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, June 20, 2014

Tea Fork or Breakfast Fork or Junior Fork

The Tea Fork, is the same shape as the Dinner fork just a tad smaller. The designed use was for cakes and scones when tea was served in the afternoon. You will also see them referred to as Breakfast Forks, used for the morning meal. Also, they may be called the Junior Fork. Here it is used for younger people who were too old for Baby forks but perhaps not seen as old enough to handle a full size Dinner Fork. And it would be improper to use a Luncheon fork at dinner, even though it is bit smaller, albeit a  little larger than a Tea fork.

Virginiana by Gorham (6 inches)



Fontainebleau by Gorham (5 7/8 inches)



Nile by Wallace (6 1/8 inches)


Berain by Wallace 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Claremont by Blackinton

The pattern Claremont by Blackinton dates back to 1915. The design is simple by elegant with a double line edge that seems to gently fold in at the bottom of the stem and unfold at the top of the terminal with some flourish.

Salad Serving Fork  (7 3/4  inches)


Blackinton Claremont (Sterling) Solid Salad Serving Fork

Seafood Fork (5  1/2 inches)



Lettuce Serving Fork (9 1/8  inches)




Fruit / Orange Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Monday, June 16, 2014

Prince Eugene by Alvin

Alvin introduced Prince Eugene in 1950. For a manly name, it is a fairly prissy pattern with a floral motif around the terminal with an area available for monogramming. The design at the top of the stem is regal and the design of the stem is very nice. For pattern designed in the 1950's it is a nice heavy detailed one.


Fork (7 7/8 inches)
Fork

Lemon Fork (4 1/2 inches)

Lemon Fork

Tomato Server (8 1/4 inches)

Tomato Server, Solid Piece

Knife (9 1/2  inches)

Modern Hollow Knife