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?

Friday, July 12, 2019

Persian by Gorham

Gorham's Persian pattern dates back to 1870. Another popular design name - you can also find Persian by Tiffany (1872), Persian by Whiting (1880) , and Persian by International (1847).

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Patrician by Gorham

Gorham's Patrician pattern dates back to 1902. It is another example of an ornate Victorian design.

Master Salt Spoon (3 1/2 inches)

Large Individual Fish Fork (7 inches)

Butter Spreader (6 1/4 inches)

Waffle Server (8 inches)

Monday, July 8, 2019

Palm by Gorham

Palm is a popular name for sterling patterns. Gorham introduced their Palm pattern in 1870. This Palm is not to be confused with Palm by Tiffany (1871), Palm by Frank Whiting (1877).

Salad Serving Spoon (9 inches)

Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Sugar Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Friday, July 5, 2019

Empire by Amston

Amston introduced their Empire pattern in 1925.

Demitasse Spoon ( 4 1/4 inches)

Dinner Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Dinner Knife HH (9 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Georgian Bead by Amston

Amston's Georgian Bead pattern dates back to 1948.

Salad Fork (6 3/8 inches)

French Knife HH (9 3/4 inches)

Jelly Server (6 inches)

Monday, July 1, 2019

BLS7 by Blackinton

Blackinton's BLS7 pattern dates back to 1915.

Sugar Tongs (4 inches)

Demitasse Spoon (4 inches)

Tomato Server (7 1/2 inches)

Lettuce Fork (8 1/4 inches)

Friday, June 28, 2019

BLS17 by Blackinton

Another ornate Victorian pattern by Blackinton is BLS17.

Sugar Tongs (3 3/4 inches)

Short Handle Olive Spoon ( 6 1/4 inches)

Strawberry Fork (4 3/4 inches)

Nautilus by Blackinton

Blackinton's Nautlilus pattern was introduced in 1900. Personally, I love ornate Victorian patterns such as this.

Pastry Fork ( 5 5/8 inches)

Orange Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Preserve Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Olive Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Toddy Ladle

The definition of "Toddy" is "a drink made of alcoholic liquor with hot water, sugar, and sometimes spices." And here is the Toddy Ladle that can used to serve the libation. This is not an easy piece to find.

Lancaster by Gorham (13 7/8 inches)