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?

Monday, July 9, 2012

Patterns Named "Kings" (Part 1)

Not to be confused with patterns named after individual Kings, these are patterns by different companies all named Kings.

Kings by Wallace (2 piece Salad Set)

Kings by Carrs (Fork 7 1/4 inches)

Kings Court (Neapolitan) by Frank Whiting (Salad Serving Fork 7 5/8 inches)

Kings I by Gorham (Master Butter Knife 7 5/8 Inches)

Kings II by Gorham (Desert Spoon 7 1/4 inches)

Friday, July 6, 2012

Pierced Nut Spoon Part 2

More examples of the Pierced Nut Spoon. I posted on these earlier. The pierced variety is not nearly as popular as the solid type. These are small pieces. I did not comprehend the size of the Nut or Bon bon Spoons until I got my first one. Compared to a regular piece of flatware, 4 or 5 inches is quite small. But it packs a lot of detail and elegance that mini package.

Bridal Bouquet By Alvin (4 3/4 inches)

Cherub by Watson -Newall (4 1/4 inches)

Empire by Towle (4 3/4 inches)

Buttercup by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Kenilworth by International (5 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Our Founding Fathers

To celebrate Independence Day, I thought it appropriate to show patterns named in honor of those who made our freedom possible. Here are a few named after our founding fathers.

George and Martha Washington by Westmorland (2 Piece Baby Set)

Jefferson by Watson (Oval Soup Spoon)

Benjamin Franklin by Towle (Fork)

John Adams by Watson (Casserole Spoon)

Paul Revere by Towle

Monday, July 2, 2012

Diane by Towle

What a beautiful pattern - Diane, introduced by Towle in 1889. The design is almost art nouveau.

Large Lettuce Serving Fork (9 1/4 inches)

Preserve Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Long Handled Olive Fork (8 1/2 inches)

Fruit/Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Sardine Serving Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Friday, June 29, 2012

Cucumber Server (Part 4)

More Cucumber Servers. Like the earlier posts of this piece, some have teeth, some don't. Either way, it is a lovely piece.

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (6 1/8 inches)
Large Cucumber Server

Canterbury by Towle (7 5/8 inches)
Large Cucumber Server

Cordova by Towle (6 1/8 inches)

Large Cucumber Server

Lily by Whiting (6 inches)
Large Cucumber Server

Wild Rose by International (6 3/8 inches)
Large Cucumber Server

La Marquise by Reed and Barton ( 6 1/4 inches)
Small Cucumber/tomato Server

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Asparagus Server (Part 3)

I have posted on the Asparagus Server previously. These are examples of ones that are not hooded. You will find the server and the Asparagus Serving Fork in the same pattern and they can easily be confused

Alexandra by Dominick and Haff (9 1/4 inches)

Baronial Old by Gorham (9 1/8 inches)

Love Disarmed by Reed and Barton (11 1/2 inches)

La Marquise by Reed and Barton (9 7/8 inches)

Monday, June 25, 2012

Patterns Named after Princesses

My earlier post on "Princess" patterns were just those named "Princess". But there is a list of them named after Princesses themselves. Here are some examples of those:

Princess Mary by Wallace (Cheese Server)

Princess Anne by Wallace (Med. Cold Meat Serving Fork)

Princess Elizabeth by National (Cocktail Seafood Fork)

Princess Fushia by Frigast (Fruit Orange Spoon)

Princess Ingrid by Frank Whiting (Pie Server)

Princess Patricia by Gorham (Butter Spreader)

Friday, June 22, 2012

Cake Saw (Part 2)

I posted on the Cake Saw earlier. This is a large, usually ornately decorated piece..

Violet by Wallace (10 1/4 inches)

Louis XV by Whiting (9 7/8 inches)

Pomona by Towle (10 inches)

Versailles by Gorham

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Tomato Server (Part 4 )

Yes, I post on this piece often, but it is a lovely piece and is in most patterns. And, it is different in each pattern. More examples of the Tomato Server.

Old Master by Towle (8 5/8 inches)