Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-10-31

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, November 5, 2010

Grapefruit Spoons

I mentioned Grapefruit Spoons earlier, but here are some more examples in different patterns. The pointed tip on the bowl is for piercing the pulp of the grapefruit sections.

Georgian by Towle ( inches)

Ailanthus by Tiffany (5 3/4 inches)

Charles II by Dominick and Haff (5 1/2 inches)

Bridal Flower by Watson (5 3/4 inches)

Francis I -Old by Reed and Barton (5 3/4 inches)

George III by Frank Whiting (5 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Jelly Spoons and Servers

A selection of Jelly Servers and Jelly Spoons. The Servers have a flat side to the bowl to slice and serve jelly, while the spoons have more rounded bowls.

(Large Jelly Spoon shown in Buttercup by Gorham)

Large Jelly Spoon in the Buttercup(str,lion/anchor/g,1899,nomono) pattern by Gorham Silver

(Jelly Spoon shown in Medici-Old by Gorham)

Large Bright Cut Jelly Spoon in the Medici-Old (sterling,1880) pattern by Gorham Silver

(Jelly Spoon shown in Blossom by Georg Jensen) (5 1/2 inches)

(Jelly Spoon shown in Peony by Wallace) (7 1/8 inches)

(Jelly Server shown in Pierced Handle by Manchester) (5 3/4 inches)

(Jelly Server shown in Royal Oak by Gorham)

(Jelly Server shown in Touraine by Gorham)

(Jelly Server shown in Chrysanthemum by Tiffany) (6 3/4 inches)

(Jelly Server shown in Esplanade by Towle) (7 inches)

(Jelly Server shown in Harlequin by Reed and Barton) (5 7/8 inches)

(Jelly Server shown in Holly by Tiffany)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Paye and Baker Patterns

Paye and Baker have some of the more detailed and exquisite art nouveau designs around.They are truly works of art. The design usually does not stop at the stem and handle but continues onto the bowl or tines. That said, you may never see them. Here are some examples of their patterns have that long since been discontinued.

Poppy

Daisy

Floral

Pond Lily

PBM1

PBM3

PBM8

PBM16