Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Birks

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 Birks. Show all posts

Monday, June 7, 2021

Joint Holder 2

More examples of Joint Holders.

Pompadour by Birks

Raleigh by Alvin (9 1/2 inches)

Gadroonette by Manchester (9 inches)

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Cheese Serving Pick Part 3

This is the Cheese Serving Knife.

Chippendale by Towle (1937) (8 1/4 inches)

Classic Roase by Reed and Barton (1954) (5 5/8 inches)

Saxon by Birks (1914) (7 3/4 inches)

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Bottle Opener 2 (part 1 posted 4/23/18)

Rondo, Du Barry, , Silver Masterpiece, Candlelight,

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (5 1/2 inches)

Cactus by Georg Jensen (4 3/8 inches)

Scroll by Georg Jensen ( 4 3/8 inches)

Pompador by Birks (5 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Brentwood by Birks

Birks introduced their Brentwood pattern in 1914.

Cake Break (10 5/8 inches)

Sugar Tongs (4 inches)

Cake Slicer (9 3/4 inches)

Small Cream Ladle (5 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Saxon by Birks

Saxon by Birks, introduced in 1914, is a simple but substantial elegant pattern with a double edge encircling the handle.

Individual Fish Knife (8 3/8 inches)

Steak Carving Fork ( 1/4 inches)

Pastry Server (8 inches)

Tomato Server (6 7/8 inches)

Monday, August 17, 2015

Queens by Birks AKA New King by Dominick and Haff

Once again we have a pattern that changed its name somewhere along the way. New King was introduced in 1898 by Dominick and Haff. I do not know if Queens was introduced by Birks prior or the opposite. Whatever the case, the pattern by either name is substantial and lovely.

Tomato Server (7 1/8 inches)

Salad Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Cheese Server (6 1/2 inches)

Friday, August 14, 2015

Sorbet Spoons - Part 2

The Sorbet Spoon, I have posted on earlier, is not necessarily an easy piece to identify. they are often confused with the Sherbert Spoon or the Chocolate spoon. As you can see here they can have a Smooth Bowl or a Ruffled Bowl. And these examples alone vary in size from 5 1/4 to 5 7/8 inches/

Colonial by Tiffany (Ruffled Bowl) (5 3/8 inches)

Colonial by Tiffany (Smooth Bowl) (5 1/4 inches)

Richelieu by Tiffany (Ruffled Bowl) (5 3/8 inches)

Saxon by Birks (5 7/8 inches)

Friday, July 24, 2015

Gadroon by Birks

Birks introduced their Gadroon pattern in 1914. It is a pattern with a strong design yet curvy lines.

Bouillion Sppon (5 inches)

Butter Spreader (6 5/8 inches)

Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Louis XV by Birks

I posted on various Louis XV patterns earlier but this is another Louis XV pattern I stumbled across by Birks dated back to 1914.

Luncheon Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Bouillon Soup Spoon (4 7/8 inches)

Wired Cheese Cutter (8 5/8 inches)

Toast Server (8 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Louis XV Patterns

Another very popular name, there are several sterling silver patterns named Louis XV. And, some of the patterns look very similar, but there are minor distinctions. Here are some examples:

Whiting (1891 Salad Serving Set 9 1/8 inches )