Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-11-04

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 9, 2012

Chrysanthemun by George W. Shiebler

Another of the myriad of Chrysanthemum patterns. This one is by Shiebler. It is a lovely pattern with a deeply engraved floral motif design.

Large Solid Pie Knife (8 1/4 inches)

Small Sugar Tongs (4 1/2 inches)

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Fork

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Individual Terrapin Spoon

In looking into Terrapin pieces, I could only find one example of an Individual Terrapin Spoon, and it is by Gorham. But what a lovely piece with the bowl of the spoon decorated and shaped like the carapace of the animal. And, of course, Versailles is such an ornate pattern in itself. I feel certain, somewhere there are more out there.

Versailles by Gorham (4 7/8 inches)

Small Individual Terrapin Spoon in the Versailles (sterling,1888,no Monograms) pattern by Gorham Silver

Monday, November 5, 2012

Winthrop by Tiffany

Winthrop was introduced by Tiffany in 1909 and designed by Albert A. Southwick. The terminal has a classical design with garlands crisscrossing twice under other embellishments

Three Tine Salad Fork (7 inches)
3-Tine Salad Fork

Sugar Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Soup Ladle (11 1/4 inches)

Solid Soup Ladle With Fluted Bowl

Large Jelly Spoon (7 inches)
Spoon-Jelly/large