Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-10-17

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, October 22, 2010

Cracker Scoop, Cracker Spoon, and Cracker Server

The Victorian Cracker Scoop is different from the Cracker Spoon in that it is generally a bit larger and the bowl a little deeper. Then there is the Cracker Server, which I can only find in one pattern, which has a flat, spatula bowl. After a cursory look, I think the spoon and the scoop in this utensil is for the same purpose (a rose by any other name). Also, the server falls in this category.

The Cracker Scoop

Empire by Whiting (7 7/8 inches)

Francis I by Reed and Barton (8 7/8 inches)

Du Barry by Durgin (9 1/8 inches)

Radiant by Whiting (8 3/4 inches)

Cracker Spoon

Italian by Tiffany (9 1/2 inches)

Lily by Gorham (8 1/2 inches)

Louis XV by Whiting (8 inches)

Monore by Wendt (9 inches)

Cracker Server

Les Cing Fleurs by Reed and Barton (9 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Cake Saw

Another revisit to the Cake Saw. A large knife used for cutting cake.

Hizen by Gorham

Rococo by Dominick and Haff (9 3//8 inches)

Rose by Mount Vernon (9 3/4 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham (9 1/2 inches)
Cake Saw, Solid Piece

No. 38 by Towle (8 1/4 inches)
Cake Saw Solid Piece Bright Cut

Chrysanthemum by Gorham (10 3/8 inches)
Cake Saw Solid Piece Bright Cut

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Update on the Elusive Mango Fork

Lucy commented on my Mango Fork post (See July 9, 2010). Upon further research, I found that most Mango forks by American manufactures are in Silverplate patterns, not Sterling. The 1911 Louis XVI pattern by Community Silver, which is now Oneida, is silverplate and does have a Mango fork, as do Primrose (1915) and Patrician (1914) both older Community Silver/Oneida Silverplate patterns. These patterns have been discontinued.

Another pattern Lucy mentions is Holly, by National/ EHH Smith (1904 - since discontinued) is also a silverplate pattern. I could not find a mango fork listed.

I did find one other example of the Mango fork in Exeter (Silverplate 1913) by Oneida (7 inches)

Also, I found a reference to the 1932 Doric sterling pattern by Manchester that had a Mango fork in it, but I could not find a picture or description of the piece itself.

I will keep an eye out for more Sterling Silver Mango forks as I move forward and plan to add Ms. Graber's book to my collection of resources. Thank you, Lucy, for your interest here.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Alcazar by Durgin

I could find little about this very unique pattern by Durgin. Alcazar was introduced in 1887 and is now discontinued. The open stem design is one you do not see often.

Grapefruit Spoon (6 1/2 inches)