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, August 11, 2014

Arlington by Towle

Towle introduced Arlington in 1884. It is a multi-motif pattern which means that there are different designs on different pieces. If you will note each example below has a different motif representing a few that are repeated in the pattern.

Small Ice Cream Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Dinner Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Sugar Spoon (6 inches)

Sugar Sifter (6 7/8 inches)

Friday, August 8, 2014

Florentine by Gorham

Gorham introduced its Florentine pattern in 1901. It was designed by William C. Codman. Codman designed many of Gorham's patterns including Etruscan, Fleury, Tuileries, Albemarle, New Queens, and Imperial Chrysanthemum. The design in this pattern is elaborate and full of many details. I think it is it his finest work.

Fish Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Flat Handled Butter Spreader ( 6 1/8 inches)

Ice Serving Spoon (9 inches)

Solid Vegetable Serving Spoon (9 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Demitasse Spoon (Part 2)

I always forget how small Demitasse Spoons are until I compare them to a standard teaspoon. Here are some more examples of Demitasse Spoons. I have posted on these earlier.

Bridal Rose by Alvin (4 1/8 inches)

Nuremburg by Alvin (4 1/8 inches)

King Edward by Whiting (4 inches)

WDS-10 by Whiting (4 1/8 inches)

Monday, August 4, 2014

Cordova by Towle

Towle introduced their Cordova pattern in 1902. It is a fairly modest design of a beaded edge with the terminal tipped with a fan that is knotted in a unique fashion. However, the beauty in the design is the exquisite fret work in the tines of the forks and serving pieces.

Salad Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Large Sardine Serving Fork (4 3/4 inches)

Cucumber Server (6 1/8 inches)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Friday, August 1, 2014

One Tine Butter Pick - Part 3

Once again, some examples of the One Tine Butter Pick as I have posted on before, one of the more interesting pieces in every flatware pattern.

Repousse by Kirk Stieff (6 inches)

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (4 7/8 inches)

Milburn Rose by Westmorland (6 inches)

Violet by Wallace (5 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Marcell by International

In 1907 International introduced Marcell. The design is one of leaves and vines around an elongated terminal with an edge similar to an unfolded scroll. The pattern is different and lovely.

Salad Fork (6 1/8 inches)
Individual Salad Fork

Bouillon Ladle (8 inches)

Long Handle Pickle Fork (8 5/8 inches)
Long Handle Pickle/olive Fork

Monday, July 28, 2014

La Rochelle by International

La Rochelle by International was introduced in 1909. The design is a unique and elaborate pattern. The shoulders of the serving pieces are decorated with a pair of leafy boughs. The terminal design is one of a combination of leaves and branches. A flower divides the terminal from the stem.

Small Chipped Beef Fork ( inches)

Fruit Knife (inches)
Individual Fruit Knife With Silverplate Blade

Small Berry Spoon ( inches)
Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Large Jelly Knife ( inches)

Friday, July 25, 2014

Abbottsford by International

International introduced Abbottsford in 1907. The pattern is a unique design of a terminal surrounded by leaves with an oval suitable for engraving. The stem is several straight lines that are decorated with 3 cross pieces as if they were bundles being corded together.

Fish Fork (7 inches)

Small Sugar Sifter (5 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Richmond by Alvin

A second Richmond pattern is that introduced b Alvin in 1929. This design is quite simple with a beaded edge and a pointed terminal with a small star like symbol on it.

Fruit Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Hollow Handled Knife (9 3/4 inches)

Old Style Pickle Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Bob Bon Spoon (4 3/8 inches)

Monday, July 21, 2014

Richmond by Towle

There are at least 3 Richmond patterns. This is the one by Towle. It was introduced in 1901. While the pattern itself is decorative and attractive with a balanced flourish on the tip of the terminal, double edge around the stem and terminal, and detail at the bottom of the stem, it is nothing special. However, the serving pieces are exquisite. The details on the tine on the butter pick, the shoulder and tines on the beef fork, and the design on the berry spoon (which is an enlargement of the flourish on the tip of the terminal) turn this into a simply beautiful pattern by Towle.

One Tine Butter Pick (7 1/2 inches)

Medium Chipped Beef Fork (7 3/8 inches)

Hollow Handled Dinner Knife (9 1/4 inches)

Small Berry Spoon (8 inches)