Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2017-10-15

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, October 20, 2017

Fleur de Lis by Newburyport

Another Fleur de Lis pattern, this is Newburyport's Fleur de Lis pattern. Like Durgin's pattern of the same name it has the design of the name on the terminal, but with a beaded edge.

Lettuce Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Long Handle Chocolate Muddler Spoon (7 1/8 inches)

Fork (7 3/8 inches)

Monday, October 16, 2017

Essex by Durgin

Essex is a popular sterling pattern name. I posted on Essex by Knowles and Essex by Towle earlier. The following are examples of Essex by Durgin that dates back to 1911.

Bon Bon Tongs (3 3/4 inches)

Pastry Server (8 7/8 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 1/8 inches)