Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Aududon

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 Aududon. Show all posts

Friday, August 15, 2014

Wedding Cake Knife (Part 2)

Another look at the Wedding Cake Knife, a piece I have posted on earlier. It is a large piece, usually used for grand ceremonies. A nice piece to give as a gift to a special couple.

Eloquence by Lunt (12 1/4 inches)

Audubon by Tiffany ( 12 1/4 inches)

Contessina by Towle (12 3/4 inches)

Friday, February 28, 2014

Napkin Ring

In addition to the Napkin Clip, there is also the Napkin Ring that can be found in some patterns. Some of the patterns consider the Napkin Rings "Hollowware" and some consider them flatware. It depends on the pattern.

Old Master by Towle (2 inches)
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Classic Rose by Reed and Barton

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Audubon by Tiffany

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Sovereign by Gorham

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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Japenese / Plantation / Audubon by Tiffany

It took me a while to get these patterns straight. Edward C. Moore designed Japanese for Tiffany and it was released in April of 1871 just ahead of the release of Gorham's Japanese pattern in August of that same year - no competition there!

In 1904 the pattern became inactive. In August 3, 1956, Tiffany reintroduced the same pattern under the name Plantation. Then on October 16, of that same year (1956) they renamed it Audubon. It is still in production today and remains one of Tiffany's most popular patterns.

And, the design has nothing to do with the great American naturalist, John James Audubon. The birds depicted in the designs in the pattern are both recognizable and non specific specimens. Examples of some included are the paradise fly catcher, green magpie, racket-tailed drongo, crested tit, and finch.

Double Lipped Punch Ladle (13 inches)

Salad Serving Spoon (9 inches)

Tomato Server (8 inches)

Gumbo Soup Spoon (7 inches)

Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Gumbo Soup Spoon

Gumbo Soup Spoons are longer than their cousins the Cream Soup and Bouillon, and shorter than the Place Soup Spoon. The bowl is round like the Cream and Bouillon spoons. Just looking at a cream, bouillon, or gumbo soup spoon it would be hard to identify one from another.

Dauphin by Durgin

Cromwell by Durgin (6 7/8 inches)

Audubon by Tiffany (7 inches)

St. James by Tiffany (7 7/8 inches)

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Dessert Place Pieces

The Dessert Fork is placed above the plate or charger at the meal for the dessert following the meal. The Desert Fork is shorter and wider than a regular place fork in a place setting.

(Dessert Fork in Hyperion by Whiting 6 1/4 inches)

(Dessert Knife shown in Audubon by Tiffany 7 1/2 inches)

After a pastry is served to you with a pastry server, you are to eat the pastry with a Pastry Fork . However, it is easier to eat a Danish or Cinnamon Roll with a Fruit Fork (fun facts to know and tell). A Pastry Fork is usually a bit smaller fork than a desert fork.

(Pastry Fork shown in Mazarin by Dominick and Haff 6 inches)

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