Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Radiant

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 Radiant. Show all posts

Friday, January 7, 2011

Sardine Fork (Part II)

I'm not sure the Sardine Fork is not one my favorite pieces of silver. I touched on this piece last year in a post but only showed one example. Here are some quaint samples of this peculiar little piece.

Radiant by Whiting (6 inches)

Bridal Rose by Alvin (4 1/4 inches)

Lily by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Alice by Fessenden (5 1/2 inches)

Renaissance by Tiffany (5 1/2 inches)

Marquis by Frank Whiting (5 3/4 inches)

Canterbury by Towle (4 1/8 inches)

Friday, October 22, 2010

Cracker Scoop, Cracker Spoon, and Cracker Server

The Victorian Cracker Scoop is different from the Cracker Spoon in that it is generally a bit larger and the bowl a little deeper. Then there is the Cracker Server, which I can only find in one pattern, which has a flat, spatula bowl. After a cursory look, I think the spoon and the scoop in this utensil is for the same purpose (a rose by any other name). Also, the server falls in this category.

The Cracker Scoop

Empire by Whiting (7 7/8 inches)

Francis I by Reed and Barton (8 7/8 inches)

Du Barry by Durgin (9 1/8 inches)

Radiant by Whiting (8 3/4 inches)

Cracker Spoon

Italian by Tiffany (9 1/2 inches)

Lily by Gorham (8 1/2 inches)

Louis XV by Whiting (8 inches)

Monore by Wendt (9 inches)

Cracker Server

Les Cing Fleurs by Reed and Barton (9 1/2 inches)

Monday, May 31, 2010

Radiant by Whiting

This pattern was introduced by the Whiting company in 1895. (Whiting has long since been purchased by Gorham). The pattern is exquisite in its detail, with deep lines in the design.

Oversized Salad serving Set

Asparagus Server (9 1/4 inches)

Large Individual Salad Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Master Salt Spoon (3 3/8 inches)

Small Berry/Casserole Spoon (8 1/2 inches)

Friday, January 1, 2010

Place Spoons

In addition to all your serving spoons, there are spoons used by your individual guests. Such as the Five O'clock Spoon, smaller than teaspoon, used for gatherings before dinner or afternoon tea, the After Dinner Spoon, the Demitasse Spoon, smaller than teaspoon for strong coffee, the Salt Spoon, (2-3 inches long) used in addition to the 5 piece place setting and used with salt dip, the Citrus Spoon aka Fruit/Orange Spoon, (the bowl of which is "lightly gilt" to keep the citric acid from tarnishing the silver) used in addition to the 5 piece place setting when citrus fruit, such as grapefruit or oranges are being served, and the Berry Spoon, used in addition to the 5 piece place setting when berries are served,

(A Demitasse Spoon shown in Radiant by Whiting 3 7/8 inches)

(Salt Spoon shown in Georgian by Towle 2 1/4 inches)

(Five O'clock Spoon shown in Frontenac by International Knights Head) (5 1/2 inches)

(Citrus Spoon shown in Hyperion by Whiting Approx 5 3/8 inches)