Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2017-02-12

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, February 17, 2017

Orleans by Towle

Yet another "Orleans" pattern. This one by Towle introduced in 1890. The design is one of lovely scroll work.

Sugar Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Orleans by Frank Whiting

Watson introduced their Orleans pattern in 1915, and in 1936 International introduced their Orleans pattern. Not to add to the confusion, earlier in 1892, Frank Whiting had introduced an Orleans pattern which personally I find much prettier than the other two.

Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)