Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Royal Oak

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 Royal Oak. Show all posts

Monday, December 5, 2011

Royal Oak by Gorham

Gorham introduced Royal Oak in 1904. This is a beautiful old pattern with deep detailing that truly lives up to its name. Acorns adorn the terminal and the back of the shoulders of the serving pieces are decorated with oak leaves and more acorns. Due to the depth of the detail, older pieces really show the beauty of the pattern.

Large Sugar Sifter (6 3/4 inches)

Cream Ladle (5 7/8 inches)

Oversize Solide Salad Serving Spoon (10 1/4 inches)

Pie Server (9 inches)

Asparagus Server (9 inches)

Beef Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Sardine Fork (9 inches)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cheese Pick

The Cheese Pick is an unusual piece found in most of the older sterling patterns. Samples here very in length from 6 inches to 7 7/8 inches. All have teeth on the end of the slightly curved blade at the end. The number of teeth varying from two to four. Most are flat handled, however two examples here are hollow handled.

King George By Gorham (7 3/4 inches)
Individual Solid Cheese Pick

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (6 1/8 inches)
Individual Solid Cheese Pick

Luxembourg by Gorham (6 1/8 inches)
Individual Solid Cheese Pick

Mary Warren by Manchester (6 inches)

Frontenac by International (7 3/4 inches)

Royal Oak by Gorham (7 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Jelly Spoons and Servers

A selection of Jelly Servers and Jelly Spoons. The Servers have a flat side to the bowl to slice and serve jelly, while the spoons have more rounded bowls.

(Large Jelly Spoon shown in Buttercup by Gorham)