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 William C. Codman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label William C. Codman. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Chelmsford by Gorham

Gorham's  Chelmsford pattern was introduced in 1911. It was designed William C. Codman. Other Codman designed Patterns include  Florentine, Etruscan, Fleury, Tuileries, Albemarle, New Queens, Spotswood, and Imperial Chrysanthemum. 





Monday, June 1, 2020

Griswold by Gorham

Gorham's Griswold pattern was introduced in 1922. It was designed by William C. Codman. Other Gorham patterns designed by Codman Other Codman designed Patterns include  Florentine, Etruscan, Fleury, Tuileries, Albemarle, New Queens, Spotswood, and Imperial Chrysanthemum. 

Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Griswold (Sterling,1922) Fork

Gumbo Soup Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Griswold (Sterling,1922) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Gumbo)


Dinner Knife HH (8 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Griswold (Sterling,1922) Old French Hollow Knife with Bolster


Monday, November 5, 2018

Spotswood by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Spotswood pattern in 1912. It was designed by William C. Codman who also designed many of Gorham's  pattern including FlorentineEtruscan, FleuryTuileriesAlbemarle,  New Queens, and Imperial Chrysanthemum


Fish Fork (6 1/4 inches)



Fruit Knife (6 7/8 inches)



Bon Bon Spoon (4 3/4 inches)




Large Jelly Spoon (7 inch)





Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Marguerite by Gorham

Marguerite was introduced by Gorham in 1901 and designed by William Codman It was designed by William C. Codman who designed many of Gorham's  patterns including FlorentineEtruscanFleuryTuileriesAlbemarle,  New Queens, and Imperial Chrysanthemum

Like Codman's other patterns for Gorham, Marguerite is fancy and detailed with a floral design that winds its way up the stem. The terminal is left blank for monogramming with a single blossom on the tip.

Fish Fork (5 7/8 inches)


Butter Spreader (5 7/8 inches)


Long Handled Chocolate Muddler (8 3/8 inches)



Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Friday, September 2, 2016

Lenox by Gorham

Another old Gorham pattern, Lenox was designed by William C. Codman and introduced in 1897. Codman also designed
  Strasbourg (1897), Marguerite(1901), Florentine (1901), Etruscan (1901) Fleury 
(1909)Tuilleries (1906)Albemarle,  New Queens (1899)Albemarle (1894) and Imperial Chrysanthemum (1898)


Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)



Old French Hollow handle Knife (8 3/4 inches)

Monday, March 7, 2016

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)





Friday, August 8, 2014

Florentine by Gorham

Gorham introduced  its Florentine pattern in 1901. It was designed by William C. Codman. Codman designed many of Gorham's  patterns including Etruscan, Fleury, TuileriesAlbemarle,  New Queens, and Imperial Chrysanthemum. The design in this pattern is elaborate and full of many details. I think it is it his  finest work. 


Fish Fork (7 1/8 inches)




Flat Handled Butter Spreader ( 6 1/8 inches)



Ice Serving Spoon (9 inches)





Solid Vegetable Serving Spoon (9 1/2 inches)


Friday, January 4, 2013

Etruscan by Gorham

A fairly simple pattern, Etruscan was designed by William C. Codman and introduced by Gorham in 1913.

 Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Orange Spoon

Sugar Spoon(5 7/8 inches)
Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Sugar Spoon

Medium Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Medium Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

French Knife (8 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver Etruscan (Sterling,1913) Knife-New French/Hollow

Friday, September 7, 2012

Tuileries by Gorham

Tuileries was designed by William C. Codman and introduced by Gorham in 1906. An elegant pattern with an old European midevil like style.

Large Casserole Spoon (9 inches)
Iced Tea Spoon ( inches)


Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/4 inches)



Preserve Spoon (7 1/2 inches)






Monday, August 13, 2012

New Queens by Gorham

New Queens is another pattern designed by William C. Codman. Gorham introduced it in 1899. A lovely pattern with a scallop shell on the terminal and classic decorations. 

Salad Fork (5 7/8 inches)


Fruit Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)




Strawberry  Fork (4 1/2 inches)


Large Fish Serving Fork (8 3/4 inches)





Monday, April 9, 2012

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham

This is one of Gorham's truly elegant patterns that is very feminine. Imperial Chrysanthemum was issued in 1894 and designed by William C. Codman. I am not even going to try to describe the pattern, except to say it is busy with the leaves and buds of the chrysanthemum. You can see the flower in full bloom on the shoulder of some of the serving pieces.

Large Sugar Sifter (7 inches)



Pierced Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/2 inches)




Saratoga Chips Server (8 5/8 inches)



Short Olive Spoon (5 3/4 inches)



Asparagus Fork (9 inches)



Monday, February 27, 2012

Albemarle by Gorham

Albemarle was introduced by Gorham in 1894 and designed by William C. Codman. There is another "Albemarle" pattern by Alvin which is totally different.

Short Olive Spoon (5 5/8 inches)



Ice Cream Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Large Berry Spoon (9 inches)


Medium Chipped Beef Fork (6 1/2 inches)




Monday, September 26, 2011

Fleury by Gorham

Fleury by Gorham was designed by William C. Codman and issued in 1909. 


Demitasse Spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Demitasse Spoon

Small Berry Spoon (7 3/4 inches)

 Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Small Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon


Cream Ladle (5 3/4 inches)

 Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Solid Piece Cream Ladle




Small Sugar Tongs  (4 1/8  inches)
Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Small Sugar Tongs

Monday, May 9, 2011

Chrysanthemum Patterns

Chrysanthemum was a common name and design in sterling flatware patterns. I could find nine different Chrysanthemum patterns - all very unique.




(Chocolate Spoon in Durgin 1893 designed by George Muller) (4 1/8 inches)







(2 Tine Strawberry Fork in Stieff -1904) (4  3/4 inches)





(Gravy Ladle in Tiffany 1880 designed by Charles Grosjean) (7 5/8 inches)




(Ice Cream Serving Spoon in Gorham - 1885) (5 1/8 inches)



(Master Butter Knife in Shiebler  - 1886) (7 1/4 inches)





(Bon Bon Spoon in Fessenden - 1950) (5 1/2 inches)



(Demitasse Spoon in Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham  - 1894 designed by William C. Codman) (4 inches)