Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Tulip

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 Tulip. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2016

Tulip by Fessenden

Fessenden introduced their Tulip pattern in 1910. It is beautiful, ornate, and a work of art.

Individual Pie Fork (5 1/4 inches)

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Orange Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

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Large Cream Ladle (4 1/4 inches(

Monday, August 8, 2011

Tulip by Durgin

Tulip by Durgin was introduced in 1898. A fairly straight forward design with two tulips at the head of the terminal, two tulips at the head of the stem, with the stems of the tulips entwined around the stem of the piece and crossing back at the top of the shoulder.

Salad Fork (6 inches)
Individual Salad Fork

Small Confection Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Large Cucumber Server (6 1/2 inches)

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Individual Pie Fork

The Victorians loved their pies, both meat and fruit filled, therefore the Pie Fork was an important piece of the place setting. The distinguishing feature of the fork is the wider left cutting tine. You can find Pie Forks in two sizes, large and small. Sometimes the smaller ones are referred to as "Pickle Forks" in certain patterns. The larger forks range in size from 7 to 7 1/2 inches (approximately) and the smaller ones between 5 3/4 and 6 1/2 inches (approximately).

(Small Pie Fork shown in Persian by Tiffany 6 3/8 inches)

(Small Pie Fork shown in Renaissance by Dominick and Haff 6 inches)

(Small Pie Fork shown in Watteau by Durgin 5 5/8 inches)

(Small Pie Fork shown in Tulip by Fessenden 5 3/4 inches)