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?
The Wired Cheese Cutter is just as it is named. The thin wires are very efficient at cutting slices of cheese from larger pieces. Most are of similar, however note the difference in the Jensen design below. Athene by Amston (1913)
Troubadour by Frank Whiting (1950) (8 1/8 inches)
Royal Danish by International (1939) (8 3/8 inches)
The Wired Cheese Cutter on first glance may look like an odd piece to be in a silver pattern, but it has its place. It is well designed to slice through large hunks of cheese. Lily Floral by Frank Whiting (8 1/2 inches)
The Relish Spoon is one more type of pickle condiment utensil. The bowls differ greatly from pattern to pattern, some being plain oval, some being slightly fluted, and yet others pierced.
The company Concord was bought by Frank Whiting so you may find this pattern listed under either. Troubadour was introduced in 1950. Although a newer pattern (in the world of sterling), it has some traditional lines.