Tea Infuser Part 2

I have posted on the Tea Infuser, also referred to as the "Tea Ball Spoon" in an earlier post. This piece is used as we today use a tea bag. For those who still prefer to use loose tea, this is you utensil for a cup of hot tea.

Chantilly by Gorham

Wave Edge by Tiffany

Wreath by Gorham

Gorham's Sterling Star Ornaments

Every year the sterling companies produce several annual Sterling Ornaments each. I posted on this last year. Each design is unique. The star in the center of the ornament is surrounded by the design of a Gorham sterling pattern.

Buttercup (1998)

Chantilly (2001)

Strasbourg (2002)

Fish Place Knife

The Fish Place Knife is the piece used with the Fish Fork when eating fish. 

Grande Baroque by Wallace (8 5/8 inches)



Strasbourg by Gorham (8 1/8 inches)

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)

Fish Serving Forks - Small (Part 2)

Another post on Fish Serving Forks. I posted a while back on this piece. These can range from the simple - with little or no embellishment on the bowl, to others that are quite elaborate.

Orange Blossom Old by Alvin (8 1/8 inches)




Strasbourg by Gorham (7 5/8 inches)



Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (7 1/4 inches)



French Renaissance by Reed and Barton (8 7/8 inches)

Strasbourg by Gorham

Gorham introduced Strasbourg in 1897. It remains one of the most popular patterns today. William C. Codman designed the pattern for Gorham. Codman designed many of Gorham's patterns including Marguerite(1901), Florentine (1901), Etruscan (1901) , Fleury (1909), 
Tuilleries (1906), Albemarle,  New Queens (1899), Albemarle (1894) and Imperial Chrysanthemum (1898). 

Individual Salt Spoon (2 3/4 inches)

Small Berry Spoon (8 1/8 inches)

Pastry Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Solid Fish Knife (8 1/8 inches)

Cheese Serving Knife Part 2

The Cheese Serving Knife that I have posted on this earlier, resembles a flat handled butter spreader with tines on up turned end.   


Dauphin by Durgin (6 7/8 inches)




Old Colonial by Towle (7 1/2 inches)



Colonial By Gorham (7 3/4 inches)





Strasbourg by Gorham (8 1/8 inches)

Top 50 Most Popular Sterling Flatware Patterns of the 20th Century

Based on the book, Silverware of the 20th Century, the Top 250 Patterns, the following is the list of the top 50 patterns (in alphabetical order). Two caveats here: this is silverware of the 20th century and there were some lovely patterns of the 19th century and this is the First Edition of this book, published in 1997. 

More interesting is that out of these 50 patterns, 2 are stainless (ST) and 5 are silver plate (SP), leaving 43 sterling (SS)

Any way the top 50 most popular patterns (in alphabetical order) are:

Buttercup by Gorham
Candlelight by Towle
Chantilly by Gorham
Classic Rose by Reed and Barton
Coronation by Onieda/Heirloom (SP)
Daffodil by International (SP)
Damask Rose by Onieda/Heirloom
Eternally Yours by International (SP)
Fairfax by Gorham
First Love by International (SP)
Francis I by Reed and Barton
French Provincial by Towle
Grand Baroque by Wallace
Joan of Arc by International
King Richard by Towle
Old Master by Towle
Prelude by International
Remembrance by International (SP)
Repousse by Kirk Stieff
Rondo by Gorham
Rose Point by Wallace
Royal Danish by International
Shelley by Onieda/Heirloom (ST)
Strasbourg by Gorham
Venetia by Onieda/Heirloom (ST)

Pierced Banana Server

An expensive piece, ranging over $1000, the Banana Server comes in two styles - Pierced (as shown here) and Solid. It is a lovely large piece in any pattern

Strasbourg by Gorham (9 7/8 inches)



Florentine by Gorham (10 1/8 inches)

Jelly Knife (Part 4)

I have posted earlier about the Jelly Knife but they come in two distinct sizes, varying in length from 1 to 1 1/2 inches in difference. Sometimes the difference in design is quite subtle, for example Strasbourg below. Then others, like in Lancaster, the larger knife resembles more the shape of the Jelly Server, although it is still called the Jelly Knife.

Strasbourg by Gorham - Small (7 inches)




Strasbourg by Gorham - Large (8 1/2 inches)






Old Colonial by Towle - Small 



Old Colonial by Towle - Large  (7 3/8 inches)



Lancaster by Gorham -Large (8 1/4 inches)



Lancaster by Gorham - Small (6 7/8 inches)



Cambridge by Gorham - Large (shown is  8 inches)        Small (not shown 6 7/8 inches)

Small Sugar Shells

I have posted on different types of Sugar pieces and several times on the Sugar Shell, however there is a second size, a Small Sugar Shell.

Repousse by Kirk Stieff (4 3/8 inches)


Strasbourg by Gorham (5 1/2 inches)


Lily of the Valley by Whiting (5 3/4 inches)


King by Kirk Stieff

Pea Server Part 4

Once again the Pea Server, that I have posted on several times. As I have said before, a lovely serving piece that showcases any pattern's design.

Strasbourg by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)



Lily by Whiting (8 5/8 inches)

Louis XV by  Whiting (8 1/2 inches)



Imperial Queen  by Whiting (9 inches)

Hors D' Oeuvre Fork

I posted on Hor D' Oeuvre Pieces in general earlier. Here is the Hor D' Oeuvre Fork specifically. Several of these pieces can easily be confused with the Sardine Fork, but then others resemble a Strawberry or Berry Fork. Whatever they resemble, they are found in very few patterns.

Holly by Tiffany  (5 3/8 inches)



Colonial by Tiffany (5 1/8 Inches)




Padova by Tiffany (4 inches)



Douvaine by Unger (5 1/4 inches)



Chantilly by Gorham 



Strasbourg by Gorham

Small Ice Cream Spoon (Part 3)

This is not my first post on Small Ice Cream Spoons. Usually they are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch smaller than the standard Ice Cream spoon and most patterns (especially the older patterns) will have both sizes. I haven't clue what the purpose for the two sizes was.

No. 10 by Dominick and Haff (5 1/2 inches)




Strasbourg by Gorham (5 1/4 inches)

Versailles by Gorham (5 1/8 inches)

Watteau by Durgin (4 7/8 inches

Diane by Towle (5 1/4 inches)