Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-08-16

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, August 21, 2015

Raleigh by Alvin

Raleigh is a simple pattern with a beaded edge and a design on the tip on the terminal. Alvin introduced the pattern in 1900.

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Jam Spoon (7 1/8 inches)

Egg Spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Cucumber Server (6 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Jelly Cake Server (Solid) (Part 3)

I posted on the Solid Jelly Cake Server earlier.

La Parisienne by Reed and Barton (10 1/2 inches)

Old Orange Blossom by Alvin (9 1/4 inches)

Raleigh by Alvin (8 3/4 inches)

Old Margaret by International (8 1/8 inches)

Monday, August 17, 2015

Queens by Birks AKA New King by Dominick and Haff

Once again we have a pattern that changed its name somewhere along the way. New King was introduced in 1898 by Dominick and Haff. I do not know if Queens was introduced by Birks prior or the opposite. Whatever the case, the pattern by either name is substantial and lovely.

Tomato Server (7 1/8 inches)

Salad Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Cheese Server (6 1/2 inches)