Fruit Cocktail Spoon

I posted on Fruit Cocktail Spoons several years ago. They are fairly hard to find.

Tiffany by Tiffany (7 1/2 inches)



Florentine by Tiffany (7 1/4 inches)

Banana Server

The Banana Server is a rare piece that resembles a Jelly Cake Server, but the blade is a bit wider.

Florentine-Florenz by Gorham  (10 1/8 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham (10 1/4 inches)


New Queens by Gorham (10 3/8 inches)

Asparagus Server (Part 4)

I have posted on the elegant Asparagus Server several times before.

Majestic by Alvin (9 1/4 inches)

 

Florentine by Alvin (9 3/8 inches)




Lily by Whiting (10 1/4 inches)

Florentine by International

International introduced their Florentine pattern in 1912. 

Tomato Server (7 1/2 inches)



Baby Fork (4 3/8 inches)



Pie Server (10 1/4 inches)



Sugar Tongs (4 3/4 inches)

Gorham's Description of Their Pattern The Florentine

Several years ago I posted on Gorham's Florentine pattern.  Recently I came across a copy of the Gorham Handbook : Sterling Silver Spoons and Forks which is a reproduction of the original such handbook distributed by the Gorham company in 1909. In it they give a description of many of their more popular (and their favorite) patterns.

Their description of "The Florentine" is:

"For the motif of the Florentine pattern we are indebted to the great Renaissance movement in the late sixteenth century, when Italy gave to the world the most beautiful examples of architecture and decorations known as the Italian Renaissance, which for richness and grandeur has never been excelled. Typical of the beauty of this Italian style in both form and enrichment, the Florentine pattern meets the demand for a pattern suited to the taste of those who admire an elegant and massive style. In its outline and decoration it has every essential of a heavy weight ornate spoon."

Florentine by Gorham

Gorham introduced  its Florentine pattern in 1901. It was designed by William C. Codman. Codman designed many of Gorham's  patterns including Etruscan, Fleury, Tuileries, Albemarle,  New Queens, and Imperial Chrysanthemum. The design in this pattern is elaborate and full of many details. I think it is it his  finest work. 


Fish Fork (7 1/8 inches)




Flat Handled Butter Spreader ( 6 1/8 inches)



Ice Serving Spoon (9 inches)





Solid Vegetable Serving Spoon (9 1/2 inches)

Florentine by Alvin

There are several patterns named "Florentine". This is Alvin's Florentine pattern that was introduced in 1900. This is a beautiful pattern in the tradition of Alvin. The terminal is graced with scroll work then leaf work follows the edge to the top of the stem. The piercing and decorations on the tines and bowls of the serving pieces are just beautiful. 

Sugar Spoon ( inches)


Olive Fork ( inches)


Small Sardine Serving Fork ( inches)


Pierced Bon Bon Spoon ( inches)

Pierced Banana Server

An expensive piece, ranging over $1000, the Banana Server comes in two styles - Pierced (as shown here) and Solid. It is a lovely large piece in any pattern

Strasbourg by Gorham (9 7/8 inches)



Florentine by Gorham (10 1/8 inches)

Old Style Ice Cream Spoon Part 2

I posted on Old Style Ice Cream Spoons earlier - just another iteration to a piece for a Victorian favorite, ice cream. The "Old Style" tends to be a little smaller, usually less than a 1/2 inch or so than the "Regular" ice cream spoon.

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (5 1/2 inches) as opposed to 5 7/8

Vine-Gourd by Tiffany (5 3/4 inches) as opposed to 6

Florentine by Tiffany (5 1/2 inches) as opposed to 5 5/8

Persian by Tiffany

Lobster Fork (Part 2)

Last year I had an earlier post  on Lobster Forks. Here are some more examples. Few patterns have them.


Orange Blossom by Alvin (6 inches)





Fleur De Lis by Alvin (6 1/4 inches)




William Penn by Alvin (6 1/4 inches)



Old Colonial by Towle (6 inches)



Florentine by Alvin (6 1/8 inches)

Olive Forks (Two Tine)

I posted earlier examples of three tine Olive Forks. Here are examples of Two Tine Olive Forks.

Olympian by Tiffany (7 inches)

Florentine By Tiffany (7 inches)





Royal Windsor by  Towle (5 3/8 inches)

Olive Spoons

Most older patterns have at least one Olive Spoon, usually two, a long handle and a short handle. You will find the piece to be distinctly different in each pattern. The common trait being the pierced bowl. Here are some examples of both long and short handle olive spoons.

Rustic by Towle (Long Handle 7 1/4 inches)



Chased Diana by Towle (5 5/8)




Chippendale Old by Alvin (7 3/8 inches)



Florentine by Alvin (8 1/4 inches)



Cromwell by Durgin (6 1/2 inches)


Du Barry by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)



New Vintage by Durgin (6 1/4 inches)



Victorian by Durgin (6 1/8 inches)



Landers No. 2 by Baker Manchester (6 3/8 inches)

Florentine by Tiffany

Earlier I mentioned all the different patterns named "Florentine". This is the one by Tiffany. Probably the most exquisite (in my opinion). Designed by Paulding Farnhaum is the Renaissance Revival style. According to Hood in his book, Tiffany Silver Flatware, the patent application was not filed until 1904 and the pattern became inactive sometime before 1934.

Dinner Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader ( 5 7/8 inches)

Gravy Ladle (7 inches)

Asparagus Fork (9 1/2 inches)

Fruit Fork (2 tine)  (6 inches)

Lettuce Fork (8 1/4 inches)

Sugar Sifter (7 inches)