Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-10-11

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, October 16, 2015

Quirinale by Buccallati

Quirinale by Buccallati is a simple but elegant pattern named, I assume, after Palazzo del Quirinale, one of the three current official residencies of the President of Italy.

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (6 1/4 inches)

Fork (8 1/4 inches)

Large Fish Serving Fork (9 inches)

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Fish Serving Set - Part 3

Once again I post on the elegant and usually expensive Fish Serving Set. As I mentioned in an earlier post, these pieces are large and lovely. Fish was a favorite food of the Victorians and these two pieces assisted the footman as he served each diner at his (or her) plate.

Raleigh by Alvin

Renaissance by Dominick and Haff

Versailles by Gorham

Virginiana by Gorham

Monday, October 12, 2015

Ice Cream Server Part 2

The Ice Cream Server, as I have posted on before, is a lovely elegant piece. Usually the blade is decorated is a design in keeping with the pattern.

Chrysanthemum by Durgin (Large 10 1/8 inches)