Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-05-10

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, May 15, 2015

Corinthian by Mount Vernon

There are several patterns named Corinthian. This is Mount Vernon's version. I found conflicting introduction dates for this pattern of 1891 and 1902. The design has flourishes of leaves at the top of the stem and the top of the terminal.

Preserve Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Medium Cold Meat Fork (8 1/4 inches)

Oyster Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Wellington by Alvin

Not to be confused with Durgin's pattern by the same name, Alvin introduced their Wellington pattern in 1897. This pattern is more ornate than that of Durgin's.

Youth Tea Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Monday, May 11, 2015

Wellington by Durgin

Wellington by Durgin (not to be confused with Wellington by Alvin) was introduced in 1908. It is a simple but elegant pattern.

Sugar Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Large Pie Knife (9 1/2 inches)

Fruit Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Iced Teaspoon (7 5/8 inches)