Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-07-07

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, July 12, 2013

Pierced Banana Server

An expensive piece, ranging over $1000, the Banana Server comes in two styles - Pierced (as shown here) and Solid. It is a lovely large piece in any pattern

Strasbourg by Gorham (9 7/8 inches)

Solid Pierced Banana Server in the Strasbourg (str,lion/ancr/g,1897,nomono) pattern by Gorham Silver

Florentine by Gorham (10 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Jelly Knife (Part 4)

I have posted earlier about the Jelly Knife but they come in two distinct sizes, varying in length from 1 to 1 1/2 inches in difference. Sometimes the difference in design is quite subtle, for example Strasbourg below. Then others, like in Lancaster, the larger knife resembles more the shape of the Jelly Server, although it is still called the Jelly Knife.

Strasbourg by Gorham - Small (7 inches)

Strasbourg by Gorham - Large (8 1/2 inches)

Old Colonial by Towle - Small

Old Colonial by Towle - Large (7 3/8 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham -Large (8 1/4 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham - Small (6 7/8 inches)

Cambridge by Gorham - Large (shown is 8 inches) Small (not shown 6 7/8 inches)

Monday, July 8, 2013

Empire by Whiting

Whiting introduced its Empire pattern in 1892. The stem is thin which gives the pattern a very delicate and feminine look. There is detail on the tip of the terminal and then nothing more until the shoulder at the bottom of the stem. Still, it is elegant in its simplicity.

Casserole Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Pie Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Individual Pie Fork

Cracker Spoon (8 inches)

Cucumber Server (6 inches)

Large Cucumber Server