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?

Showing posts with label Acanthus. Show all posts

Friday, June 11, 2021

Joint Holder 3

More examples of Bottle Openers. Usually the bowl is made of silverplate.

Acanthus by Georg Jensen

Silver Masterpiece by International

Princess by Kirk Stieff

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Acanthus by Dominick and Haff

An older pattern, Dominick's Acanthus dates back to 1897.

Strawberry Fork (5 inches)

Preserve Spoon (7 3/4 inches)
Dominick & Haff Acanthus (Sterling, 1897) Preserve Spoon

Dominick & Haff Acanthus (Sterling, 1897) Preserve Spoon

Salad Fork (6 1/8 inches)
Dominick & Haff Acanthus (Sterling, 1897) Individual Salad Fork

Monday, June 17, 2019

Herring Serving Fork

Another odd piece, I could only find examples of the Herring Serving Fork by Georg Jensen and Tiffany.

Continental by Georg Jensen (6 1/4 inches)

Blossom by Georg Jensen (6 3/8 inches)

Acanthus by Georg Jensen (6 3/8 inches)

Monday, February 18, 2019

Lobster Pick Part 2

The Lobster Pick is a hard to find piece.

Tara by Reed and Barton ( 6 7/8 inches)

Acorn by Georg Jensen

Acanthus by Georg Jensen

Renaissance by Tiffany

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Acanthus by International

International's Acanthus pattern has a fairly modern design considering it was introduced in 1917. Samuel Stohr is the designer. Stohr also designed Pansy (1909) for International which is a much more ornate pattern and Chesterfield (1914).

Jellycake Server (7 3/4 inches)

Fork (7 7/8 inches)

Five O'clock Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Friday, June 8, 2012

Sugar Shovel

Another sugar serving piece, the Sugar Shovel is not a common piece and therefore one you may not recognize. It is not found in many patterns.

No. 38 by Towle (5 5/8 inches)

Duke of Windsor by Manchester (6 1/8 inches)

Webster by Knowles (5 5/8 inches)

Acanthus by Georg Jensen (4 1/4 inches)

JSK 12 by Knowles

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Cake Breaker

One of my first posts for this blog was on the Cake Breaker, one of the most eccentric pieces found in a flatware pattern. This was one of the pieces that got me started asking, "What in the world is that?" But, leave it to the Victorians to have a special utensil to cut their delicate Angel Food Cakes.

Princess Ingrid by Frank Whiting (10 1/2 inches)

Versailles by Gorham

Wishing Star by Wallace (11 1/4 inches)

Acanthus by Georg Jensen (11 3/4 inches)

D'Orleans by Towle (10 1/2 inches)

Monday, September 19, 2011

Sets of Silverware (Part 2)

Just as I stated in my earlier post on the prices of a set of sterling flatware, I am not qualified to appraise silver, these are just prices I came across at one time (and are just a snapshot - I am sure they vary day to day, vendor to vendor), but they give you some idea of the retail value of these sets.

La Scalla by Gorham (1964) ($3,500) 64 pieces

Chantilly by Gorham (1895) ($3,600) 82 pieces

Acanthus by Georg Jenson (1917) ($8,900)

Broom Corn by Tiffany (1890) ($45,000)

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (1880) ($25,000)

Flora by Shielber (1890) ($22,000)