduced Granado in 1929. It was designed by Frederick W. Koonz who also designed Canterbury Bell (1952),  American Directoire (1931), American Victorian (1941), Modern Victorian (1931), Charles II (1934), and  William and Mary (1921) for Lunt.


One Tine Butter Pick





Sugar Tongs (4 inches)




Cream Soup Spoon (6 1/2 inches)




Old Style Pickle Fork (5 5/8 inches)



Monday, December 14, 2015

Virginia by Lunt

Lunt introduced their Virginia pattern in 1910. The pattern has a very unique design.

Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/8 inches)



Flat Handled Master Butter Knife (7 inches)



Five O'Clock Teaspoon (5 3/8 inches)




French Hollow Handle Knife (8 5/8 inches)

Friday, December 11, 2015

Ice Cream Server Part 3

The Ice Cream Server is a large fairly ornate piece (in most patterns) that I have posted on earlier. Here are some more examples. Note the different sizes and shapes of the blade as well as the ornamentation.


Old English by Towle (9 5/8 inches)




Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (10 1/2 inches)



St. Dunstan by Tiffany (11 3/8 inches)



Lily of the Valley by Whiting  (9 7/8 inches)







Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Joan of Arc by International

International introduced Joan of Arc in 1940. It was designed by Alfred G. Kintz who also designed Empress (1932), Springtime (1935), and Wedgwood (1924)for the company. This pattern should not be confused with International's Jeanne d'arc pattern they introduced in 1905 that designed by John T. Clulee.


Salad Fork (6 1/8 inches)



Individual Salt Spoon (2 3/8 inches)




Fruit Knife (6 7/8 inches)




Large Jelly Server (6 3/8 inches)

Monday, December 7, 2015

Priscilla by Lunt

Lunt introduced Priscilla in 1897. It is a simple pattern with a beaded edge and a simple element at the top of the terminal.


Cream Ladle (5 3/8 inches)



Flat Handle Butter Knife ( 5 3/8 inches)







Friday, December 4, 2015

Nellie Custis by Lunt

Lunt introduced Nellie Custis in 1915. My assumption is that the pattern was named for the youngest of Martha Washington's three granddaughters. Nellie's father was the son from Martha's first marriage.  The pattern has a lovely design with all the adornment being in the lower half of the stem which gives the illusion of the design being in the middle of each piece. It makes for a quite elegant look. 

George C. Lunt designed this pattern. He also designed John Hancock (1911) and Chatelaine (1896) for the Lunt Company.


Sugar Sifter (5 1/4 inches)



Oval Soup Spoon  (7 1/8 inches)



Strawberry Fork (4 7/8 inches)




Old French Hollow Knife (8 7/8 inches)



Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Monday, November 30, 2015

Riviera by International

International introduced their Riviera pattern in 1936. 

Bouillon Soup (5 1/2 inches)



Steak Carving Knife (10 inches)



Tomato Server (8 inches)




Cocktail Fork (5 1/2 inches)





Friday, November 27, 2015

Buckingham by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Buckingham pattern in 1909. The lines on the pattern are very similar to their most popular Chantilly pattern.


Salad Fork (6 3/8 inches)


Ramekin Fork (4 3/4 inches)



Olive Fork (5 1/2 inches)



Sugar Spoon (6 inches)