Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Crumber

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 Crumber. Show all posts

Friday, July 2, 2021

Clovelly by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton's Clovelly pattern dates back to 1912.

Terrapin Fork (5 inches)

Crumber (12 3/8 inches)

Asparagus Serving Fork (9 inches)

Olive Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Friday, January 24, 2020

Fiddle Shell (formerly Alden) by Frank Smith

Frank Smith introduced their Fiddle Shell pattern in 1914.

Cream Soup Spoon ( 6 1/4 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup)

Cocktail Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Flat Handle Crumber (11 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Large Flat Handle Crumb Knife/Crumber

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

John Alden by Watson

Watson introduced their John Alden pattern in 1911.

Oyster Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Asparagus Tongs (8 inches)

Flat Handled Crumber (12 3/4 inches)

Orange Knife (6 5/8 inches)

Friday, February 27, 2015

Alhambra by Whiting

Whiting introduced their Alhambra pattern in 1880. Given "Alhambra" is the palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain, one is not surprised to find the design of this pattern to have Moorish tones.

Pastry Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Oyster Ladle (11 3/8 inches)

Flat Handle Crumber (10 3/8 inches)

Olive Fork (9 3/8 inches)

Monday, October 27, 2014

La Touraine by Reed and Barton

La Touraine, introduced by Reed and Barton in 1895 is a pattern with a heavy beaded design. It is patterns like this that so represent the Victorian era with the substantial heft, serious design, and art work at the shoulder, midway up the stem, and on the terminal.

Toast Serving Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Master Salt Spoon (3 1/2 inches)

Crumber (12 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Crumb Knife (Crumber) Part 3

The red headed step child of the sterling flatware serving piece world, the Crumb Knife or Crumber. Unlike his more elegant cousins who grace the buffet, he is forced to come out and clean the linen table cloth between courses. But when all is said and done, this Cinderella utensil is often the most beautiful piece in the drawer. I posted earlier on this piece.

Imperial Queen by Whiting

Frontenac by International (12 3/8 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham (12 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Crumb Knife (Part 2)

More lovely Crumb Knives or Crumbers. The retail values of some of these pieces can be as much as $3,000. Because the pieces are so large, the designers had room for engraving and special work to further the pattern detail, more so than they could on place pieces. For the true artisan, the crumb knife could be their large canvas.

Italian by Tiffany (12 3/8 inches)

Lady Washington by Gorham (13 inches)

Lily by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)

Luxembourg by Gorham (11 3/4 inches)

Medallion by Gorham (13 inches)

Monroe by Wendt (13 inches)

Saint Cloud by Gorham (12 1/2 inches)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Crumb Knife

Not just for the efficient waiter in the fancy restaurant, these are available in your pattern for use at your dining room table. The Crumb Knife (or Crumber) is designed to remove crumbs from your table. My assumption is that this was not meant for the lady of the house but more likely for her house servants.

This can be a very expensive piece in some of the older patterns.

(Unknown pattern by Duhme)