Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Fessenden

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 Fessenden. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Greenwich by Fessenden

Fessenden's Greenwich pattern dates back to 1900.

Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Avon by Fessenden

Fessenden's Avon pattern date back to 1900.

Olive Spoon (6 3/8 inches)

Fessenden Avon (Sterling, 1900) Pierced Bowl Long Handle Olive Spoon

Butter Spreader (6 3/4 inches)

Fessenden Avon (Sterling, 1900) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Fruit Orange Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Fessenden Avon (Sterling, 1900) Fruit/Orange Spoon

Friday, August 28, 2020

McKinley by Fessenden

Fessenden's McKinley pattern dates back to 1890. This is a lovely example of Victorian sterling with its ornate design.

Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Fessenden Mckinley (Sterling, 1890) Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Preserve Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Fessenden Mckinley (Sterling, 1890) Preserve Spoon

Lettuce Serving Fork (8 pieces)

Fessenden Mckinley (Sterling, 1890) Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Monday, November 7, 2016

Tulip by Fessenden

Fessenden introduced their Tulip pattern in 1910. It is beautiful, ornate, and a work of art.

Individual Pie Fork (5 1/4 inches)

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Orange Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

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Large Cream Ladle (4 1/4 inches(

Friday, January 16, 2015

Alice by Fessenden

Silas H. Manchester designed Alice for Fessenden in 1895. It is a lovely pattern described as "Dots and Flowers", very befitting for a lady. The detail on the serving pieces is elegant.

Long Handled Olive Spoon (6 3/4 inches)

Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)

Preserve Spoon (7 5/8 inches)

Large Sardine Serving Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Old Rose by Fessenden

Another Rose pattern, this one, Old Rose by Fessenden. I found conflicting information about its introduction date, one source said 1910 another said 1900. Whatever the date, it is a lovely pattern, with so much more detail and soft lines than the newer patterns. There is a fan on the tip of the terminal with a rose blossom and buds on the terminal itself. The stem has a bead decor accented with the occasional leaf as if it were wrapped around the edge.

Large Sugar Sifter ( inches)

Pierced Nut Server
Pierced Nut Serving Spoon

Friday, May 17, 2013

Narcissus By Fessendun

Narcissus by Fessendun was introduced in 1905. The general design is very much in keeping with the designs the Watson patterns Orchid and Wild Rose (by Eustace Crees and Charles Court). An open narcissus blossom is on the top of the terminal with the vine gently crossing and meandering down the stem.

Jelly Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Cucumber Server (5 3/4 inches)

Sugar Shell (5 3/8 inches)

Monday, May 9, 2011

Chrysanthemum Patterns

Chrysanthemum was a common name and design in sterling flatware patterns. I could find nine different Chrysanthemum patterns - all very unique.

(Chocolate Spoon in Durgin 1893 designed by George Muller) (4 1/8 inches)

(2 Tine Strawberry Fork in Stieff -1904) (4 3/4 inches)

(Gravy Ladle in Tiffany 1880 designed by Charles Grosjean) (7 5/8 inches)

(Ice Cream Serving Spoon in Gorham - 1885) (5 1/8 inches)

(Master Butter Knife in Shiebler - 1886) (7 1/4 inches)

(Bon Bon Spoon in Fessenden - 1950) (5 1/2 inches)

(Demitasse Spoon in Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham - 1894 designed by William C. Codman) (4 inches)

Friday, January 7, 2011

Sardine Fork (Part II)

I'm not sure the Sardine Fork is not one my favorite pieces of silver. I touched on this piece last year in a post but only showed one example. Here are some quaint samples of this peculiar little piece.

Radiant by Whiting (6 inches)

Bridal Rose by Alvin (4 1/4 inches)

Lily by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Alice by Fessenden (5 1/2 inches)

Renaissance by Tiffany (5 1/2 inches)

Marquis by Frank Whiting (5 3/4 inches)

Canterbury by Towle (4 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Lettuce Forks

A while back I talked about Salad Sets, however the Lettuce Fork is a rather unique piece.

Georgian by Towle (9 3/8 inches)

Alice by Fessenden (5 5/8 inches)

Les Cinq Fleurs by Reed and Barton (9 3/4 inches)

Hyperion by Whiting (9 1/8 inches)

Cambridge by Gorham ( 9 1/2 inches)

Rapheal by Alvin (8 7/8 inches)

Cherub by Watson-Newell (3 /7/8inches)

Waverly by Wallace ( 8 3/4 inches)

Stratford by International (8 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Narcissus - in Several Patterns

Like Roses, Narcissus is a popular theme for patterns. I could find seven manufacturers with references to patterns with this name. The designs vary from highly ornate floral like Fessenden and Durgin to a repousse type by National. While Lunt and Oxford are fairly similar. They are all lovely patterns.

Unger -