Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar

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?

Monday, May 5, 2014

Arcadia by Amston

Although Amston did not introduce Arcadia until 1949, it has the lines of an older more traditional pattern. It was designed by Isadore A. Lipman. The terminal is elongated with a roped edge of leaves.

Steak Carving Fork (9 1/4 inches)

Seafood Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Steak Carving Knife (10 1/8 inches)

Friday, May 2, 2014

Grape by Saart

Grape by Saart, introduced in 1905, has a lovely etched design of bunches of grapes, leaves, and vines. There is an open medallion on the terminal suitable for engraving. Below that the design of the grape vine full of the fruit and leaves works its way down the stem.

Medium Chipped Beef Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Cream Ladle (7 1/2 inches)

Cream Ladle Solid Bright Cut

Short Handled Olive Spoon (6 1/4 inches)
Pierced Bowl Short Handle Olive Spoon

Sugar Tongs (4 1/2 inches)

Large Sugar Tongs

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Number 1 by Saart

Another pattern by Saart, Number 1 was introduced in 1900. This pattern has a lovely ornate design of layered leaves on the edges of the terminal and a motif on the top of the stem. The end of the stem also has a simple but elegant design. Also this makes for a strong but beautiful pattern.

Lettuce Serving Fork (8 3/8 inches)

Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Bouillon Soup Spoon (4 3/4 inches)

Monday, April 28, 2014

Rosebud by Saart

Rosebud by Saart introduced in 1903 is a simple pattern. The end of the terminal is surrounded by a thin border of minute rose buds with a larger one on the tip. Other than a double line outlining the stem, there is no other adornment to the design. Saart is not a company you see often.

Fruit/Orange Spoon (6 inches)

Individual Salt Spoon (2 5/8 inches)

Small Chipped Beef Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Orange Knife (7 inches)

Orange Knife With Silverplate Blade

Friday, April 25, 2014

"Lace" Patterns

"Lace" is another popular name in sterling flatware. Since the designers would hope their patterns of sterling would resemble delicate lace, it would make sense that they would use "Lace" in the name. Here are a few examples.

Floral Lace by Lunt (1967)
Pierced Tablespoon (8 3/8 inches)

Pierced Tablespoon (serving Spoon)

Florentine Lace by Reed and Barton (1951)
Salad Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Individual Salad Fork

Queens Lace by International (1949)
Salad Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Individual Salad Fork

Spanish Lace by Wallace (1964)
Salad Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Individual Salad Fork

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Spring Patterns

It is that time of year when the flowers bloom and we are reminded that winter has finally passed. "Spring" was a popular theme with silver designers. Here are a few examples.

Breath of Spring II by Amston (1952)
Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Fork

Spring Glory by International (1952 ) Designed by Lillian V. M. Helander
Seafood Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Cocktail/seafood Fork

Springtime by International (1935) Designed by Alfred G. Kintz and Frederick W. Stark
Seafood fork (5 5/8 inches)

Cocktail/seafood Fork

Springfield Engraved by Unger (1900)
Dessert Spoon (7 1/8 inches)

Dessert/oval Soup Spoon

Monday, April 21, 2014

Queen Anne Patterns

Here are the patterns (I found) named for Queen Anne. You will notice that each of these is very simple and plain.

Queen Anne by Tuttle (1928)
(Fork) (7 Inches)

Tuttle Queen Anne (Sterling,1928) Fork

Queen Anne by Tiffany (1870)
(Sardine Serving Fork) (5 1/2 inches)

Tiffany Queen Anne (Sterling,1870) Small Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

Queen Anne by Dominick and Haff (1910)
Sardine Serving Fork (6 inches)

Dominick & Haff Queen Anne-Plain (Sterling,1910) Large Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

Dominick & Haff Queen Anne-Plain (Sterling,1910) Large Solid Tined Sardine Serving Fork

I also found Queen Anne by Gorham (1870) , Mount Vernon (1914), and Reed and Barton (1910), although I could not find any examples of these patterns.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Patterns Named for Ladies Part 2

Earlier I posted about sterling flatware patterns named for Lady's. Here are a few more.

Lady Constance by Towle (1922 designed by Harold E. Nock)
(Lemon Fork) (5 5/8 inches)

Lady Mary by Towle (1917 designed by Harold E. Nock)
(Lemon Fork) (5 1/2 inches)

Lady Fairfield by Saart (1930)
(Baby Fork) (4 3/8 inches)

Lady Sterling by Weidlich (1937)
(Fish Serving Fork) (8 1/2 inches)

Small Solid Fish Serving Fork

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Oxford by Gorham

I found this pattern, Oxford by Gorham to be rather enchanting. It dates back to 1895 and I could find few examples of it. The terminal has a unique tip on the end of it. There is a vine with flowers that curves around the terminal leaving room for a monogram. Then the vine makes it way down the stem.

Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Monday, April 14, 2014

Jelly Server (Part 2)

This is the Jelly Server, I have posted on it before. It is not to be confused with the Jelly Spoon or Jelly Knife.

La Salle by Dominick and Haff (6 3/4 inches)

Meadow Rose by Wallace (6 3/8 inches)

King George by Watson (5 1/4 inches)

Etruscan by Gorham ( 6 1/8 inches)