Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Shreve

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 Shreve. Show all posts

Monday, October 21, 2019

Adam by Shreve

Shreve introduced their Adam pattern in 1909. It was designed by Joseph E. Birmingham. He also designed Delores (1909) and Napoleonic (1905).

Small Steak Carving (8 1/4)

Shreve Silver Adam (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms ) Small Steak Carving Fork with Stainless Prongs

Shreve Silver Adam (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms ) Small Steak Carving Fork with Stainless Prongs

Ice Cream Fork (5 inches)

Shreve Silver Adam (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms ) Ice Cream Fork

French Hollow Knife (9 1/2 inches)

Shreve Silver Adam (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms ) New French Hollow Knife

Friday, October 18, 2019

Winchester by Shreve

Shreve introduced their Winchester pattern in 1910

Olive Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Shreve Silver Winchester (Sterling,1910) Pierced Bowl Short Handle Olive Spoon

Shreve Silver Winchester (Sterling,1910) Pierced Bowl Short Handle Olive Spoon

Cheese Scoop (8 1/4 inches)

Shreve Silver Winchester (Sterling,1910) Large Cheese Scoop, Solid Piece

Dinner Fork (7 3/ inches)

Shreve Silver Winchester (Sterling,1910) Fork

Friday, February 1, 2019

Dolores by Shreve

Joseph E. Birmingham designed Shreve's Dolores. It was introduced in 1909. It is a rather plain pattern. Birmingham also designed Shreve's Napoleonic pattern.

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Orange Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

French Hollow Knife (9 1/2 inches)

Pea Serving Spoon (8 3/8 inches)

Monday, August 20, 2018

Olive by Shreve

Shreve introduced their Olive pattern in 1880.

Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Friday, May 6, 2016

Marie Louise by Shreve

Shreve Silver introduced their Marie Louise pattern in 1915. I can only assume this pattern was named in honor of Princess Marie Louise of Britain, granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Upon the annulment of her most unhappy marriage to Prince Aribert of Anhalt, she never remarried but spent the rest of her life supporting her charities and being a patron of the arts.

This pattern should not be confused with Towles' 1939 pattern of the same name.

Old French Hollow Knife (9 5/8 inches)

Fork (7 inches)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Monday, November 3, 2014

Napoleonic by Shreve

Joseph E. Birmingham designed Napoleonic for Shreve and it was introduced in 1905. The design is that of the laurel wreath, often used by Napoleon as a simple for honor and victory. The simple motif of the wreath gracing the terminal is the only decoration on the piece.

Tea Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Friday, October 31, 2014

Empire by Shreve or Durgin

The sterling world is full of "Empire" patterns. There is Whiting's Empire (1892) pattern. There is also Durgin's Empire (1895) pattern. And, Empire by Towle (1894). I also found references to Empire patterns by Reed and Barton, Mount Vernon, Ercuis, as well as Buccellati but could find no examples. However when I went to look at Empire by Shreve I found it was the same pattern as Empire by Durgin.

So if this looks familiar and you know Durgin's pattern, that would be the reason.

Pierced Pea Serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)