Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: Virginiana

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 Virginiana. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Fish Serving Set - Part 3

Once again I post on the elegant and usually expensive Fish Serving Set. As I mentioned in an earlier post, these pieces are large and lovely. Fish was a favorite food of the Victorians and these two pieces assisted the footman as he served each diner at his (or her) plate.

Raleigh by Alvin

Renaissance by Dominick and Haff

Versailles by Gorham

Virginiana by Gorham

Friday, August 22, 2014

Virginiana by Gorham

The pattern Virginiana was introduced by Gorham in 1905 during the Edwardian era. It is a lovely and ornate pattern of blossoms, leaves, and vines. The serving pieces are particularly beautiful with detailed floral designs including cut outs to make effect even more outstanding.

Hollow Handle Knife (9 1/2 inches)

Ice Cream Fork ( 5 1/2 inches)

Fish Serving Set

Long Handle Chocolate Muddler ( 8 5/8 inches)

Friday, June 20, 2014

Tea Fork or Breakfast Fork or Junior Fork

The Tea Fork, is the same shape as the Dinner fork just a tad smaller. The designed use was for cakes and scones when tea was served in the afternoon. You will also see them referred to as Breakfast Forks, used for the morning meal. Also, they may be called the Junior Fork. Here it is used for younger people who were too old for Baby forks but perhaps not seen as old enough to handle a full size Dinner Fork. And it would be improper to use a Luncheon fork at dinner, even though it is bit smaller, albeit a little larger than a Tea fork.

Virginiana by Gorham (6 inches)

Fontainebleau by Gorham (5 7/8 inches)

Nile by Wallace (6 1/8 inches)

Berain by Wallace

Friday, February 15, 2013

Bonbon Scoops (Part 3)

Apollo by JB and Sm Knowles ( inches)
Bon Bon Scoop

Old Colonial by Towle

Paul Revere by Towle

Virginiana by Gorham

Friday, December 30, 2011

Orange Spoons (Part 2)

More lovely Orange Spoons with the sharp tip on the bowl to pierce the pulp. The earlier post showed additional examples. Sometimes this piece is referred to as the Citrus Spoon.

Virginiana by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Fruit/orange Spoon

Rococo by Dominick and Haff (5 1/2 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Louvre by Wallace (5 3/4 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Elegante by Reed and Barton (5 3/4 inches)

Fruit/orange Spoon

No. 10 by Dominick and Haff (5 5/8 inches)

Fruit/orange Spoon

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Master Pierced Nut Server

A Nut server or Nut Scoop comes in two sizes the regular Nut spoon is 4 to 5 inches long, while the Master Nut Server, or Master Nut spoon, shown here is much bigger, 7 to 9 inches long. It is an ornate piece with a pierced bowl.

Virginiana by Gorham (9 1/8 inches)
Pierced Nut Serving Spoon