Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-07-26

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 31, 2015

Lady Clare by Baker Manchester

Baker Manchester introduced this lovely pattern, Lady Clare, in 1914. The design in one of vines and leaves.

Small Chipped Beef Fork (5 1/8 inches)

One Tine Butter Pick (6 inches)

Sugar Shell (5 1/4 inches)

Large Jelly Spoon (7b 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Egg Spoon (Part 3)

I have posted on this unique piece several times before. This is one of those pieces I doubt many folks use any more although I think they are lovely pieces.

John Hancock by Lunt (5 inches)

Baronial by Gorham (4 5/8 inches)

Old Colonial by Towle (5 1/8 inches)

Faneuil by Tiffany (4 3/4 inches)

Monday, July 27, 2015

Park Avenue by Manchester

Manchester introduced their Park Avenue pattern in 1931. The design itself is fairly simple, however the serving pieces are fairly ornate. Take the Cold Meat Serving Fork - I have never seen such an ornate piece. It looks to me more like a Tomato or Cucumber server in other patterns. Also note the unique style of the butter spreader - more modern than most 1931 patterns.

Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 1/2 inches)

Cream Soup Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (6 1/4 inches)

Pie Server (9 5/8 inches)