Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Saint Cloud

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 Saint Cloud. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Crumb Knife (Part 2)

More lovely Crumb Knives or Crumbers. The retail values of some of these pieces can be as much as $3,000. Because the pieces are so large, the designers had room for engraving and special work to further the pattern detail, more so than they could on place pieces. For the true artisan, the crumb knife could be their large canvas.

Italian by Tiffany (12 3/8 inches)

Lady Washington by Gorham (13 inches)

Lily by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)

Luxembourg by Gorham (11 3/4 inches)

Medallion by Gorham (13 inches)

Monroe by Wendt (13 inches)

Saint Cloud by Gorham (12 1/2 inches)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Saint Cloud by Gorham

This pattern was credited to Walter Wilkinson when introduced in 1885 by Gorham. However, there is some belief that credit should go to F. Antoine Heller. It is heavily engraved and very ornate.

Salad Serving Fork (11 3/8 inches)

Salad Serving Spoon (11 3/8 inches)

Fish Serving Knife (11 3/4 inches)

Fish Fork (7 inches)

Gorham Silver St. Cloud (Sterling, 1885) Small Individual Solid Fish/Salad Fork