Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Old 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 Old Maryland. Show all posts

Monday, June 24, 2019

Ice Serving Spoon

Yet another ice serving piece, the Ice Spoon or Ice Serving Spoon, can be found in many patterns.

Louis XIV by Towle (8 3/4 inches)

Modern Victorian by Lunt (9 1/4 inches)

Strasbourg by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)

Old Maryland by Kirk Stieff (8 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Petit Fours Server Part 3

I posted on this lovely piece last year, but there are always more examples of the Petit Fours Server.

Savannah by Reed and Barton (6 1/2 inches)

Old Maryland by Kirk Stieff (7 3/8 inches)

Rose Point by Wallace (6 3/4 Inches)

Eighteenth Century by Reed and Barton (6 and 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Old Maryland by Kirk Stieff

In 1936 Kirk Stieff introduced Old Maryland. The pattern is etched in the terminal with room left for a monogram. A very busy pattern continues down the stem stopping well short of the shoulder.

Sugar Shell (6 1/4 inches)

Sugar Shell Spoon

Oyster Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Knife (8 7/8 inches)
New French Hollow Knife With Bolster

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Oyster Forks (Part 4)

As I have said before in my many posts on Oyster Forks, although they are small, to me these are beautiful delicate pieces in any pattern. And, personally as a lover of oysters, a most useful piece. And, unlike many "fork" place pieces in patterns, these tend to be a little "unique in each pattern. I have a friend who only collects sterling silver oyster forks.

Old Maryland by Stieff (5 3/4 inches)

Etruscan by Gorham (5 3/8 inches)

Old Colonial by Towle (6 1/4 inches)

Marlborough by Reed and Barton (5 1/2 inches)

Old Newbury by Towle (5 3/4 inches)

Friday, March 30, 2012

Bon Bon Spoons - Solid (Part 3)

Always a beautiful piece, the Solid Bon Bon Spoon is a small but important part of every Victorian set. I have posted on this piece several times before.

Layfayette by Baker Manchester (5 1/2 inches)
Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Vine -Raspberry by Tiffany (5 1/8 inches)

Vine- Daisy by Tiffany ( 5 2/8 inches)

Old Maryland by Kirk-Stieff (5 1/4 inches)