Grapefruit Spoon (6 1/2 inches)
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?
Monday, October 18, 2010
Alcazar by Durgin
I could find little about this very unique pattern by Durgin. Alcazar was introduced in 1887 and is now discontinued. The open stem design is one you do not see often.

Grapefruit Spoon (6 1/2 inches)

Grapefruit Spoon (6 1/2 inches)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bacon Fork
Once again this is a piece I touched on earlier. The Bacon Fork is a unique piece with its short tines and wide bowl attached to the stem.
Bridal Bouquet by Alvin (7 1/2 inches)
Jenny Lind by Weidlich (6 3/4 inches)
King by Kirk Stieff (7 1/4 inches)
Lady Claire by Kirk Stieff (8 1/4 inches)
Crescendo By Amston (8 inches)
Labels:
Alvin,
Amston,
Bridal Bouquet,
Crescendo,
Fork,
Jenny Lind,
King,
Kirk Stieff,
Lady Claire,
Weidlich
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Baked Potato Fork
I addressed the utility of this piece earlier (See December 2, 209). Here are some examples in different patterns.
American Beauty by Shiebler

Baltimore Rose by Schofield (7 1/2 inches)
Heraldic by Whiting (7 1/2 inches)

Irian by Wallace (7 1/8 inches)

Talisman Rose by Frank Whiting (7 1/8 inches)

Versailles by Gorham (6 7/8 inches)

American Beauty by Shiebler
Baltimore Rose by Schofield (7 1/2 inches)
Heraldic by Whiting (7 1/2 inches)
Irian by Wallace (7 1/8 inches)
Talisman Rose by Frank Whiting (7 1/8 inches)
Versailles by Gorham (6 7/8 inches)
Labels:
American Beauty,
Baltimore Rose,
Fork,
Gorham,
Heraldic,
Irian,
Schofield,
Server,
Shiebler,
Talisman Rose,
Versailles,
Wallace,
Whiting
Monday, October 11, 2010
He Loves Me by Unger
I could not find anything about this pattern save it was introduced by Unger in 1904. However, it is a beautiful Unger pattern in the Art Nouveau style with a ladies face in detail with flowers. The stem is decorated with a ribbon that crosses as it goes down the stem.
Fork

Demitasse Spoon
Fork
Demitasse Spoon
Friday, October 8, 2010
One Tine Butter Picks
An odd piece, but one with a mission, the Butter Pick was designed to pick up a cold pat of butter from a plate. The twist on the end gives it a truly unique look. Most are flat handled and usually can be found in most patterns.
Anthene/ Crescendo by Amstom (6 1/8 inches)
Botticelli by Whiting (6 3/8 inches)
Les Six Fleurs by Reed and Barton (6 1/4 inches)
Lily by Whiting (6 inches)
Louvre by Wallace (6 inches)
Strasbourg by Gorham
Labels:
Amston,
Anthene,
Botticelli,
Crescendo,
Gorham,
Les Six Fleurs,
Lily,
Lourve,
Pick,
Reed and Barton,
Strasbourg,
Wallace,
Whiting
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Sugar Tong
For serving formal tea or coffee, sugar cubes are served with Sugar Tong. And, no, I cannot tell you why they are a "Tong" and not "Tongs". They are vary in length from 3 1/4 inches to 5 inches. Although the handles are beautiful and reflect the notes of the pattern, to me the true beauty of these pieces are in the unique features in the pinchers.
Chrysanthemum by Durgin

Baltimore Rose by Schofield

Bridal Rose by Alvin (4 1/2 inches)

Morning Glory by Alvin

Anthene by Frank Whiting (3 1/2 inches)

Louvre by Wallace (3 1/4 inches)

Old Orange Blossom by Alvin (4 7/8 inches)

Chrysanthemum by Durgin

Baltimore Rose by Schofield

Bridal Rose by Alvin (4 1/2 inches)

Morning Glory by Alvin

Anthene by Frank Whiting (3 1/2 inches)
Louvre by Wallace (3 1/4 inches)
Old Orange Blossom by Alvin (4 7/8 inches)
Labels:
Alvin,
Anthene,
Baltimore Rose,
Bridal Rose,
Chrysanthemum,
Durgin,
Frank Whiting,
Lourve,
Morning Glory,
Old Orange Blossom,
Schofield,
Wallace
Monday, October 4, 2010
Daisy by Paye and Baker
Daisy by Paye and Baker is an exquisite pattern which was introduced in 1908.
Pastry Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Five O'Clock Spoon (5 inches)

Large Lettuce Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Long Handle Olive Spoon (7 1/8 inches)

Sugar Spoon

Pastry Fork (5 5/8 inches)
Five O'Clock Spoon (5 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)
Long Handle Olive Spoon (7 1/8 inches)
Sugar Spoon
Friday, October 1, 2010
Corn Forks
Although Corn Forks are listed in some patterns, they are not popular pieces. They also are on the list of pieces easily "remade" or fashioned from another place piece. And, although these pieces are still sterling and the handle is still the original pattern, the piece is not genuine. So beware of Corn Forks baring lumps! I have had requests for information on the Corn Kernel Splitters, and while I can find references to them, I can find no pictures.
Corn Fork (Chantilly by Gorham)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sugar Shells
Among the basic serving pieces in a standard pattern there is a sugar spoon and the fancier Sugar Shell which gets its name (obviously) from the shape of the bowl. As with most sterling designs, the more distinctive and ornate the pattern, the more ornate the sugar shell. Here are some examples.
Indian by Whiting

Lily of the Valley by Whiting

Alhambra by Whiting

Fiorito by Shiebler

Medallion-E by Shiebler

Orange Blossom Old by Alvin

Lily by Whiting

Indian by Whiting
Lily of the Valley by Whiting
Alhambra by Whiting
Fiorito by Shiebler
Medallion-E by Shiebler
Orange Blossom Old by Alvin
Lily by Whiting
Labels:
Alvin,
Fiorito,
Indian,
Lily,
Lily of the Valley,
Medallion,
Orange Blossom,
Shiebler,
Whiting
Monday, September 27, 2010
Pompadour by Whiting
I have seen references to this pattern being introduced in 1895 and 1989. Either year, Pompadour, is a lovely pattern with an ornate design. I personally own a piece of this and feel that photographs do not do it justice.
Place Soup Spoon
Cold Meat Fork (7 1/2 inches)
Demitasse Spoon (3 7/8 inches)
Small Berry/Casserole Spoon (8 7/8 inches)
Small Solid Fish Serving Knife (01 1/4 inches)
Long Handle Olive Fork (8 7/8 inches)
Solid Waffle Server (8 1/8 inches)
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