Towle Numbers 12, 13, 16, and 17

Here are four patterns by Towle that I find divine  I put them together because I could only find examples of one or two pieces in  each pattern. My guess is these are patterns are not complete, in that only a few pieces were made in each pattern. Examples would be Demitasse spoons, Cocktail Forks,  Tongs, etc.


Number 12  -Demitasse Spoon (3 3/4 inches)


Number 13 - Demitasse Spoon ( 3 7/8 inches)



Number 16 - Demitasse Spoon  ( 3 7/8 inches)



Number 17 - Olive Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Solid Banana Server

A month or so ago, I posted about the Pierced Banana Server. Here is its brethren, the Solid Banana Server. It too, will run you over $1000. 

Lancaster by Gorham (10 1/4  inches)

Butter Pick Knife

Another odd piece, the Butter Pick Knife, seems to be a combination between a butter pick with the tines on the side of the blade and a flat blade butter spreader. They tend to be longer than Butter Spreaders. However, their unique design makes them hard to miss.


Chantilly by Gorham



Evangeline by Alvin (7 1/8 inches)



New Standish by Durgin  (6 3/4 inches)



Lancaster by Gorham  (6 1/4 inches)

Butter Pick Knife

Another odd piece, the Butter Pick Knife, seems to be a combination between a butter pick with the tines on the side of the blade and a flat blade butter spreader. They tend to be longer than Butter Spreaders. However, their unique design makes them hard to miss.


Chantilly by Gorham


Evangeline by Alvin (7 1/8 inches)



New Standish by Durgin  (6 3/4 inches)



Lancaster by Gorham  (6 1/4 inches)

Cupid by Albert Coles and Co.

Albert Coles and Co. introduced their Cupid pattern in 1870 (not be confused with the Cupid patterns of Shiebler and Dominick and Haff). The pattern is very distinct image of cupid carrying a horn. The terminal is longer than most patterns and slopes gently into the stem. There is an empty medallion area suitable for engraving. The pattern is quite lovely, especially when one considers it is 143 years old.

Master Salt Spoon (3 1/2 inches)



Flat Handle Master Butter Knife (7 inches)

Various Patterns by Cartier

I can find little out about Cartier Sterling flatware patterns. Here are some examples of the designs of a few of the other patterns (other than Du Roi which I posted on earlier). The lines range from slick art deco to art noveau. They do all seem to have a twisted gold band at the bottom of the stem in common. However, as I said earlier, since Cartier is a French company, it doesn't fall into my bailiwick of American Sterling Flatware. Ah, but we can wander.

De Louis Cartier (Solid Serving Fork)





La Maison De La Belle Epoque 



De Must (Salad Fork)

Marie Louise By Towle

Towle introduced Marie Louise in 1939. At that time it became the official sterling pattern for all US Embassies abroad. The design is simple but elegant with a double line running from the top of the terminal down each side of the stem. There is a nice line at the base of the stem and there is a simple motif at the very end of the terminal.

Dessert Fork



Cheese Knife



Cocktail Fork





Hollow Handle Gravy Ladle

Essex by Towle

What a lovely solid looking pattern. Essex was introduced by Towle in 1890. The terminal has a motif of scrolls, the stem is slim and delicate, leading into a beautiful shoulder on the different pieces.

Sugar Spoon  (5 7/8 inches)




Old Style Pickle Fork (5 7/8 inches)



Cream Ladle  (5 inches)

Cheese Plane

The Cheese Plane is another cheese serving piece. Most have a stainless plane. You will see that all the examples I show are from Towle. Other companies list the piece in the patterns, however I could not find an example of it. I noted that the oldest of these Towle patterns only go back to the mid-1930's which make me think this may be a piece added later on since Towle has patterns dating back to the 1800's. 

Candlelight by Towle (8 3/4 inches)



French Provincial by Towle (9 1/8 inches)



Old Lace by Towle (9 1/4 inches)



Fontana by Towle ( 5/8 inches)

Contour by Towle

I generally prefer the older more decorative patterns, however, I thought it worth my time to share this pattern with you. Contour was introduced by Towle in 1950. One  source said it was 

"the first American sterling pattern to manifest post-World War II organic modernist design and the only production-line American flatware included in the Museum of Modern Art's Good Design exhibitions." I did find some discrepancy among sources as to who was the designer. One source said it was designed by Collin B. Richmond and another gave the design credit to Robert J. King.

The design is quite clean and simple, for whomever credit should go to. 

Bon Bon Spoon (4 7/8 inches)

Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork  (6 1/4 inches)

Hollow Handle Knife  (8 3/4 inches)

Pierced Table Serving Spoon  (8 3/4 inches)