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, March 16, 2011

Bon Bon Tongs

Bon Bon Tongs are the smallest of the tongs (that I have found so far). Used to pick up Bon Bons when a spoon or scoop will not do.

Violet by Wallace (3 1/4 inches)

Versailles by Gorham (3 3/4 inches)
Bon Bon Tongs

Louis XV by Whiting (3 inches)
Bon Bon Tongs

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (3 5/8 inches)
Bon Bon Tongs

Luxembourg by Gorham (3 5/8 inches)
Bon Bon Tongs

Waverly by Wallace (3 1/4 inches)

Bon Bon Tongs

Stratford by International (3 1/2 inches)
Bon Bon Tongs

Rococo by International (3 1/4 inches)

Bon Bon Tongs

Monday, March 14, 2011

Mythologique by Gorham

Mythologique was designed by Antoine Heller, one of Gorham's most famous designers and was introduced in 1894. It has mythological motifs in the pattern.

Fish Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Tomato Server (7 3/4 inches)

Place Soup Spoon (7 1/4 inches)

Friday, March 11, 2011

Macaroni Server (Part II)

Last year, I mentioned the Macaroni Server in an earlier post. Here are some more examples of this lovely serving piece. My personal favorite being this first piece in Rose and Scroll by Whiting.

Roses and Scrolls by Whiting (9 1/2 inches)

Imperial Queen by Whiting (9 1/2 inches)

Shown in Duke of York by Whiting (9 1/4 inches)

Richelieu by Tiffany

Shown in Persian by Tiffany (9 1/4 inches)

Shown in Meadow by Gorham

Shown in Hyperion by Whiting (9 1/2 inches)

Shown in Lily by Gorham (9 3/4 inches)

Shown in Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)

Shown in Oval Twist by Whiting (9 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Mustard Spoon

Although called spoons, the Mustard Spoon is shaped more like a very small ladle.

Renaissance by Dominick and Haff (4 7/8 inches)

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (4 3/8 inches)

Mustard Spoon

King George By Gorham (4 1/2 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (4 5/8 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Luxembourg by Gorham (4 1/2 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Frontenac by International (4 1/4 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Medici-Old by Gorham (5 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Waverly by Wallace (5 3/8 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Monday, March 7, 2011

Lily of the Valley by Whiting

Two Piece Salad Set (9 inches)
2-Piece Salad Set, Solid Pieces

Salad Serving Spoon (9 inches)
Salad Serving Spoon, Solid Piece

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Small Berry Serving Spoon (8 7/8 inches)
Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Small Chipped Beef Fork (6 inches)
Fork-Chipped Beef/small-Decorated Bow

Individual Berry Fork (4 3/4 inches)

Egg Spoon (4 3/8 inches)

Large Solid Pie Knife (9 1/8 inches)

Introduced in 1885 (126 years ago). Every once and a while I have to remember just how old some of these patterns are. For a little over $10,000 you, too, can own a complete 91 piece set of this lovely antique pattern.

Short Olive Spoon (6 12/ inches)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Orange Spoons

I touched on Citrus Spoons earlier, but this post is dedicated to just Orange Spoons. Like all citrus spoons, they have a pointed bowl to pierce the pulp.

Chantilly by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Buttercup by Gorham (5 5/8 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Violet by Wallace (6 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Versailles by Gorham (5 7/8 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (5 1/4 inches)
Spoon-Fruit/orange

King George by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Fruit/orange Spoon

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (5 1/2 inches)

Orange Spoon

Luxembourg by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Olive Forks (Three Tine)

Like Pickle Forks, Olive Forks come in two tine and three tine varieties. Here are some examples of the the three tine variety. There are also long and short handle examples shown.

Chippendale Old by Alvin (7 1/4 inches)
Olive Fork Long Handle