Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-01-11

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, January 16, 2015

Alice by Fessenden

Silas H. Manchester designed Alice for Fessenden in 1895. It is a lovely pattern described as "Dots and Flowers", very befitting for a lady. The detail on the serving pieces is elegant.

Long Handled Olive Spoon (6 3/4 inches)

Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)

Preserve Spoon (7 5/8 inches)

Large Sardine Serving Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Grape by Dominick and Half

Grape was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1895 and was designed by Gilbert L. Crowell Jr. He also designed the patterns Victoria, Gothic, Basket of Flowers, Cupid, and Rococo for Dominick and Haff. The design speaks for itself.

Teaspoon (6 inches)

Monday, January 12, 2015

Irving aka Old Atlanta by Wallace

In 1899 Wallace introduced their Irving pattern. The pattern was discontinued several years later. However in 1960 Wallace reintroduced the same pattern under the name of Old Atlanta which has since also been discontinued. The design itself is one of scrolls around the edges.

Fork (7 1/2 inches

Roast Carving Fork (11 inches)

Lettuce Serving Spoon (8 1/4 inches)