Oyster Ladle

Of all the servers, the Oyster Ladle is one of the rarer. Given the sizes shown here, I'm not sure how one differentiates this ladle from all the other types. 

Royal Danish by International (9 7/8 inches)



Chantilly by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)



Francis I by Reed and Barton (11 1/2 inches)

Napkin Clips Part 2

I posted on these lovely and unique pieces a while back. 

Francis I by Reed and Barton (2 1/8 inches)









Monticello by Lunt (2 inches)



Golden Agean Weave by Wallace (2 1/4 inches)



Madam Jumel by Gorham (1 1/2 inches)

Corn Butterer Part 3

A few more examples of the odd piece, the Corn Butterer. I have posted on it earlier.


Spanish Baroque by Reed and Barton (5 3/8 inches)



Fairfax by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)



Francis I by Reed and Barton (5 1/8 inches)



Renaissance by Kirk Stieff (5 3/8 inches)

Francis I by Alvin

In 1910 introduced their Francis I pattern which was designed by Charles W. Harman. Don't confuse this Reed and Barton's more elaborate Francis I pattern.

Strawberry Fork (5 1/2 inches)





Ice Cream Fork (5 1/4 inches)



Butter Spreader (6 inches)



Jelly Server (5 1/2 inches)

Pie Fork - Part 2

Another post about Pie Forks (I posted earlier).

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (7 3/8 inches)


Olympian by Tiffany (6 1/8 inches)




Francis I by Alvin (6 inches)



Violet by Whiting (6 1/4 inches)

Top 50 Most Popular Sterling Flatware Patterns of the 20th Century

Based on the book, Silverware of the 20th Century, the Top 250 Patterns, the following is the list of the top 50 patterns (in alphabetical order). Two caveats here: this is silverware of the 20th century and there were some lovely patterns of the 19th century and this is the First Edition of this book, published in 1997. 

More interesting is that out of these 50 patterns, 2 are stainless (ST) and 5 are silver plate (SP), leaving 43 sterling (SS)

Any way the top 50 most popular patterns (in alphabetical order) are:

Buttercup by Gorham
Candlelight by Towle
Chantilly by Gorham
Classic Rose by Reed and Barton
Coronation by Onieda/Heirloom (SP)
Daffodil by International (SP)
Damask Rose by Onieda/Heirloom
Eternally Yours by International (SP)
Fairfax by Gorham
First Love by International (SP)
Francis I by Reed and Barton
French Provincial by Towle
Grand Baroque by Wallace
Joan of Arc by International
King Richard by Towle
Old Master by Towle
Prelude by International
Remembrance by International (SP)
Repousse by Kirk Stieff
Rondo by Gorham
Rose Point by Wallace
Royal Danish by International
Shelley by Onieda/Heirloom (ST)
Strasbourg by Gorham
Venetia by Onieda/Heirloom (ST)

Pastry Server Part 2

I posted on the Pastry Server many years ago . Here I revisit it again because it is a lovely (and expensive) serving piece should you find yourself with one.

Charles II by Dominick and Haff (9 1/4 inches)




Mary II by Lunt




Georgian Rose by Reed and Barton (7 5/8 inches)



Francis I by  Reed and Barton (6 3/4 inches)

Cheese Fork

Another cheese serving utensil. The Cheese Fork can be found in most patterns. It usually has two tines.


Versailles by Gorham (5 1/2 inches)



Louis XV by Whiting (5 1/8 inches)



Francis I by Reed and Barton (6 1/4 inches)



Les Six Fleurs by Reed and Barton ( 5 3/4 inches)

Francis I by Reed and Barton

Ernest Myers designed Francis I for Reed and Barton who introduced it in 1907. It is a rich Renaissance- Baroque pattern of fruits and flowers. And, within the pattern itself, 15 different designs can be found on various pieces, making it a very elaborate pattern. It is said that Meyers used the work of Benvenuto Cellini, Court Artist of King Francis I of France for inspiration. The pieces themselves are heavy. The original pattern (referred to as the "Old" Version) introduced in 1907 has a Lion, an Eagle and the letter "R" stamped on the back of each piece.  A "Newer" version was released in 1950 that simply has "Reed and Barton" stamped on the back. To many people, this is the most ornate pattern still being made today.

Salad Serving Set (9 1/2 inches)

Fruit/Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Master Salt Spoon (3 5/8 inches)

Lemon Fork ( 4 7/8 inches)

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

Overcup Tea Strainer (Part 2)

I  posted earlier on the Overcup Tea Strainer, an over the cup piece used to strain tea leaves when making a cup of cup. This is a very elaborate piece given there is a lot of area for the designers to work with.

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff



Romance of the Sea by Wallace (7 1/8 inches)



Old Master by Towle (7 1/8 inches)



Francis I by Reed and Barton (6 5/8 inches)

Christmas spoons

Some additional samples of Christmas Spoons. 

Christmas Holly Bon Bon Spoon in  Francis I by Reed and Barton



Gorham Holiday Spoon (Unknown Pattern)


Christmas Spoon in Chantilly by Gorham

Wedding Cake Knife

A standard piece found in most patterns, the Wedding Cake Knife is a very large piece designed to do just what its name says. I have seen it referred to as a Cake Saw, but that piece is much more ornate. Typically a wedding cake has a stainless blade and is much longer than the standard Cake Knife.

Repousse by Kirk Stieff 



Francis I by Reed and Barton  (12 inches)



Stradavira by Wallace (Small 12 1/4  inches)  (Large 16 3/8)



English King by Tiffany

Vegetable Serving Spoon (Pierced Bowl)

Like I mentioned earlier, the Vegetable Serving Spoon comes in three "styles", the Oval Bowl, Pointed Bowl, and  here is the Pierced  Bowl Vegetable Serving Spoon.

Olympian by Tiffany (9 inches)

Francis I by Reed and Barton (8 3/8 inches)

 Savannah by Reed and Barton (8 3/8 inches)