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 Iris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iris. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Pap Spoons

A Pap Spoon is an odd piece found in many sterling patterns. It was designed for feeding invalids pap, a soft food made from ground wheat.  Sometimes it will be referred to as a "Fruit Spoon". 

Roger Williams by Baker Manchester (5 1/2 inches)




Neapolitan-Kings Court by Frank Whiting (5 7/8 inches)


Iris by Durgin  (6 1/4 inches)






St James by Tiffany (6 inches)


Monday, September 12, 2011

Iris by Durgin

Iris by Durgin/Gorham is a fabulous pattern (in my humble opinion) with the rich ornate motif of irises on the terminal with the long intertwined leaves making up the stem. The pattern was introduced in 1900 by Durgin which was later bought by Gorham. An interesting feature is the serving pieces. You will not find them in this pattern. The serving pieces for this "Iris" pattern are included in the New Art pattern by Durgin, which also has pieces listed as "Narcissus", "Orange Blossom", and "Lily".





Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)



Fork (8 inches)


Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)


Cold Meat (9 1/8 inches)


Berry Spoon (9 1/2 inches)


Ice Spoon (9 1/4 inches)
Ice Spoon

Gravy Ladle (8 inches) 


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Grapefruit Spoons (Part 2)

I posted earlier on Grapefruit spoons. These are usually easily recognized because of their pointed bowls (to pierce the pulp of the fruit). On some of the more elaborate patterns, the design will be carried to edges of the bowl.


Iris by Durgin (6 inches)



Hanover by Gorham  (5 7/8 inches)





La Parisienne by Reed and Barton (5 7/8 inches)



King Louis by International (6 inches)



Heraldic by Gorham/Durgin (6 inches)




Holly by Tiffany (5 7/8 inches)





Friday, September 17, 2010

Place Forks

Several months ago, I did a piece on all the place knives available. Here are all the Place Forks available. And, like I stated earlier, one would most likely never use all these pieces at one time (according the Amy Vanderbilt a formal setting should never have more than 3 forks. Should more be required then the staff will replace the ones from the earlier courses with the proper ones for the following courses.)

Dinner Fork (Cromwell by Durgin) (7 5/8 inches)


Regular Fork (Bridal Rose By Alvin) (7 inches)

Regular Fork

Salad Fork (Lily (aka "88") by Gorham) (5 1/2 inches)

Salad Fork


Fish Forks -with fancy shells (New Queens by Durgin) (7 3/4 inches)

Fish Fork


Dessert fork (Chrysanthemum by Durgin) ( 6 1/8 inches)



Pie Fork (Lily of the Valley by Whiting) (6 1/4 inches)



Pickle Fork (Acorn by Jensen) (6 5/8 inches)





Ice Cream Fork (Della Robbia by Alvin) (5 5/8 inches)

Ice Cream Fork


Fruit Fork (Eglantine by Gorham) (6 1/8 inches)



Cocktail Fork (Du Barry by Durgin) (7 1/2 inches)

Cocktail Fork

Terrapin Fork (Iris by Durgin-Gorham) (5 1/2 inches)



Ramekin Forks (Hepplewhite Chased by Reed and Barton) (4 7/8 inches)



Strawberry Fork (Marechal Niel by Durgin) (5 inches)

Strawberry Fork

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Berry/Casserole Spoons by Durgin

Durgin produced some beautiful sterling pieces and I kept coming across lovely Berry/Casserole Spoons, so I thought I would share a few from some Durgin patterns.

Bouquet (1875) (9 3/8 inches)


Brightcut Solid Large Berry/casserole

Bug (1885) (9 1/8 inches)

Solid Berry Serving Scoop


Chrysanthemum (1893) (Designed by George A. Muller) (9 3/8 inches)

Solid Berry/casserole Spoon (enamel)


Iris (1900) (9 3/8 inches)

Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Scroll (1886) (8 5/8 inches)
Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Strawberry (1874) (9 1/8 inches)

Brightcut Solid Large Berry/casserole



Friday, June 18, 2010

Oyster Forks

Individual Oyster Forks are a beautiful place piece in any pattern. Here are a few particularly lovely examples.



Shown Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (6 inches)
Oyster Fork

Shown in Olympian by Tiffany (4 7/8 inches)
Fork-Oyster

Shown in Vine-Squash by Tiffany (6 inches)
Oyster Fork in the Vine-Squash (sterling, 1872) pattern by Tiffany & Co Silver

Shown in Winthrop by Tiffany (6 1/8 inches)
Oyster Fork

Shown in Cat Tails by Durgin (5 5/8 inches)

Oyster Fork

Shown in Chrysanthemum by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)

Oyster Fork


Shown in Iris by Durgin (7 5/8 inches)

Oyster Fork

Shown in Madame Royale by Durgin (5 5/8 inches)

Oyster Fork

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Terrapin Fork (Part 2)

Earlier this year, I showed 2 examples of Terrapin Forks. I have found several more fine examples of this truly unique place piece. In a way, it resembles the "spork" design of an ice cream fork. However, usually the designs have more details.

Shown in Iris by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)

Shown in Lily by Gorham ( 5 3/4 inches)

Shown in Avalon by International (5 3/8 inches)
Large Individual Terrapin Fork



Shown in Orange Blossom by Durgin (5 1/4 inches)

Large Individual Terrapin Fork

Shown in Marquise by Tiffany (5 5/8 inches)
Large Individual Terrapin Fork