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, June 10, 2016

Trianon by International

Another of the International patterns designed by Alfred G. Kintz, Trianon, introduced in 1921, joins the list of  Pantheon (1920)Wedgewood (1924), Trousseau (1934), Springtime (1935), Empress (1935), Splendor (1939), Royal Danish (1939),  and Joan of Arc (1940) that Kintz designed.


Orange Spoon (6 inches)


Pea Serving spoon (8 1/2 inches)



Egg Server (9 inches)


Fork (7 1/4 inches)



Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Mothers Engraved by Gorham

Mothers Engraved is another old pattern by Gorham dating back to 1875. The design is a simple laurel wreath on the terminal of  Mothers-Old (1875) pattern also by Gorham which had no decoration at all. 


Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)




Fork (7 inches)




Teaspoon (5 5/8 inches)

Monday, June 6, 2016

Trumbull by International

In 1908 International introduced their Trumbull pattern with a simple beaded design.


Sugar Spoon (6 inches)




One Tine Butter Pick (6 1/8 inches)




Fish Fork (7 inches)