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?
As I have posted before, in addition to their flatware and holloware, Gorham has a set of sterling Christmas ornaments. Here are some examples of these.
Gorham produces a different sterling Christmas Tree ornament each year using the design of their ever popular Chantilly pattern. I have posted on these before. Here are some more examples of past years.
Gorham produces a different sterling Christmas Tree ornament each year. This series is relatively new, having just started in 2017. 2019 Christmas Tree 2017
Gorham is not the only company that produces Christmas Cross Ornament. Here are a few examples of the Reed and Barton's Christmas Cross Ornaments. Christmas Cross (1971) 1982, 1993 2019, 1972 1977 1980 Christmas Cross (2019)
Ironically, I find that patterns that companies do not give an elaborate name to but rather just a number are often the most lovely patterns. A prime example is Wendell's WND15 pattern which is rococco in design. Demitasse Spoon (4 1/4 inches)
New King by Wood and Hughes was introduced in 1860. Its design very simliar to the pattern of the same name by Dominick and Haff (1898) which is also known as Queens by Birks that I posted about earlier.
New King by Wood and Hughes
New King by Dominick and Haff (aka Queens by Birks)