Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar

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?

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Crumb Knife (Part 2)

More lovely Crumb Knives or Crumbers. The retail values of some of these pieces can be as much as $3,000. Because the pieces are so large, the designers had room for engraving and special work to further the pattern detail, more so than they could on place pieces. For the true artisan, the crumb knife could be their large canvas.

Italian by Tiffany (12 3/8 inches)

Lady Washington by Gorham (13 inches)

Lily by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)

Luxembourg by Gorham (11 3/4 inches)

Medallion by Gorham (13 inches)

Monroe by Wendt (13 inches)

Saint Cloud by Gorham (12 1/2 inches)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Daphne by Paye and Baker

An Art Nouveau pattern, Daphne, was introduced by Paye and Baker in 1900. The design is of a woman's face with flowing hair and floral decorations. It is fairly hard to find, as most Pay and Baker pieces are - a beautiful pattern.

(Cocktail Fork 6 inches)

(Fruit Orange Spoon 5 3/4 inches)

(Old Style Pickle Fork 5 1/2 inches)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Place Forks

Several months ago, I did a piece on all the place knives available. Here are all the Place Forks available. And, like I stated earlier, one would most likely never use all these pieces at one time (according the Amy Vanderbilt a formal setting should never have more than 3 forks. Should more be required then the staff will replace the ones from the earlier courses with the proper ones for the following courses.)

Dinner Fork (Cromwell by Durgin) (7 5/8 inches)

Regular Fork (Bridal Rose By Alvin) (7 inches)

Salad Fork (Lily (aka "88") by Gorham) (5 1/2 inches)

Fish Forks -with fancy shells (New Queens by Durgin) (7 3/4 inches)

Dessert fork (Chrysanthemum by Durgin) ( 6 1/8 inches)

Pie Fork (Lily of the Valley by Whiting) (6 1/4 inches)

Pickle Fork (Acorn by Jensen) (6 5/8 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (Della Robbia by Alvin) (5 5/8 inches)

Fruit Fork (Eglantine by Gorham) (6 1/8 inches)

Cocktail Fork (Du Barry by Durgin) (7 1/2 inches)

Terrapin Fork (Iris by Durgin-Gorham) (5 1/2 inches)

Ramekin Forks (Hepplewhite Chased by Reed and Barton) (4 7/8 inches)

Strawberry Fork (Marechal Niel by Durgin) (5 inches)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Narcissus - in Several Patterns

Like Roses, Narcissus is a popular theme for patterns. I could find seven manufacturers with references to patterns with this name. The designs vary from highly ornate floral like Fessenden and Durgin to a repousse type by National. While Lunt and Oxford are fairly similar. They are all lovely patterns.

Unger -

Unger Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Lunt - which was introduced in 1903

Lunt Teaspoon (6 inches)

National introduced in 1936

National Cocktail Fork (5 inches)

Oxford introduced in 1908

Fessenden introduced in 1905

(Jelly Server)

Spoon-Jelly/large-Decorated Bowl

Frank Whiting introduced in 1886

FRANK WHITING NARCISSUS (STRL, 1886) - Replacements Ltd.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Saint Cloud by Gorham

This pattern was credited to Walter Wilkinson when introduced in 1885 by Gorham. However, there is some belief that credit should go to F. Antoine Heller. It is heavily engraved and very ornate.

Salad Serving Fork (11 3/8 inches)

Salad Serving Spoon (11 3/8 inches)

Fish Serving Knife (11 3/4 inches)

Fish Fork (7 inches)

Gorham Silver St. Cloud (Sterling, 1885) Small Individual Solid Fish/Salad Fork

Friday, September 10, 2010

Spaghetti Spoon and Fork

These Spaghetti Spoons and Forks are different pieces that may be custom made, however I could find them in several dozen patterns, including some of the older ones.

Spoon (Chase Romantique by Alvin) (8 1/8 inches)