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?

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Sappho by Wallace

Sappho by Wallace (1895) is a lovely but unusual pattern. The strong motif on the terminal is repeated on the shoulders of the spoons and forks.  The design is unique but makes a pretty piece.

Small Chipped Beef Fork (6 1/4 inches)





Cake Saw (10 1/4 inches)

Cake Saw With Silverplate Blade

Salad Fork (5 7/8 inches)



Large Berry Spoon (9 inches)




Monday, October 6, 2014

Romaine (aka Monique) by Reed and Barton

George L. Turner designed Romaine (which is also known as Monique) for Reed and Barton in 1933. Turner was also the designer of Reed and Barton's 1908 pattern Chambord. Romaine/Monique is a beautiful pattern with a design of leaves all about the terminal, the stem and the shoulder. The terminal has a nice open space for engraving. 




Lemon Fork (5 inches)



Hollow Handle Butter Spreader (6 1/2 inches)



Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)



Iced Teaspoon (7 5/8 inches)


Friday, October 3, 2014

Floral Series #2 by Watson

The Floral Series #2 by Watson is yet another pattern in the series. And the designs in this pattern differ just a bit with more detail of the design on the stem. In addition to the examples shown here other designs include Forget Me Not, Narcissus, Water Lily and Apple Blossom.

Calla Lily (Dessert Fork)


Daisy (Teaspoon 5 3/4 inches)


Fushia (Teaspoon  5 3/4 inches)



Violet (Teaspoon 5 3/4 inches)



Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Orchids by Towle

Orchids by Towle is an old pattern, introduced in 1887. Its design is multi motif in that there are different floral designs on different pieces. If you will note below you can see several examples of the various motifs found in the pattern. This is a gem of a pattern to be so old.
  Large Jelly Spoon (7 1/8 inches)


Cocktail Fork (6 inches)


Cream Ladle (5 7/8 inches)


Five O'Clock Teaspoon (4 1/2 inches)


Large Pie Knife (9 inches)





Monday, September 29, 2014

Stuart by Whiting

Charles Osborne designed Stuart for Whiting and it was introduced in 1911. Osborne also designed  Whiting's Arabesque pattern that was introduced in 1875. Although this pattern is somewhat similar to Wendt's pattern of the same name that was introduced in 1870, they should not be confused. Note the griffon in the terminal's design.

Large Sugar Sifter (6 inches)


Pastry Fork (6 3/8 inches)


Solid Pickle Serving Knife (7 inches)


Large Berry Spoon (9 1/4 inches)

Friday, September 26, 2014

Floral Series #1 by Watson

The Watson Floral designs are in several series. This is only Floral Series #1. In addition to the designs shown here, within this series there are also Rose, Forget Me Not, Iris, Holly, Sweet Clover,Morning Glory and Fushia.

Buttercup - Series #1 (Five O'clock Teaspoon 5 inches)


Sweet Clover- Series #1 (Teaspoon 6 inches)


Orchid - Series #1 (Five O'clock Teaspoon 5 inches)



NarcissusSeries #1 (Five O'clock Teaspoon 5 inches)

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Floral Series by Wallace

There are several "Series" patterns (meaning each piece had a different Floral design) by various silver companies. For the first, we look at the  Floral Series by Wallace. In addition to the designs shown here, included in the series were: Fushia, Passion Flower, Pine Cone, Morning Glory, and Yellow Jasmine.

Orchid (Youth Fork  6 1/4 inches)


Columbine (Teaspoon 5 7/8 inches)

Lily of the Valley (Teaspoon 5 7/8 inches)

Rose (Teaspoon 5 7/8 inches)

Friday, September 19, 2014

Kensington by Gorham

Gorham's Kensington pattern dates back to 1893. It is an elegant balanced pattern that has aged well. The terminal has a feather motif on the tip.

Preserve Spoon (7 7/8 inches)


Fish Fork (6 3/8  inches)



Master Butter Knife (7 1/2 inches)



Large Jelly Knife (8 inches)

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Tapestry by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton introduced Tapestry in 1964. As I have commented often, there are few patterns in the second half on the 20th century that appeal to me. That said, I find this one simple but very elegant. It was designed by John Prip who also designed Contessina for Reed and Barton in 1965, which is another pattern I also admire for a newer design.

Tapestry has the simple lines of a flat ended terminal that leads to a plain thin stem. The terminal is heavily embossed like a deep piece of thick woven tapestry. The design tapers off as if the threads end at the top of the stem and then there is nothing else. It is simplicity at its best.



Cocktail Fork (5 5/8 inches)



Solid Jelly Server (6 1/4 inches)


Hollow Knife (9 inches)


Iced Tea Spoon (7 1/2 inches)


Monday, September 15, 2014

Medici Old by Gorham

Medici Old introduced by Gorham in 1880 is an incredibly ornate Multi Motif pattern. In the middle of the terminal of each piece is a different character. The design carries half way down the stem and is met with a strong pattern of straight lines that continues to the shoulder. 


Fork (7 5/8 inches)


Ice Cream Spoon (5 7/8 inches)


Gravy Ladle (6 3/4 inches)



French Hollow Knife (8 7/8 inches)