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?

Friday, July 9, 2010

Mango Fork

The elusive Mango Fork. I could find references to it in Mexican and Dutch silver and some references to it in American sterling. However, when I started researching into specific patterns, I could not find a photograph of an example of this piece in any pattern. Below are pictured a random silver mango fork and a group of various silver mango forks (patterns unidentified).

I will continue my search.





Mango Forks - What are they?

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Horseradish Scoop

The Horseradish Scoop or Spoon is used by your dining guests to serve the condiment.

Alhambra by Whiting (6 inches)


Arlington by Towle (5 5/8 inches)


Anthene by Amston (5 5/8 inches)


Broom Corn by Tiffany


Cambridge by Gorham (6 5/8 inches)



Cantebury by Towle (6 1/4 inches)



Chippendale-Old by Alvin (5 5/8 inches)



Heraldic by Whiting ( 5 3/4 inches)



Savannah by Reed and Barton (5 7/8 inches)


Wedgewood by International

Monday, July 5, 2010

Apostles by Gorham

In 1885 Gorham introduced the Apostles pattern-small designed by Antoine Heller, which was a "flat" design. However, in 1890 Heller designed another pattern that Gorham introduced as Apostles-Large which is a set of 12 Teaspoons, each depicting one of the 12 disciples. The spoons are 6 5/8 inches long with a twisted designed handle. Gorham discontinued the pattern in 1974.

Phillip

Teaspoon

Jude

Teaspoon

Andrew

Teaspoon

Barthalomew




Friday, July 2, 2010

Lasagna Servers

Lasagna Servers are a relatively new piece to patterns. The spatula part is almost always stainless. But it is still a nice piece to have. So. if you ever wondered, just what that piece is, perhaps it is a Lasagna Server.



Anthene by Amston (11 1/4 inches)


Pantheon by Tuttle (10 inches)


Richelieu by International (10 inches)



Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Patty Server

I don't have a clue. I will continue looking to see if there is a Victorian or Edwardian definition for the word "Patty" that differs from our use of the word. Certainly this Patty Server is not designed for serving hamburger patties. Whatever its intended use, it is a beautiful piece. I found the piece in two Towle patterns.

Shown in Old English by Towle (8 3/8 inches)


Shown in Paul Revere by Towle (7 1/2 inches)

Monday, June 28, 2010

Hizen by Gorham


The Gorham Company's multi-motif Hizen pattern was introduced in 1880 and patented in 1893, and features a multi-motif incorporating the Japanese influence popular at that time. The design is an aquatic theme using sea life together with foliage and fruit to put together a fantastic world. The definitions given in some of the silver catalogs rival those given to some of the floats in the annual Festival of Roses Parade in Pasadena each New Years day. The detail of each piece is stunning. If you keep looking you will continue to find something you didn't see before. It may be a dragon fly, or a strawberry or a bird in addition to all the sea life. The pieces are truly three dimensional.

Clam Shell Berry Spoon


Salad Serving Fork

Salad Serving Spoon, Bright Cut Solid

Flat Handle Crumb Knife

Large Flat Handle Crumb Knife/crumber

Individual Fruit Knife

Individual Solid Fruit Knife
Oyster Fork

Oyster Fork

Large Cheese Scoop

Large Cheese Scoop, Solid Piece

Large Solid Pie Knife

Large Solid Pie Knife




Cake Knife (11 3/8 inches)


Berry Spoon (9 inches)

Berry Spoon

Gravy Ladle (7 1/2 inches)

Gravy Ladle


Friday, June 25, 2010

Pastry Forks

Pastry Forks, sometimes called Pie Forks, are often ornately decorated. Here are some delightful examples.



Beekman by Tiffany (6 1/8 inches)


Broom Corn by Tiffany (6 inches)


Cherry Blossom by Blackinton (5 5/8 inches)


Duke of York by Whiting (6 inches)


Pattern unknown by Frank Smith (5 3/4 inches)


Grecian by Gorham (6 inches)



Number 1 by Whiting (6 7/8 inches)


Patrician by Seymour (5 1/2 inches)


Saint James by Tiffany (6 1/2 inches)




Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Berry/Casserole Spoons by Durgin

Durgin produced some beautiful sterling pieces and I kept coming across lovely Berry/Casserole Spoons, so I thought I would share a few from some Durgin patterns.

Bouquet (1875) (9 3/8 inches)


Brightcut Solid Large Berry/casserole

Bug (1885) (9 1/8 inches)

Solid Berry Serving Scoop


Chrysanthemum (1893) (Designed by George A. Muller) (9 3/8 inches)

Solid Berry/casserole Spoon (enamel)


Iris (1900) (9 3/8 inches)

Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Scroll (1886) (8 5/8 inches)
Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Strawberry (1874) (9 1/8 inches)

Brightcut Solid Large Berry/casserole



Monday, June 21, 2010

Cat Tails by Durgin

And then there are those patterns that you stumble upon that are so stunning and artistic, that you have to stop and admire them. This is one of those.

The detail in Durgin's Cat Tails is unlike any pattern I have yet seen. The handle replicates a cat tail fresh from the bull rushes, while the tines of the forks and the prongs of the tongs are delicate woven works of arts. The bowls of the spoons and the ladles are distinctive lily pads. The pattern was introduced in 1898 by Durgin and designed by William E. Carlson. Some of the pieces can be found in gold wash.




Chocolate Spoon (4 1/8 inches)




Sauce Ladle (5 1/2 inches)


Strawberry Fork (4 7/8 inches)


Sugar Tongs ( 4 1/2 inches)

Sugar Tong