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 16, 2012

Ice Cream Server

And, one more serving piece to add to the silver chest, the Ice Cream Server. Most patterns, that have one Ice Cream Server, tend to have it in two sizes, a large and a small.

English King by Tiffany (Small 9 1/8 inches)  (Large  11 3/8)




Chrysanthemum by Tiffany   (Large  11 /12 inches)



Wave Edge by Tiffany    (Large 11 3/8 inches)




Charles II by Dominick and Haff (Large 10 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Cranberry Server Part 2

Since fall is the season for cranberries I thought I would look again at the Cranberry Server. I posted on this earlier. Often this piece will be confused with the Tomato Server, the difference being that the Tomato Server has a pierced bowl.

Wedgewood by International (8 1/2 inches)



Georgian by Towle (8 3/8 inches)



Federal Cottilion by Towle (8 1/2 inches)



Poinsettia by Wallace (9 inches)

Cranberry Server With Stainless Bowl

Monday, November 12, 2012

Hanover by Gorham

Hanover was introduced in 1895 by Gorham.


Demitasse (4 1/4 inches)
Demitasse Spoon

Master Salt Spoon (3 3/8 inches)

Master Salt Spoon

Preserve Spoon  (7 7/8 inches)
Preserve Spoon
Vegetable Serving Fork

Vegetable Serving Fork (solid)

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)