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, April 7, 2014

Lilly (88) by Gorham

Gorham's pattern Lilly, also called 88, was introduced in 1870 and only discontinued in 1991. This is another Gorham pattern having the design on a large terminal with a relatively small thin stem only adorned with a simple element toward the shoulder. The terminal of this pattern is adorned with an intricate design of lily of the valley and other elements in a three dimensional motif. All this makes these pieces more like works of art more than eating utensils. 



Oyster Ladle (11  inches)




Ice Cream Slicer (8 7/8  inches)









Friday, April 4, 2014

Imperial by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Imperial pattern in 1891. If you look closely you can see the same basic lines in this design as those in Gorham's Chantilly, King George, and Poppy to name a few. The design is simple with just a plain terminal and stem edged with a double line. An embellishment separates the terminal from the stem.


Salad Fork (6 inches)


Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Individual Salad/Pastry Fork

Flat Handled Butter Spreader (5 3/8  inches)


Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Bouillon Soup Spoon (5 3/8  inches)

Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Bouillon)


Small Sugar Sifter (5 3/4  inches)


Gorham Silver Imperial (Sterling, 1891) Small Sugar Sifter

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Grecian by Gorham

Grecian is one of Gorham's older patterns, introduced in 1861. The design is different from the traditional ones in that it has a simple thin stem with the pattern itself being the terminal. The design on the terminal resembles a fan of feathers.

Teaspoon ( 5 7/8 inches)


Large Sugar Sifter (7 3/8  inches)



Nut Pick (5  inches)

Monday, March 31, 2014

Worthington by Kirk Stieff

Worthington also known as Severn was introduced by Kirk Stieff in 1940. This design is reminiscent of art deco with straight lines, fans, and the like. It is a fairly unique pattern.

Cocktail Fork (5 3/4 inches)
Cocktail/seafood Fork


Large Sherbet Spoon ( 5  1/4 inches)
Large Sherbet Spoon

Solid Bon Bon Spoon ( 5 7/8 inches)
Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Cake Server (10  1/2 inches)
Pie And Cake Server With Stainless Blade

Friday, March 28, 2014

Chippendale by Gorham

Gorham introduced Chippendale in 1890. The pattern has a beaded edge that runs from the shoulder of each piece up the stem around the terminal and back down the stem. There is a fan motif on the end of the terminal with lines resembling stems rising from the bottom of the stem of the piece and fanning out at the bottom of the terminal. The fancy work on the serving pieces is what looks like drapes of laurel and ferns. Overall, it is a very unique pattern.

Ice Cream Spoon  (5 3/4 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Fish Serving Knife (Lg) (11 1/2 inches)

Large Solid Fish Serving Knife

Large Fish Serving Fork  (8 1/4 inches)
Large Solid Fish Serving Fork

Master Butter Knife ( 6 7/8 inches)
Flat Handle Bright Cut Master Butter



Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Southern Rose by Manchester

Another repousse pattern with a rose design is Southern Rose by Manchester introduced in 1933.. The rose blossoms and leaves look very similar to other repousse patterns. However, if you look closely, you can see subtle differences in each. All are lovely designs.

Seafood Fork (5 1/2 inches)
Cocktail/seafood Fork

Pierced Cheese Server (5 1/4 inches)
Solid Pierced Cheese Server

Baby Knife (5 1/4 inches)
Baby Knife With Silverplate Blade

Fruit Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)
Fruit/orange Spoon


Monday, March 24, 2014

Marsailles by Alvin

Marsailles was introduced by Alvin in 1890. It is very similar to their Lorraine pattern in design.

Berry Spoon (8 1/4 inches)

Large Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Small Cold meat Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)

Teaspoon

Mayonnaise Ladle  (5 1/8 inches)

Mayonnaise Ladle

Friday, March 21, 2014

Brocade by International

Brocade is a traditional looking pattern I am surprised they did not attach a "Rose" moniker to due the rose floral motif in the design. The pattern is relatively new (1950).


Salad Fork (6 1/2  inches)

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Tomato Server (7 7/8 inches)

P0000042216S0089T2.jpg (600×233)

Lemon Fork  (4 3/4  inches)

P0000042216S0083T2.jpg (600×89)

Steak Knife (8 5/8  inches)

P0000042216S0094T2.jpg (600×72)

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Baby Fork

Another part of the set of Baby Pieces, this is the Baby Fork.


Rose Point by Wallace (4 3/8 inches)



Japanese by Tiffany  (5 inches)




Prince Eugene by Alvin (5 1/8 inches)



Severn-Worthington  by Kirk Stieff (3 7/8 inches)

Monday, March 17, 2014

New Queens by Durgin

Durgin introduced New Queens in 1900. Note the mirrored scallop shell motif on the terminal. You will also see a continuation on the shell motif on the shoulder of the serving pieces. Although the lines along the stem are simple, their simple curves together with the scallops make for an elegant pattern.


Fork

Durgin New Queens (Sterling,1900) Fork
Jelly Knife

Durgin New Queens (Sterling, 1900, Monograms) Large Jelly Knife
Knife
Durgin New Queens (Sterling,1900) Blunt Hollow Knife with Bolster

Long Handle Pickle Fork
Durgin New Queens (Sterling,1900) Long Handle Pickle/Olive Fork