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, April 26, 2019

Coligni by Gorham


Gorham introduced their Coligni pattern in 1889.  Antone Heller designed the multi motif pattern. Heller was one of (if not the best IMHO) designer for Gorham. Earlier he worked for Tiffany. Other patterns designed by Heller include Old Masters (1885), Apostles (1885), Olympian (Tiffany 1878), Fontainebleau (1882), and Saint Cloud (1885).

Mustard Spoon (5 inches)



Individual Salad Fork (6 7/8 inches)



Fruit / Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)





Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Tea Caddy Spoon

The purpose of the Tea Caddy Spoon is to measure dry tea leaves. Here are a few examples.

Hagie by Frank Whiting (4 inches)



Multi-Motif (Grapevine) by Tiffany 4 3/4 inches)



Berry by Frank Whiting (3 1/2 inches)



Renaissance by Tiffany (4 3/4 inches)

Monday, April 22, 2019

Hagie by Frank Whiting

Frank Whiting's 1885 pattern Hagie is a repousse design. However, unlike most repousse patterns that are floral, Hagie is more botanical. 

Sugar Shell (5 7/8 inches)



Tea Knife (6 1/2 inches)




Small Berry Spoon (8 1/4 inches)