Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-07-05

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, July 10, 2015

Hampton by Wallace

A third Hampton pattern, this one was designed by Henry L. Wallace and introduced by Wallace in 1904. Henry Wallace also designed Wallace's Rose (1898) pattern.

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Lasagna Server (9 1/2 inches)

Berry Spoon (9 1/8 inches)

Master Butter Knife (7 1/2 inches)

Hampton by Alvin

Another Hampton pattern, this one by Alvin was introduced in 1910. Once again this is a simple pattern with only a single edge encircling the stem and terminal. And the terminal being a simple four sided design.

Bouillon Soup Spoon (5 inches)

Olive Spoon (6 inches)

Two Tine Olive Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Tomato Server (7 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Hampton by Tiffany

Several companies, including Alvin, Wallace, Gorham, and Towle had patterns named 'Hampton'. Tiffany introduced their Hampton pattern in 1934. It was designed by Charles B. Blake. Tiffany's Palmatte pattern (1947) was also designed by Blake. It is a fairly calean simple pattern with a plain stem and a flared terminal adorned with several horizontal lines.

Salad Fork (6 7 /8 inches)

Sugar Tongs (4 1/8 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 5/8 inches)

Monday, July 6, 2015

Greenbrier by Gorham

Gorham introduced Greenbrier in 1938. It is a fairly simple pattern designed by J. Russell Price. Price also designed King Edward for Gorham in 1936 and , Chapel Bells for Alvin in 1939. While the design of Chapel Bells is similar to that of Greenbrier, King Edward is much more ornate.

Cucumber Server (6 1/2 inches)

Cake Breaker (11 1/8 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (8 7/8 inches)

Infant Feeding Spoon (5 5/8 inches)