Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2015-11-15

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, November 20, 2015

Springtime by International

International introduced Springtime in 1935. It was co-designed by Alfred G. Kintz and Frederick W. Stark. Kintz also designed Wedgewood (1924) and Empress (1932) for International. Stark designed Fontaine in 1924 for the company.

Lemon Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Tomato Server (7 7/8 inches)

Oval Soup Spoon (7 1/4 inches)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Gorham's Description of Their Pattern The Florentine

Several years ago I posted on Gorham's Florentine pattern. Recently I came across a copy of the Gorham Handbook : Sterling Silver Spoons and Forks which is a reproduction of the original such handbook distributed by the Gorham company in 1909. In it they give a description of many of their more popular (and their favorite) patterns.

Their description of "The Florentine" is:

"For the motif of the Florentine pattern we are indebted to the great Renaissance movement in the late sixteenth century, when Italy gave to the world the most beautiful examples of architecture and decorations known as the Italian Renaissance, which for richness and grandeur has never been excelled. Typical of the beauty of this Italian style in both form and enrichment, the Florentine pattern meets the demand for a pattern suited to the taste of those who admire an elegant and massive style. In its outline and decoration it has every essential of a heavy weight ornate spoon."

Monday, November 16, 2015

Old Master by Towle

Old Master is one of Towle's most popular patters. It was introduced in 1942 and designed Harold Nock. Patterns also credited to Nock include: Old Lace (1939), D'Orleans (1932), Candlelight (1934), Royal Windsor (1935), Virginia Carvel (1919), Rambler Rose (1937), Chased Diana (1925), Lady Constance, and Lady Mary - all for Towle.

Cream Soup Spoon (6 1/4 inches)

Ice Serving Tongs (8 3/8 inches)

Cracker Spoon (8 inches)

Seafood Fork (5 3/4 inches)