Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2019-08-04

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 9, 2019

Fish Place Knife

The Fish Place Knife is the piece used with the Fish Fork when eating fish.

Grande Baroque by Wallace (8 5/8 inches)

Strasbourg by Gorham (8 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Oyster Ladle

Of all the servers, the Oyster Ladle is one of the rarer. Given the sizes shown here, I'm not sure how one differentiates this ladle from all the other types.

Royal Danish by International (9 7/8 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)

Francis I by Reed and Barton (11 1/2 inches)

Monday, August 5, 2019

Berry Scoop

The Berry Serving Scoop is a rare and rather expensive piece. One can find the piece in a few patterns for around $150, however most are priced around $800

Cluny by Gorham (1880) (8 3/4 inches)

Vine by Tiffany (1872) (9 5/8 inches)

Persian by Tiffany (1872) (9 1/2 inches)

Italian by Tiffany (1870) (9 5/8 inches)