Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Lady Claire

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 Lady Claire. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Asparagus Serving Fork

There are Asparagus Tongs and Servers - both solid and pierced. However, there is also an Asparagus Serving Fork which I imagine gets confused with other pieces.

Love Disarmed by Reed and Barton (10 7/8 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff

Lady Claire by Kirk Stieff

Monday, July 16, 2012

Patterns Named for Ladies (1)

These are a few examples of patterns named for ladies. And, I must say, given my penchant for the ornate and detailed designs, these patterns don't do these ladies justice in my mind. Now, one must remember that these were introduced 1910 - 1940, not necessarily the best design years for sterling.

Lady Diana by Towle (1928) (Bon Bon Spoon)

Lady Hilton by Westmorland (1940) (Cold Meat Serving Fork)

Lady Claire by Kirk Stieff (1925) Tomato Server

Lady Baltimore by Whiting (1910) (Chipped Beef Fork)

Lady Beatrice by Alvin (1910) (Five O'Clock Spoon)

Friday, April 6, 2012

Extra Long Handled Iced Tea Spoon

While most (almost all) sets have Iced Tea Spoons, as I have discussed earlier, some have Extra Long Handled Ice Tea Spoons. In some patterns (such as Southern Rose) both the handle is longer and the bowl is larger in the long handle variety. While in Paul Revere, the long handle variety is over 1 1/4 inches longer.

Lady Claire by Kirk Stieff (8 1/4 inches)

Louis XV by Whiting (9 1/8 inches)

Paul Revere by Towle (8 5/8 inches) (Regular 7 1/4 inches)

Chinese Key by Alan Adler (8 1/8 inches)

Southern Rose by Manchester (7 5/8 inches with 2 inch bowl) (Regular is 7 3/8 with 1 3/4 bowl)

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Fruit Serving Spoon

Different from the Berry Serving spoon that is found in most patterns, I could only find examples of the Fruit Serving spoon in patterns by Kirk Stieff and Schofield. That is not to say that other manufacturers did not include them in their patterns, I just have not run across them. The designs are very similar to the Berry serving spoon and I can see the two easily confused.

Baltimore Rose by Schofield (9 14/ inches)
Fruit Serving Spoon With Chased Bowl