Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2020-03-22

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, March 27, 2020

Ice Cream Serving Ladle

The Ice Cream Serving Ladle does not resemble other tyical style ladles, such as cream, soup, mustard, and oyster ladles, to name a few. I could only find this piece manufactored by several French Company. Most were found in patterns by Puiforcat, a company based in Paris, that dates back to 1820. And, then could only 1 example of the piece.

Royal by Puiforcat (10 inches)

Puiforcat Royal (Sterling) Solid Ice Cream Serving Ladle

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Large Roast Carving Knife

Another larger piece in any pattern is the Large Roast Carving Knife. This larger version ranges in length from 11 3/4 inches to as long as 16 1/2 inches, with most coming in around 13 inches. Its smaller brother, the Small Roast Carving Knife, usually ranges from 9 plus inches to a little over 11 inches. Note, some of the knives have a guard on them, while others do not. Often patterns, like Frontenac, have a knife with the guard as well as one without .

Frontenac by International (13 1/2 inches) (with guard)

International Silver Frontenac (Sterling, 1903) Large Stainless Blade Roast Carving Knife

Frontenac (14 1/2 inches) (without guard)

International Silver Frontenac (Sterling, 1903) Large Stainless Blade Roast Carving Knife

Imperial Queen by Whiting (16 inches)

Whiting Division Imperial Queen (Sterling,1893) Large Stainless Blade Roast Carving Knife

Mignonette by Lunt (11 3/4 inches)

Lunt Silver Mignonette (Sterling,1960,No Monograms) Large Carving/Roast Knife StnlBl w/Sterling Guard

Monday, March 23, 2020

H162 by Gorham

H162 is another intricant floral pattern by Gorham.4 3/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 3/4 inches)
Gorham Silver H162 (Sterling) Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl

Gorham Silver H162 (Sterling) Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl