Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-03-10

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, March 15, 2013

Rococo by Dominick and Haff

Yet another pattern designed by Gilbert L. Crowell, Jr. for Dominick and Haff. Rococo was introduced in 1888. The design is a heavy embellishment of flowers and loose swirls that make their way from the terminal half way down the stem. Some of the pieces have the embellishment design on the shoulder of the bowl of a spoon or the tines of a fork.

Oval Soup Spoon (7 1/8 inches)

Cream Ladle (6 inches)

Large Sardine Serving Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Small Ice Cream Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Melon Spoons Part 2

As when I have posted before on Mellon Spoons, they look much like Fruit/Orange Spoons or Grapefruit Spoons with a pointed tip and often a gold wash to protect the silver from the dangers of the citrus juices.

Pointed Antique by Reed and Barton (6 inches)

Labors of Cupid by Dominick and Haff (6 3/8 inches)

King by Dominick and Haff (5 5/8 inches)

Chambord by Reed and Barton (5 1/2 inches)

Monday, March 11, 2013

Cambridge by Towle

Towle's Cambridge pattern dates back to 1880. Don't confuse this with Gorham's Cambridge, they are totally different. Once again an older pattern with a simple beaded pattern with a "V" shape (with embellishments on either side) starting at the terminal going down to the top of the stem. From the stem on down there is no decoration.

Cream Ladle (4 5/8 inches)

Berry Fork (4 1/2 inches)

Cheese Scoop (5 3/4 inches)

Master Butter Knife (6 5/8 inches)