Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-09-22

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, September 27, 2013

Various Patterns by Cartier

I can find little out about Cartier Sterling flatware patterns. Here are some examples of the designs of a few of the other patterns (other than Du Roi which I posted on earlier). The lines range from slick art deco to art noveau. They do all seem to have a twisted gold band at the bottom of the stem in common. However, as I said earlier, since Cartier is a French company, it doesn't fall into my bailiwick of American Sterling Flatware. Ah, but we can wander.

De Louis Cartier (Solid Serving Fork)

La Maison De La Belle Epoque
La Maison De La Belle Epoque (sterling) pattern by Cartier Silver

De Must (Salad Fork)

Individual Salad Fork

Monday, September 23, 2013

Marie Louise By Towle

Towle introduced Marie Louise in 1939. At that time it became the official sterling pattern for all US Embassies abroad. The design is simple but elegant with a double line running from the top of the terminal down each side of the stem. There is a nice line at the base of the stem and there is a simple motif at the very end of the terminal.

Dessert Fork

Cheese Knife

Cheese Knife With Stainless Blade

Cocktail Fork

Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Hollow Handle Gravy Ladle

Hollow Handle Gravy Ladle-Stainless Bowl