Clematis by Gorham

This an old old Gorham pattern that dates back to 1885. (I found references to another "Clematis" patten by Shiebler I could never find any details.) This is a lovely pattern that seems to age well with its intricate carvings on the front and the back of the pieces.

Sugar Spoon (6 inches)

Cut Pie Knife (9 3/8 inches)

Ice Cream Slicer (11 3/4 inches)

Salt Spoon (3 1/2 inches)

Macaroni Fork

Just a beautiful piece of sterling. This is a Macaroni Fork shown in Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (9 inches). It is delightful pieces like this that keep me interested in sterling silver. Some patterns would call this a Macaroni Server, but in this pattern, it is called a "fork". Whatever it is called, it is a gorgeous work of art.

Food Pusher

Food Pushers were designed for young eaters not quite nimble enough to use their knives. This would help them push their food onto their fork. You can find this piece in most patterns.

Shown in Chantilly by Gorham (4 1/4 inches)

Shown in Repousse by Kirk Stieff (3 1/8 inches)

Shown in Lily by Whiting (3 1/2 inches)

Shown in Monticello by Lunt (4 1/8 inches)

Coburg by Wallace

This is an older regal English pattern that dates back to 1812. It was first produced by C.J. Vander. Wallace Silversmiths manufactured it between 2000 and 2009. It is now discontinued. The rich design is on the front and the back of each piece.

(Sugar Shell 5 1/4 inches)

(Place Fork 8 1/8 inches)

(Salad Fork 7 inches)

(Teaspoon 6 3/8 inches)

Tea Infuser Spoons

Before the days of tea bags when one wanted an individual cup of freshly brewed tea, there was the Tea Infuser Spoon. The hinged opening allowed one to open it, pour the loose tea in it, then close it and place the spoon in a cup of very hot water. As you gently stir the spoon, the tea is "infused" in the water. Some designs are oval shaped and some are ball shaped.

(Shown in Mayflower by Coin 5 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Monticello by Lunt 6 1/4 inches)

(Shown in Wedding Rose by Watson 5 7/8 inches)

(Shown in La Perle by Reed and Barton 7 inches)

Shown in Carolina by Lunt 5 3/4 inches

Baby Spoons (Straight Handle)

Most patterns place pieces for children, both baby and junior sizes, with the "baby" sizes being the smaller of the two. Baby Spoons shown here, are straight handled. They also come in a "curved" or "bent" handle style. Often sterling patterns would offer spoons in both styles, straight and bent. (I'll post on the bent style at a later date.)

Most the spoons have a more rounded but oval bowl and a short handle. They tend to be between 3 1/2 and 4 5/8 inches long.

(Shown in Amaryllis by Manchester 4 5/8 inches)

(Shown in Lansdowne by Gorham 4 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Repousse by Kirk 3 3/4 inches)

(Shown in Spring Glory by International 4 1/4 inches)

Grande Baroque By Wallace

A design by William Warren, said to take 4 years to complete. The top of the piece is an Acanthus leaf and below that is a sophisticated pattern of beautiful flowers and leaves. The forks have narcissus in their design, the knives a rose, and five petaled flowers can be seen on the spoons. His inspiration was the romance of the 16th century. It is one of the patterns called "three dimensional" because the designs can be seen from three sides: the front, back, and from the side.

Master Butter (6 3/4 inches)

Hooded Asparagus Server (10 inches)

Grapefruit Spoon

Intricate Bonbon piece

The Bonbon Spoon has been called "the most useless" piece of sliver. I personally think it is one of the most beautiful. To me, sterling silverware is about beauty, not necessarily its utilitarian purpose.

Here is another example - Lily of the Valley by Whiting

Stuffing Spoon

These serving spoons, called Stuffing Spoons, were sometimes referred to as Platter Spoons and also Gravy Spoons. They are fairly large, varying in length from 11 to 13 inches. Some have a "button" on the back of the handle to keep the spoon in place as it rest on the edge of the platter or bowl. On early pieces, these buttons were very ornate, fashioned as an acorn for example, but as times changed and the art left the flatware business, so did they detail of the "buttons".

(Shown in Chantilly by Gorham 12 1/4 inches)

(Shown in Chrysanthemum by Durgin 11 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Fontainebleau by Gorham 10 1/2 inches)

(Shown in Repousse by Kirk 11 inches)

(Shown in Winthrop by Tiffany 13 inches)

Princess by Stieff

Introduced in 1915. From the 1920's catalog - "Inspired by the beauty of a bride's bouquet, a Stieff designer brought forth the "Princess" Pattern a tribute to the "Princess Royal" - the American Bride." A truly beautiful pattern.

(Pickle Fork 5 3/4 inches)

(French Hollow Knife with Bolster 8 7/8 inches)

(Fruit Serving Spoon 9 1/4 inches)