Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Corsage

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 Corsage. Show all posts

Friday, March 22, 2019

Corsage by Stieff

Small Berry Spoon (8 1/4 inches)

Stieff introduced their Corsage pattern in 1935.

Large Chocolate Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Bacon fork (8 1/4/inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Monday, June 24, 2013

Parfait Spoon

The Parfait Spoon, an interesting piece with an identity crisis. It is often confused with its bigger sister, the Iced Tea Spoon, which is usually more than a 1/2 inch longer. Kirk Stieff, calls this piece in their patterns, "Individual Egg/Parfait Spoon". And the bowl of the Stieff's pieces are much more round than those of other manufacturers.

Francis I by Reed and Barton (7 inches) as compared to 7 5/8 inches for Iced Tea Spoon)

Corsage by Kirk Stieff ( 6 1/8 inches) as compared to 7 1/2 inches for the Iced Tea Spoon

Frontenac by International (6 5/8 inches) as compared to 8 1/2 for the Iced Tea Spoon

Baltimore Rose by Schofield (4 1/2 inches) as compared to 8 3/8 for Iced Tea Spoon

Louis XV by Whiting (6 1/2 inches) as compared to 9 1/8 for the Iced Tea Spoon

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Solid Nut Spoon

The Solid Nut Server is the same size as the regular sized Pierced Nut Server. Although some of the solid bowls have some beautiful detailing, as a whole the pieces lack the elaborate decoration of its fancy cousin the pierced cousin. Patterns generally have a either pierced style or a solid design., but not both.

Hibiscus by Whiting (4 1/8 inches)

Renaissance by Dominick and Haff (4 3/4 inches)

Roanoke by Baker Manchester (5 3/4 inches)

Corsage by Stieff ( 5 3/8 inches)

Decor by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Duke of York by Whiting (4 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sets of Silverware

To get an idea of the prices of complete sets of sterling flatware patterns, here are some examples. All these prices include a chest. As a disclaimer, these are just random prices I have come across in various places. I am in no way, a silver appraiser, but the prices will give you an idea of the retail value of some of patterns. And, the range varies from $1,000 to almost $50,000.

Dauphin by Durgin (1897) ($36,000) 117 pieces

San Lorenzo by Tiffany (1916) ($24,000) 204 pieces

Repousse by Kirk Stieff (1828) ($14,000) 288 pieces

Autumn Leaves by Reed and Barton (1957) ($2,100) 47 pieces

Corsage by Kirk Stieff (1935) ($2,100) 55 pieces

Oyster Fork

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (1892) ($3,300) 74 pieces

Full Repousse Individual Silverplate

Marlbourgh by Reed and Barton (1906) ($2,300 ) 74 pieces

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Corsage by Kirk

First issued in 1935, Corsage is a Repousse type pattern (meaning "raised in relief") which Kirk was famous for. The pattern features orchids, other flowers, and leaves.

(Place Fork 7 inches)

(Cream Soup Spoon 6 1/2 Inches)

(Small Berry Spoon 8 1/4 inches)

(Pie and Cake Server 10 1/4 inches)