Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Maryland

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 Maryland. Show all posts

Monday, May 24, 2021

Pap Spoons 2

Another post on Pap Spoons, a piece found in few patterns.

Lily by Whiting (6 3/8 inches)

Maryland by Alvin (5 3/4 inches)

Louis XV by Durgin (5 7/8 inches)

Hyperion by Whiting (6 inches)

Monday, January 28, 2019

Honey Spoon

Every time I think I have identified all the pieces in a complete flatware set, something surprises me. Today it is the Honey Spoon. I could find very few examples of this piece. Those that I did find ranged in range from 5 to almost 7 inches long. Each piece had a relatively long stem and a bowl that was more oval shaped.

Raleigh by Alvin (5 7/8 inches)

Neapolitan-Kings Court (6 3/4 inches) by Frank Whiting

Maryland by Alvin (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Maryland by Alvin

With so many "Maryland" patterns around, it may get confusing about the names but designs are definitely different. Other patterns include Maryland by Gorham and Old Maryland by Kirk. I also found a "Maryland" pattern listed by Machester, but it was the same design as Alvin's Maryland pattern that was introduced in 1910.

Luncheon Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Fruit Orange Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Jelly Server (5 1/2 inches)

Curved Handle Baby Spoon (3 1/8 inches)

Friday, August 11, 2017

Maryland by Gorham

Gorham's Maryland pattern dates back to 1885. Don't confuse this with Alvin's Maryland (1910) or Kirk's Old Maryland pattern. It is an ornate pattern.

Oyster Fork (5 1/4 inches)
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Pierced Pea Serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)

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Salad Serving Fork (8 1/2 inches)

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Sugar Sifter (5 5/8 inches)

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Friday, April 27, 2012

Four O'Clock Spoon

The Four O'Clock Spoon runs in length from 4 3/4 to 5 3/8. It is shorter in length than the Five O'Clock spoon at 5 to 5 5/8 inches and much shorter than the place teaspoon, usually 5 7/8 to slightly over 6 inches. It is longer than the Demitasse spoon which is usually 3 3/4 inches to 4 1/2 inches. You may be able to tell a Demitasse from a Five O'Clock spoon, but without seeing all four laid out together, it could be confusing. I imagine many people are using Four O'clock spoons thinking they are place teaspoons. Oh, and to confuse matters there is the Desert spoon, but since it ranges from 6 7/8 to 8 inches, chances are it will not get confused in the mix.

This spoon is designed to be used when coffee (or tea) is served in the late afternoon. You will find them in many of the older patterns.

Maryland by Gorham ( 4 7/8 inches)

Rosette by Gorham (5 inches)

Saint James by Tiffany (4 5/8 inches)

Charles II by Dominick and Haff (5 1/4 inches)

Lotus by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)