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, August 31, 2011

Honey Spoon

Sometimes referred to as a Honey Serving spoon the Honey Spoon is used for serving honey at the table.

Carmel by Wallace (5 1/2 inches)

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (6 inches)

Wave Edge by Tiffany





Monday, August 29, 2011

Versailles by Gorham

Designed by  F. Antoine Heller and introduced by Gorham in 1885. The design of each terminal of the pieces of the Versailles pattern is said to be inspired by a scene from the palace at Versailles. Some of the designs come from the windows, some from the statutes, the artwork, etc. Very typical for the intricacy and incredible art of Heller designs. After Olympian, maybe one of his finest work, probably the most popular of the Heller patterns sold by Gorham.



Fish Fork (6 5/8 inches)




Short Handle Chocolate Spoon (4 5/8 inches)




Fruit/orange Spoon  (5 7/8 inches)








Medium Solid Meat Serving Fork (8 1/4 inches)






Friday, August 26, 2011

Lobster Fork (Part 2)

Last year I had an earlier post  on Lobster Forks. Here are some more examples. Few patterns have them.


Orange Blossom by Alvin (6 inches)
Lobster Fork Solid




Fleur De Lis by Alvin (6 1/4 inches)

Lobster Fork Solid


William Penn by Alvin (6 1/4 inches)
Lobster Fork Solid


Old Colonial by Towle (6 inches)



Florentine by Alvin (6 1/8 inches)




Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Individual Salt Spoon

I posted on the Master Salt Spoons earlier. Here are the Individual Salt Spoons that would have been part of each place settings. They are the smallest piece of any pattern, measuring as small as 2 1/2 inches. They can be found in most patterns, especially the older ones. I think they are neat in that even in their size the intracity of the pattern in show in detail.
 

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (2 1/2 inches)
Individual Salt Spoon

Luxembourg by Gorham (2 3/4 inches)
Individual Salt Spoon
Madam Jumel by Whiting (2 3/8 inches)
Individual Salt Spoon

Bridal Bouquet by Alvin (2 3/4 inches)
Individual Salt Spoon

Repousse by Kirk Stieff (2 3/8 inches)
Individual Salt Spoon

Monday, August 22, 2011

Jack and Jill by Tiffany

Jack and Jill was one the "not-full-line" patterns designed by Tiffany. There is a line based on children's stories that are found on children's flatware pieces, such as the Junior spoon, Junior Fork, Junior Knife, and Food Pusher. There are two other patterns in the series Bo Peep and Red Riding Hood. These pieces are exceptionally rare.


Junior Spoon (6 1/2 inches)
Junior Spoon

Friday, August 19, 2011

Medicine Spoon

The Medicine Spoon is unique with its "hooded" scoop like shape (with the exception of the Tiffany design). These pieces are rarely seen.

Lucerne by Wallace (5 7/8 inches)
Medicine Spoon Solid

Venetia by Saart Brothers (5 3/8 inches)
Medicine Spoon Solid

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (5 5/8 inches)



Monday, August 15, 2011

Bridal Flower by Watson

Bridal Flower was introduced by Watson in 1910. 





Sugar Shell (5 1/2 inches)
Sugar Shell Spoon


Fork (7 1/8 inches)


Fork


Preserve Spoon (6 inches)



Ice Cream Fork (5 1/2 inches)
Ice Cream Fork


Salad Fork (6 inches)
Salad Fork


Butter Spreader (5 1/2 inches)
FH Butter Spreader

Friday, August 12, 2011

Lobster Pick

An unusual piece, the Lobster Pick comes in several styles. It can be a single pick, a two prong pick,  a two tine fork or three tine fork.


Baronial Old by Gorham (5 5/8 Inches)


Castilian by Tiffany


Elegante by Reed and Barton (5 and 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tea Caddy Spoon

The Tea Caddy Spoon was used to dispense the loose tea leaves into the Tea Caddy. It is a relatively small piece, usually 3 1/2 to 5 inches.

Watteau by Durgin (4 7/8 inches)



 Baltimore Rose by Schofield  (3 7/8 inches)






Dresden by Whiting (3 3/4 inches)




Blossom by Georg Jensen (4 inches)



Dauphin by Durgin (5 inches)


Hagie by Frank Whiting (5 inches)




Monday, August 8, 2011

Tulip by Durgin

Tulip by Durgin was introduced in 1898. A fairly straight forward design with two tulips at the head of the terminal, two tulips at the head of the stem, with the stems of the tulips entwined around the stem of the piece and crossing back at the top of the shoulder. 





Salad Fork (6 inches)
Individual Salad Fork




Small Confection Spoon (5 3/8 inches)
Small Confection Spoon


Large Cucumber Server (6 1/2 inches)


Large Cucumber Server