Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: J. Russell Price

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 J. Russell Price. Show all posts

Monday, August 9, 2021

Gossamer by Gorham

Gorham's Gossamer pattern was introduced in 1965. It was designed by J. Russell Price. Price designed for several companies. His work includes Rosemary by Easterling (1944) as well as Epic for Gorham (1941), King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938). This pattern is also offered in a Gold Vermeil version.

Sugar Spoon (6 inches)

Salad Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Tomato Server (8 3/8 inches)

Friday, August 21, 2020

Rosemary by Easterling

Easterling's Rosemary pattern dates back to 1944. It was designed by James Russell Price who also designed Epic for Gorham (1941), King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).

Master Butter (7 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Jelly Server (6 1/4 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Large Solid Jelly Server

Cocktail Fork(5 /8 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Tomato Server (8 1/8 inches)

Easterling Rosemary (Sterling, 1944) Tomato Server, Solid Piece

Friday, August 7, 2020

Melrose by Gorham

J. Russell Price designed Melrose for Gorham. The pattern was introduced in 1948. Price also designed King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), Epic for Gorham (1941), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).

Short Handle Olive Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Gorham Silver Melrose (Sterling, 1948, No Monograms) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork

Mustard Spoon (5 inches)

Gorham Silver Melrose (Sterling, 1948, No Monograms) Mustard Spoon

Fish Fork (HH) (7 /4 inches)

Gorham Silver Melrose (Sterling, 1948, No Monograms) Individual Hollow Fish Fork, Stainless Tines

Tomato Server (8 1/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Melrose (Sterling, 1948, No Monograms) Tomato Server, Solid Piece

Monday, December 10, 2018

Epic by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Epic pattern in 1941. It was designed by J. Russell Price, who also Price also designed King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).

Casserole Spoon (9 inches)

Large Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork ( 9 inches)

Gumbo Soup Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Tomato Server (8 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

King Edward by Gorham

J. Russell Price designed King Edward for Gorham in 1936, the year of King Edward VIII's abdication of the throne for his divorced lover, Wallace Simpson. Whether or not the name of the pattern, the name of the King, and that notable year in the history of the British Realm have anything in common, I leave up to you.

Whatever the case, the King Edward pattern by Gorham is a lovely, fairly elaborate pattern. Price went on to design Chapel Bells for Alvin in 1939.

Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)
Gorham Silver King Edward (Sterling,1936,No Monos) Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Baby Fork and Spoon Set

Gorham Silver King Edward (Sterling,1936,No Monos) 2 Pc Baby Set (BF, BS)

Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)

Gorham Silver King Edward (Sterling,1936,No Monos) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Chapel Bells by Alvin

J. Russell Price designed Chapel Bells for Alvin and it was released in 1939. It is a very simple pattern with (what I can see as) a motif of leaves in two slim lines going down either side of a straight terminal. The stem continues with a line on either edge. If you look at the modern simplicity of the Bon Bon spoon, you can see how the design is no longer one of the elaborate Victorian or Edwardian periods.

Large Salad Serving Fork (9 inches)

Lemon Fork (4 1/2 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 5/8 inches)

Baby Fork (4 1/8 inches)