Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Grosvenor N. Allen

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 Grosvenor N. Allen. Show all posts

Monday, February 5, 2018

Stately by State House / Oneida

If you are not familiar with 'State House' silver, there is a reason why. It is actually not a company but a line of sterling from Oneida. The 3 patterns of the State House line were not distributed through retail stores. They were made for private distribution.

The Stately pattern was introduced in 1948. Is one of the 3 'State House' patterns, along with Formality and Inaugural. Grosvenor N. Allen & Mary Parker Fleming designed the pattern for State House/Oneida. They also designed Damask Rose (1946), designs of Stanton Hall (1951), Ribbon Rose (1942), and Castle Rose.

Hallmark Silver Co is founded in New York, NY. It is active in the early 1900s till around 1954. The company later merged with Hunt Silver Co in the year 1954 and renamed Hunt-Hallmark Co.

Ice Cream Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Grille Knife (8 3/8 inches)

Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Monday, November 2, 2015

Damask Rose by Onieda

Oneida introduced Damask Rose in 1946. It was designed by Grosvenor N. Allen & Mary Parker Fleming. Grosvenor is also credited with the designs of Stanton Hall (1951), Ribbon Rose (1942), and Castle Rose.

Baby Spoon (4 3/8 inches)

Butter Spreader (6 1/4 inches)

Medium Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 1/4 inches)

Cheese Server (6 1/2 inches)

Monday, May 4, 2015

Stanton Hall by Onieda

Although these days, Oneida is only known for fairly inexpensive stainless flatware, orginally the company produced some lovely sterling patterns. Here is one example, Stanton Hall they introduced in 1951. It was designed by Grosvenor N. Allen. Besides this pattern, Allen was also known for his work on Castle Rose by Royal Crest and Ribbon Rose by Hallmark.

Hollow Handle Knife (9 1/2 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Cheese Server (5 3/4 inches)

Friday, March 7, 2014

Ribbon Rose by Hallmark

Ribbon Rose is a lovely repousse pattern of rose blossoms and leaves. It was designed in 1942 Grosvenor N. Allen and William H. Gerth for Hallmark. A unique feature is an open shield on the terminal suitable for monogramming.

Hallmark Silver Co was in business from the early 1900s till around 1954. The company merged with Hunt Silver Co in the year 1954 to become Hunt-Hallmark Co.

Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Cream Soup Spoon (6 inches)

Two Piece Steak Carving Set

Monday, August 1, 2011

Yet More Roses Part 3

And, just when you thought you had seen all the "Rose" patterns . . . They never end. Here are some more examples of the most popular named pattern, variations on the Rose.

Sweetheart Rose by Lunt 1951 (Designed by Nord Bowlen)