Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-05-17

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 22, 2015

Warwick by Wallace

In 1914 Wallace introduced their Warwick pattern. Unlike the traditional oval shaped terminal, this pattern has a five sided terminal with an engraved design carved within a double line edge.

Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Warwick by International

John T. Clulee designed International's Warwick pattern in 1898. Clulee also designed Jeane d'Arc (1905), Frontenac (1903), Kenilworth (1887) and Stratford (1902) for International. It is a busy but not ornate design with attention paid to the shoulders of the pieces.

Fruit Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Salad Serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)

Chipped Beef Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Monday, May 18, 2015

Corinthian by Shielber

George Shielbler's Corinthian was introduced in 1870 and is quite a unique pattern. The terminal fans out with a floral and feather design.

Large Soup Ladle (13 3/8 inches)

Preserve Spoon (8 5/8 inches)

Mount Vernon Corinthian (Sterling,1891) Preserve Spoon

Sugar Shell (5 7/8 inches)

Dinner Fork (7 1/8 inches)