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, November 9, 2012

Chrysanthemun by George W. Shiebler

Another of the myriad of Chrysanthemum patterns. This one is by Shiebler. It is a lovely pattern with a deeply engraved floral motif design.

Large Solid Pie Knife (8 1/4 inches)


Large Solid Pie Knife


 Small Sugar Tongs  (4 1/2 inches)


Small Sugar Tongs


Demitasse Spoon (4 1/8 inches)


Demitasse Spoon


Fork (6  7/8 inches)

Fork

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Individual Terrapin Spoon

In looking into Terrapin pieces, I could only find one example of an Individual Terrapin Spoon, and it is by Gorham. But what a lovely piece with the bowl of the spoon decorated and shaped like the carapace of the animal. And, of course, Versailles is such an ornate pattern in itself. I feel certain, somewhere there are more out there.

Versailles by Gorham (4 7/8 inches)

Small Individual Terrapin Spoon in the Versailles (sterling,1888,no Monograms) pattern by Gorham Silver

Monday, November 5, 2012

Winthrop by Tiffany

Winthrop was introduced by Tiffany in 1909 and designed by Albert A. Southwick. The terminal has a classical design with garlands crisscrossing twice under other embellishments

Three Tine Salad Fork (7 inches)
3-Tine Salad Fork

Sugar Spoon (5 5/8  inches)
Sugar Spoon

Soup Ladle (11 1/4  inches)

Solid Soup Ladle With Fluted Bowl

Large Jelly Spoon (7 inches)
Spoon-Jelly/large

Friday, November 2, 2012

Hors D' Oeuvre Fork

I posted on Hor D' Oeuvre Pieces in general earlier. Here is the Hor D' Oeuvre Fork specifically. Several of these pieces can easily be confused with the Sardine Fork, but then others resemble a Strawberry or Berry Fork. Whatever they resemble, they are found in very few patterns.


Holly by Tiffany  (5 3/8 inches)

tiffany holly fork

Colonial by Tiffany (5 1/8 Inches)




Padova by Tiffany (4 inches)



Douvaine by Unger (5 1/4 inches)



Chantilly by Gorham 



Strasbourg by Gorham



Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Salem Witch by Gorham

The Salem Witch pattern was designed in 1892 by Daniel Low for Gorham on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Salem Witch trials. This was the second, more detailed "Salem Witch" design he created.

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)
Gorham Silver Salem Witch (Sterling) Teaspoon

 


 

The earlier, less intricate Salem Witch design  by Daniel Low.  

Friday, October 26, 2012

Relish Spoon

 The Relish Spoon is one more type of pickle condiment utensil. The bowls differ greatly from pattern to pattern, some being plain oval, some being slightly fluted, and yet others pierced.

Georgian by Towle (5 1/4 inches)

Relish Spoon


  Old English by Towle (6 1/4 inches)


Relish Spoon

Peony by Wallace (6 1/4 inches)

Relish Spoon

Troubadour by Concord (6 inches)



Relish Spoon

 BMS1 by Baker Manchester (6 1/4 inches)


Relish Spoon

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Troubadour by Concord

The company Concord was bought by Frank Whiting so you may find this pattern listed under either. Troubadour was introduced in 1950. Although a newer pattern (in the world of  sterling), it has some traditional lines.

Bouillon Spoon (5 3/8 inches)






Cocktail Fork (5 3/4 inches)





 Cheese Server (6 1/2  inches)





 Individual Salt Spoon (2  1/4 inches)

Friday, October 19, 2012

Sauce Ladle Part 2

I have posted on the Sauce Ladle previously. This is one of the smaller ladles, only bigger than the mustard and mayonnaise ladles.



 Birds Nest by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)



Blossom by Whiting (6 1/4 inches)




Cherub by Watson Newell (5 1/2 inches)




Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Saratoga (King's, King, Cook) by Tiffany

Tiffany introduced Kings or King in 1870. It was designed by Edward C. Moore. In 1908 the name was changed to Cook. 1956 it was reintroduced as Saratoga

Berry Scoop (9 3/8 inches)

Scoop-Berry/serving-Solid

Salad Serving Set (10 inches)

Solid Oversized Serving Salad Set

Fish Serving Fork (10 inches)

Fork-Fish/serving-Solid/large

Master Salt Spoon (3 5/8 inches)

Master Salt Spoon

Monday, October 15, 2012

Dolphin by Tiffany

Dolphin was introduced by Tiffany in 1883. This is described as one of their "not full line" sterling patterns - meaning it only consists of a few servings pieces mainly the fish serving knife and fork, ice cream knife, salad serving knife and spoon, pastry server, and berry serving spoon. But what an exquisite pattern it is.


The pattern detail of the front



The pattern detail of the back


Fish Serving Knife (13 inches)

tiffany dolphin pattern fish slice