Friday, March 29, 2013

La Perle by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton introduced La Perle in 1902. It is a relatively simple pattern, the only decoration being a small design on the tip of the terminal.

Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)


Serving Spoon (8 3/8 inches)



Pierced Waffle Server (9 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Orient by Alvin

Alvin introuduced Orient in 1910. It is a traditional pattern with a scallop shell at the tip of the terminal, beaded edge, another scallop motif at the top of the stem.

Bon Bon Spoon
Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl

Individual Salad Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Small Individual Solid Fish/Salad  Fork

Master Butter Knife (7 1/8 inches)

Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Small Berry Spoon (8 1/4 inches)
Small Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon




Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Chased and Repousse Silver

A quick lesson on Chased and Repousse. These terms often confuse people interested in sterling silver. I hope that this will help explain the difference.

"Repousse" is a French word meaning "to push forward". And that is what the designers do with a Repousse pattern. The design you see is actually pushed out from the back of the silver. Instead of cutting into the metal to "carve" the design, the artist uses tools to push out the design from the back (or inside) to produce a 3D relief. The repousse technique gives a design a sense of volume. A prime example is Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff: 

Teaspoon

Chased on the other hand is when the silver has been grooved or channeled or indented. But not to be confused with any type of engraving


Harold Newman in An Illustrated Dictionary of Silverware says “Chasing. The technique of decorating by handwork the front surface  of an article of silver by indenting it and so raising the design (without cutting into the metal and removing any of it as in engraving), using a great number of differently shaped tracing tolls (‘tracers’) and a chasing hammer.”

An example of chased silver is St. Dunstan by Gorham:

Orange Knife With Silverplate Blade

Monday, March 25, 2013

Basket of Flowers by Dominick and Haff

Dominick and Haff introduced Basket of Flowers in 1920. It was designed by Gilbert L. Crowell, Jr. A beautiful old looking pattern with a basket of flowers decorating the terminal.


Cold Meat Serving Fork (9 inches)






Cheese Server (6 1/8 inches)




Small Steak Carving Fork (8 7/8 inches)




Fork (7 5/8 inches)