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 7, 2015

Gorham's Description of Their Pattern, The Baronial

Several years ago I posted on Gorham's Baronial pattern. Recently I came across a copy of the Gorham Handbook : Sterling Silver Spoons and Forks which is a reproduction of the original such handbook distributed by the Gorham company in 1909. In it they give a description of many of their more popular (and their favorite) patterns.

Their description of "The Baronial" is:

"This pattern in point of design pure Renaissance; is strong and massive, and embodying all the characteristics of that period. Hence this design will be appreciated by those who seek a pattern especially designed to suit massive surroundings."


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Poached Egg Server Part 2

Heraldic, Waverly

Old English by Towle (8 1/8 inches)




Monday, October 5, 2015

Silver Plumes by Towle

Towle introduced their Silver Plumes pattern in 1939. Like the name implies the stem and terminal reflect the plumes of a feather. The floral motif at the base of the stem is a nice touch to the design. 



Casserole Spoon (10 1/4 inches)







Fish Fork (7 3/4 inches)



French Hollow Knife (8 3/4 inches)




Fish Serving Knife (11 3/4 inches)



Friday, October 2, 2015

Corn Spear

I never even knew this piece existed until last week when one of the owners of a favorite antique store of mine pulled a set out. I had no idea what they were until she revealed they were a set of sterling Corn Spears, used to genteelly hold an ear of corn, allowing the diner to enjoy the corn without touching the cob. 

Repousse by Kirk Stieff  ( 3 1/4 inches)




Wadefiled by Kirk Stieff (3 5/8 inches)

Click to Enlarge

Lenore by Manchester (3 7/8 inches)

Click to Enlarge

Godroonette by Machester (3 3/4 inches)

Click to Enlarge

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Saxon by Birks

Saxon by Birks, introduced in 1914, is a simple but substantial elegant pattern with a double edge encircling the handle. 

Individual Fish Knife (8 3/8 inches)



Steak Carving Fork ( 1/4 inches)




Pastry Server (8 inches)




Tomato Server (6 7/8 inches)





Monday, September 28, 2015

Saxon by Wallace

Wallace Introduced its Saxon patter in 1910. It was designed by Henrik Hillbom. Hillbom also designed Wallace's  Renaissance (1925), Irian (1902), and Peony (1906) patterns.

Fish Serving Fork (9 inches)



French Hollow Handle Knife (9 3/4 inches)




Baby Spoon (4 3/4 inches)




Sugar Spoon (6 inches)



Friday, September 25, 2015

Buttercup by Gorham

One of Gorham's most popular and enduring pattern's, Buttercup dates back to 1899. From a personal standpoint, I have many fond memories of meals served by my very prim and proper Aunt Kat using her Buttercup sterling  flatware.


Demitasse Spoon (4 1/8 inches)




Punch Ladle (14 1/2 inches)




Cheese Knife (7 7/8 inches)




Two Tine Butter Pick  (5 3/4 inches)





Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Top 50 Most Popular Sterling Flatware Patterns of the 20th Century

Based on the book, Silverware of the 20th Century, the Top 250 Patterns, the following is the list of the top 50 patterns (in alphabetical order). Two caveats here: this is silverware of the 20th century and there were some lovely patterns of the 19th century and this is the First Edition of this book, published in 1997. 

More interesting is that out of these 50 patterns, 2 are stainless (ST) and 5 are silver plate (SP), leaving 43 sterling (SS)

Any way the top 50 most popular patterns (in alphabetical order) are:

Buttercup by Gorham
Candlelight by Towle
Chantilly by Gorham
Classic Rose by Reed and Barton
Coronation by Onieda/Heirloom (SP)
Daffodil by International (SP)
Damask Rose by Onieda/Heirloom
Eternally Yours by International (SP)
Fairfax by Gorham
First Love by International (SP)
Francis I by Reed and Barton
French Provincial by Towle
Grand Baroque by Wallace
Joan of Arc by International
King Richard by Towle
Old Master by Towle
Prelude by International
Remembrance by International (SP)
Repousse by Kirk Stieff
Rondo by Gorham
Rose Point by Wallace
Royal Danish by International
Shelley by Onieda/Heirloom (ST)
Strasbourg by Gorham
Venetia by Onieda/Heirloom (ST)

Monday, September 21, 2015

Rondo by Gorham

Rondo is a very simple pattern introduce by Gorham in 1951. The design has a simple edge with a rose motif on the end of the terminal.






Infant Feeding Spoon (5 5/8 inches)



Salad Fork (6 1/2 inches)



Cake Breaker (11 inches)




Bird Fork (7 1/8 inches)