Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Imperial

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 Imperial. Show all posts

Friday, January 2, 2015

Imperial by Dominick and Haff

Another pattern by Gilbert L. Crowell Jr., Imperial was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1909. Other patterns designed by Crowell include: Victoria, Gothic, Basket of Flowers, Cupid, Rococo and Grape.

Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Friday, April 4, 2014

Imperial by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Imperial pattern in 1891. If you look closely you can see the same basic lines in this design as those in Gorham's Chantilly, King George, and Poppy to name a few. The design is simple with just a plain terminal and stem edged with a double line. An embellishment separates the terminal from the stem.

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Individual Salad/Pastry Fork

Flat Handled Butter Spreader (5 3/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Bouillon Soup Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Bouillon)

Small Sugar Sifter (5 3/4 inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Small Sugar Sifter

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Vegetable Serving Spoon (Pointed Bowl)

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

Imperial by Gorham (9 inches)

Cromwell by Gorham (9 1/2 inches)

Old Colony Old by Gorham ( inches)