Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2017-08-13

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, August 18, 2017

French Scroll by Alvin

In 1953 Alvin introduced their French Scroll pattern.

Bar Knife (8 1/8 inches)

Hollow Handle Fish Fork (7 inches)

Infant Feeding Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Maryland by Alvin

With so many "Maryland" patterns around, it may get confusing about the names but designs are definitely different. Other patterns include Maryland by Gorham and Old Maryland by Kirk. I also found a "Maryland" pattern listed by Machester, but it was the same design as Alvin's Maryland pattern that was introduced in 1910.

Luncheon Fork (6 7/8 inches)