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, January 18, 2012

Various Chocolate Pieces in a Pattern

I have posted about Chocolate Spoons and Chocolate Muddlers previously. Oh, but should it be so simple. Upon further research, I have found that there can be more than one size of a Chocolate Spoon in a pattern. To complicate matters, they just don't have "Large" Chocolate spoons and "Small" Chocolate spoons. Some patterns have "Large" and "Small", some have "Long" and "Small", some have "Large" and "Long", or any combination of the above. (And some just have one size.) Of course don't forget the "Muddler" which is found in most of the older patterns. To bring clarity to this or maybe muddle the subject even more, here are some examples of the different Chocolate pieces in several patterns.

Lancaster by Gorham

Chocolate spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Long Chocolate spoon (4 3/4 inches)

Muddler (8 1/4 inches)

Violet by Watson

Large Chocolate spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Chocolate Muddler (8 inches)

Bridal Rose by Alvin

Large Chocolate spoon (4 3/4 inches)

Muddler (8 1/4 inches)

Georgian by Towle

Large Chocolate spoon (4 inches)

Muddler (8 1/4 inches)

New Vintage by Durgin

Long Chocolate spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Large Chocolate spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Fairfax by Durgin

Long Chocolate spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Pointed Chocolate spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Frontenac by International

Small Chocolate spoon ( 3 3/4 inches)

Chocolate spoon ( 4 3/4 inches)

Monday, January 16, 2012

Phoebe by Watson-Newell

In the tradition of Watson-Newell, Phoebe, introduced in 1895 has the very detailed motif of a nearly nude woman on the terminal. There are small flowers and berries at the top of the stem and (what looks like) a small medallion just above the shoulder. The patina of the olde pieces really enhances the beauty of the design.

Olive Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Small Gravy Ladle (6 inches)

Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Friday, January 13, 2012

Almond Scoop (Part 3)

Once again, the lovely Almond Scoop. Posted on earlier, this is still an elegant piece ranging in size from 4 to over 6 inches. The examples shown here are some larger ones. The detail on some of them is quite ornate.

Geneva by Campbell-Metcalf (5 1/2 inches)

Victoria-Old by Watson (5 3/4 inches)

Douvaine by Unger (6 1/8 inches)

Cherub by Watson-Newall (6 1/2 inches)

Phoebe by Watson-Newell (6 inches)

Georgian by Towle (4 inches)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Sauce Ladle

The Sauce Ladle is one of the smaller ladles. Most are under six inches in length.

Aeolian By Knowles (5 3/4 inches)

Arlington By Towle (5 3/4 inches)

Blackberry Vine By Tiffany (7 1/4 inches)

Daisy By Wood and Hughes (5 3/8 inches)

Empire By Towle(5 1/2 inches)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Le Marquise by Reed and Barton

La Marquise was introduced by Reed and Barton in 1895. The pattern was designed by Austin F. Jackson. The most unique mark of the pattern is the shield on the terminal that is very handy for engraving. The pieces themselves are heavy looking with a deep design of dots and swirls. The swirls and dots on the terminal continue down the stem. The Berry Spoon is particularly lovey with lilies and other flowers decorating the shoulder and edges of the bowl.

Oyster Fork (5 5/7 inches)

Ice Cream Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Small Solid Berry Spoon (8 7/8 inches)

Tomato Server (7 3/4 inches)

Cream Dipper (5 /14 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (8 7/8 inches)

Friday, January 6, 2012

Jelly Cake Server (Part 2) (Pierced)

I have posted earlier on the Jelly Cake Server. This is by far one of the more ornate and elegant pieces of a sterling flatware pattern. Here are some more examples.

Love Disarmed by Reed and Barton (10 inches)

Les Cinq Fleurs by Reed and Barton(9 5/8 inches)

La Parisienne by Reed and Barton (10 1/2 inches)

Abbottsford by International (8 1/8 inches)

Cloeta by International (8 inches)

Number 10 by Dominick and Haff (10 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Cake Server

The Cake Servers in some Reed and Barton patterns are particularly elegant. Below are some examples. Most patterns have a plain stainless blade, but not Reed and Barton.The pieces in these particular patterns are one piece of sterling silver.

Francis I by Reed and Barton (9 3/8 inches)