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?

Friday, April 15, 2011

Lettuce Serving Fork

An interesting serving piece, the Lettuce Serving Fork has the general same form in most patterns.

Renaissance by Dominick and Haff (8 3/8 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Mazarin by Dominick and Haff ( 9 3/8 inches)

Lettuce Fork

Watteau by Durgin (9 7/8 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (9 3/8 inches)
Small Twist Handle Lettuce Serving Fo

Luxembourg by Gorham (11 1/4 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Waverly by Wallace (8 3/4 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Heraldic by Whiting (9 1/8 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Cordova by Towle (7 3/4 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Jelly Spoons

I have previously mentioned Jelly Utensils, but here are examples of Jelly Spoons.

Mazarin by Dominick and Haff (7 1/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (6 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon

King George by Gorham (7 5/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon

Luxembourg by Gorham (7 1/4 inches)

Large Jelly Spoon

Medici-Old by Gorham (7 1/8 inches)
Large Bright Cut Jelly Spoon

Virginiana by Gorham (7 3/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon

Rococo by Dominick and Haff (7 1/8 inches)

Large Jelly Spoon

Arlington by Towle (6 7/8 inches)
Large Bright Cut Jelly Spoon

Orchids by Towle (7 1/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (6 7/8 inches)
Spoon-Jelly/large

Monday, April 11, 2011

Empire Patterns

Although not floral, mythological, or the name of some lovely lady, the name Empire is popular among manufactures. Here are some patterns sharing that name and Durgin, Amston, Mount Vernon also have patterns with the same name.

Empire by Towle (1894) (Sugar Spoon)

Empire by Whiting (1892) (Sugar Sifter)

Empire by Reed and Barton (1892) (Berry Spoon)

Empire by Tetard-Freres

Empire by Buccellati

New Empire by Gorham (1895)

Friday, April 8, 2011

Ice Serving Spoon

A beautiful old piece with a practical use. The Ice Serving Spoon, is lovely decorative piece.

Lucerne by Wallace (9 1/4 inches)

Poppy by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)

Dauphin by Durgin-Gorham (7 1/2 inches)

Fontaine by International (8 1/4 inches)

Avalon by International (7 1/2 inches)

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (8 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Small Ice Cream Spoon

Different yet from the Ice Cream Fork and the Old Style Ice Cream Spoon is the Small Ice Cream Spoon, a little smaller than the others.

Louis XV by Whiting (5 1/8 inches)

Medici-Old by Gorham (5 7/8 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Lancaster by Gorham (5 1/2 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Arlington by Towle (5 1/8 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Winchester by International (5 7/8 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Renaissance by Dominck and Haff (5 1/2 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Lily by Whiting (5 1/2 inches)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Old Orange Blossom by Alvin

Old Orange Blossom by Alvin was introduced in 1905. If you love floral design and ornate detail, this is the most beautiful example of those qualities. A perfect example of a sterling silver pattern by Alvin.

Small Ice Cream Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Large Horseradish Serving Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Bouillon Soup Spoon (5 inches)

Cold Meat Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Cheese Knife (7 1/4 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Sardine Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Friday, April 1, 2011

Berry Serving Spoon (Part 2)

I posted on this piece much earlier. Most likely one of the more consistently beautiful serving spoons in almost every sterling flatware pattern. And, usually very unique to each pattern.

Canterbury by Towle (9 1/4 inches)
Large Solid Berry/casserole Spoon