Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Athene

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 Athene. Show all posts

Monday, May 13, 2019

Wired Cheese Cutter

The Wired Cheese Cutter is just as it is named. The thin wires are very efficient at cutting slices of cheese from larger pieces. Most are of similar, however note the difference in the Jensen design below.

Athene by Amston (1913)

Troubadour by Frank Whiting (1950) (8 1/8 inches)

Royal Danish by International (1939) (8 3/8 inches)

Acorn by Georg Jensen (1915) (8 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Poultry Shears Part 2

Poultry Shears were designed to cut up whole chickens after they were cooked. You will note, as opposed to the design of the Grape Shears, the Poultry Shears are much longer to better serve their mission. Also they are much less expensive, usually under $200 a pair. Here are some more examples of Poultry Shears.

Violet by Wallace (10 1/2 inches)

Athene by Amston (10 5/8 inches)

Sovereign-Old by Gorham (10 1/4 inches)

Georgian by Towle (10 1/2 inches)

Friday, June 28, 2013

Wired Cheese Cutter

The Wired Cheese Cutter on first glance may look like an odd piece to be in a silver pattern, but it has its place. It is well designed to slice through large hunks of cheese.

Lily Floral by Frank Whiting (8 1/2 inches)

Troubadour by Frank Whiting ( 8 1/8 inches)

Athene by Amston (8 1/2 inches)

Botticelli by Frank Whiting (8 1/2 inches)

Friday, June 21, 2013

Athene/ Crescendo by Amston

Athene aka Crescendo was introduced by Amston in 1913. Its design is heavy and ornate. It is a pattern one does not often see.

Cheese Server ( 6/12 inches)

Cake Breaker (10 1/4 inches)

Two Piece Steak Carving Set

Olive Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Friday, May 10, 2013

Long Handled Sardine Serving Spoon and Fork

The Long Handled Sardine Serving Spoon and Fork are much longer than the regular size pieces which are typically 4 1/2 - 6 inches long. Also, you will note that the tines and end of the fork are much smaller. The regular Sardine Fork (I posted on earlier) has a much wider shoulder and tines.

Josephine by Frank Whiting (8 1/8 inches)

Athene by Amston (aka Crescendo) (8 1/8 inches