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?

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Touraine by Gorham

 In 1917 Gorham introduced their Touraine pattern.


Bouillon Spoon (5 inches)



Luncheon Fork (7 inches)





Monday, December 28, 2020

Virginia 19 Engraved by Dominick and Haff

 Dominick and Haff's Virginia 19 Engraved pattern was introduced in 1912. It is an engraved variation of their Virginia pattern that is fairly simple.


Steel Rod Sharpener Knife (13 1/2 inches)





Friday, December 25, 2020

Songs Of Christmas by Wallace Part 2

As I posted last year, Wallace introduces an ornament depicting a Christmas Carol called Songs of Christmas. Here 

2010 Carol of the Bells


2008 I'll be Home for Christmas



2011 Winter Wonderland


2006 Let it Snow














Monday, December 21, 2020

Gorham's Sterling Star Ornaments

Every year the sterling companies produce several annual Sterling Ornaments each. I posted on this last year. Each design is unique. The star in the center of the ornament is surrounded by the design of a Gorham sterling pattern.


Buttercup (1998)



Chantilly (2001)


Strasbourg (2002)







Friday, December 18, 2020

Buccellati Sterling Christmas Ornaments (Part 2 )


Buccellati's Christmas ornaments are mixed metal, as in they are both gold and silver.

Wreath (1991)


Cherub (1992)


Fireplace (1994)



Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Wallace Grand Baroque Heart Ornament (Part 2)

In the  style of their Grand Baroque pattern, Wallace produces a different heart shaped ornament every year. Here are a few examples from years past. 


This year's (2020) Grand Baroque



2018 Bells



2014 Stockings







Monday, December 14, 2020

Towle Christmas Cross Ornaments

 Like Reed and Barton and Gorham, Towle introduces an annual Cross.

This Year's Cross (2020)


1996



1994







Colonial Antique by Dominick and Haff

 Domonick and Haff's Colonial Antique was introduced in 1923. Note the unique cut outs at the tip of the Ice Cream Fork and Bon Bon Spoon.


Ice Cream Fork (5 1/2 inches)


Dinner Fork (7 1/8 inches)


Bon Bon Spoon (5 1/4 inches)









Friday, December 11, 2020

Flowers of Christmas by Towle (Part 4)

 Towle produced their collection of "Flowers of Christmas" for several years. The last one was introduced in 1992. I also posted about these earlier.

Star of Bethlehem (1992)


Christmas Ivy (1989)

Chrysanthemum (1991)






 

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Gorham Snowflake Ornaments (Part 3)

For years, Gorham has produced a Snowflake Ornament. I have posted on them before. Here are a few  more examples from Christmases past. These pieces have held their value. They range from the $69 to the $190's. Unlike some other sterling ornament series, most of them have the date in the center.

This year's (2020) Gorham Snowflake Ornament

The 1981 Gorham Snowflake Ornaments


The 1985 Gorham Snow Flake Ornament.









Monday, December 7, 2020

Gorham Christmas Tree Ornaments (part 2)

 As I posted earlier, Gorham produces a different sterling Christmas Tree ornament each year.  This series is relatively new, having just started in 2017. 


This year's Tree Ornament (2020)

2018





Friday, December 4, 2020

Reed and Baron Christmas Cross (Part 3)

Reed and Barton introduces a Cross Ornament each year. Here are a  few examples of this year's and some from the past. I posted on these last year.


2020 (This year's ornament)


1985


1975


2012



Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Gorham Christmas Ornaments Part 3

It's December and that is time to turn our attention to Christmas Pieces. These particular Gorham ornaments are "unlimited" as in they are not dated for a limited supply. I posted on this collection earlier.

Angel with Trumpet


Angel with Lute




Schooner












Monday, November 30, 2020

Gold Tip by Gorham

 Gold Tip be Gorham is an extremely simple pattern, yet very elegant. It dates back to 1952.

Salad Serving Fork (9 1/8 inches)


Master Butter Knife (7 inches)



Oval Soup Spoon (7 inches)



Friday, November 27, 2020

Farnham by Gorham

 Gorham's Farnham pattern dates back to 1912.


Five O'Clock Spoon (3 1/2 inches)



Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Bedford by Gorham

 Another pattern from Gorham. Their Bedford pattern dates back to 1895.


Confection Spoon



Sugar Tongs (3 7/8 inches)






Bon Bon Spoon (4 3/8 inches)




Monday, November 23, 2020

Ball by Gorham

 Gorham's Ball pattern is both unique  and fairly hard to find.




Sugar Spoon (6 1/2 inches)


DHS 8 by Dominick and Haff

 Dominick and Haff's DHS 8 pattern dates back to 1900. It is an odd pattern with few examples.


Large Berry Spoon



Friday, November 20, 2020

Veranda by Kirk Stieff

Only dating back to 1993, Stieff's Veranda pattern has a design of scrolls and flowers on the terminal.


Pierced Table Serving Spoon (8 1/8 inches)



Sugar Shell (6 1/4 inches)



Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)




Pie Server (11 inches)










Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Rose by Kirk Stieff

Kirk Stieff's Rose pattern dates back to 1937.


Fish Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Individual Fish/Pastry Fork


Chocolate Spoon (4 3/4 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Individual Chocolate/Sherbet Spoon

Steak Knife (8 1/2 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Individual Steak Knife Hollow Handle,Full Repousse


Berry Spoon (8 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Small Chased Berry Spoon-3 Berries