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, June 24, 2019

Ice Serving Spoon

Yet another ice serving piece, the Ice Spoon or Ice Serving Spoon, can be found in many patterns.

Louis XIV by Towle (8 3/4 inches)

Modern Victorian by Lunt (9 1/4 inches)

Strasbourg by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)

Old Maryland by Kirk Stieff (8 3/8 inches)

Friday, June 21, 2019

Ice Pick

There are all types of "Ice" pieces. Many of them hard to find, the Ice Pick, being one of them, shown here in 2 examples.

Louis XV by Whiting (5 3/4 inches)

Bamboo by Tiffany (7 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Mint Julep Straw

Every once in a while one reads about a unique sterling utensil, only to learn that there are few (or no) examples of the piece. So it is with the Mint Julep Straw. Not even knowing what I was looking for, I finally found 1 example. And in a pattern that dates back to 1888.

Rococo by George Shiebler (7 7/8 inches)

Monday, June 17, 2019

Herring Serving Fork

Another odd piece, I could only find examples of the Herring Serving Fork by Georg Jensen and Tiffany.

Continental by Georg Jensen (6 1/4 inches)

Blossom by Georg Jensen (6 3/8 inches)

Acanthus by Georg Jensen (6 3/8 inches)

Friday, June 14, 2019

Caviar Shovel

The Caviar Shovel, an odd piece that I figured truly did not exist. But I was incorrect.

Acorn by Georg Jensen (5 3/4 inches)

Cactus by George Jensen (5 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Banana Server

The Banana Server is a rare piece that resembles a Jelly Cake Server, but the blade is a bit wider.

Florentine-Florenz by Gorham (10 1/8 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham (10 1/4 inches)

New Queens by Gorham (10 3/8 inches)

Monday, June 10, 2019

Martinique By Oneida

Even though Oneida is known more for its silverplate, their Martinique pattern is sterling. It was designed by Ellen B. Manderfield and introduced in 1967. Manderfield also designed Oneida's Grand Majesty 1976

Jelly Server (6 3/8 inches)

Dinner Knife (9 inches)

Sugar Spoon (6 inches)

Friday, June 7, 2019

Hazelmere by Gorham

Gorham introduced Hazelmere in 1914. No offense to this pattern, but the design is very close to many other (fairly) plain designs.

Five O'clock Teaspoon

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Basket of Flowers by Tuttle

Tuttle introduced their Basket of Flowers pattern in 1940. It differs from Dominick and Haff's Basket of Flowers (1920).

Ice Cream Fork (5 1/8 inches)

Monday, June 3, 2019

Luzon by Tuttle

This Luzon pattern is by Tuttle.

Cheese Cleaver (6 7/8 inches)

Sugar Shell ( 6 1/8 inches)

Large Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork (9 inches)

Master Butter Knife (HH 7 inches)