Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2016-01-10

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, January 15, 2016

Gadroonette by Manchester

The term "Gadroon" is defined as "An ornamental band, used especially in silverwork, embellished with fluting, reeding, or another continuous pattern", ergo the name of Manchester's pattern Gadroonette introduced in 1938.

Small Chipped Beef Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Youth Tea Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Tomato Server (8 1/4 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Wellesley by International

Wellesley by International introduced in 1912 is a floral motif pattern with a design of (what looks to me like) daisies.

Bon Bon Tongs (3 7/8 inches)

Fruit/Orange Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Two Piece Steak Carving Set

Monday, January 11, 2016

Venetian by Wood and Hughes

Wood and Hughes introduced their Venetian pattern in 1875. Charles F. Richers designed the pattern. Richers also designed Wood and Hughes' Angelo (1874) pattern. Venetian is a pattern in the old style of a flat handle which an etched design.

Preserve Spoon (7 3/8 inches)

Click to Enlarge

Flat Handle Master Butter Knife (7 3/8 inches)

Click to Enlarge