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?

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

New Empire by Gorham

Gorham's New Empire pattern is very old, being introduced in 1895. The pattern is decorated with a Napoleonic style ribbon motif on the terminal with a beaded edge on the stem and a scroll pattern around the lip of the bowl of the spoon.

Large Berry Spoon (9 3/4 inches)

Monday, August 15, 2016

Colonial Rose by Amston

Colonial Rose was introduced in 1948 by Amston. The pattern is a simple one with a simple motif of roses on the tip and bottom of the terminal.

Casserole Spoon (9 1/8 inches)

Hollow Handle Knife (8 3/4 inches)

Short Handle Olive Spoon (6 inches)

Friday, August 12, 2016

Long Handled Chocolate Muddler Part 2

Fairfax, Frontenac, Georgian, Lancaster, New Vintage, Violet, Watson,

I have posted on Chocolate Pieces earlier, here are some examples of Long Handled Chocolate Muddlers.

Number 10 by Dominick and Haff (7 1/2 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham (8 3/8 inches)

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Irving by Wallace (8 inches)

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Bridal Rose by Alvin (8 1/4 inches)

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Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Burgundy by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton introduced Burgundy on 1949.

Bottle Opener (5 1/2 inches)

Oval Soup Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Poultry Sheers (10 7/8 inches)

Joint/Roast Holder (10 7/8 inches)

Monday, August 8, 2016

Hyperion by Whiting

I was shocked when I realized I had not posted on this pattern earlier. Hyperion by Whiting is a strong pattern with a variety of details in the design. It was introduced in 1888.

Small Casserole Spoon (7 7/8 inches)

Bouillon Soup Spoon (5 1/8 inches)

Orange Knife (7 7/8 inches)

Nut Pick (5 1/2 inches)

Friday, August 5, 2016

Old Newbury by Towle

Towle's Old Newbury was introduced in 1900. It is a fairly simple pattern at first glance, but then look again and there are many subtle details.
Ice Cream Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Old Style Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Cucumber Server (6 1/2 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Sauce Ladle Part 3

As I have posted earlier on Sauce Ladles, they vary greatly. Here we have an example of a square cup (Japanese), a deep cup (Royal Danish), and with a side spout (Palm Beach). Size also varies, these 4 examples alone vary from 5 7/8 inches to 7 1/2 inches. Still whatever the variation this is a beautiful very useful piece.

Japanese by Tiffany (5 7/8 inches)
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Royal Danish by International (6 1/2 inches)

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Old Danish by Georg Jensen (7 1/2 inches)

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Palm Beach by Buccellita (6 7/8 inches)

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Monday, August 1, 2016

Mary Chilton by Towle

Towle's Mary Chilton pattern was introduced in 1912.The pattern's namesake was one of only 11 female children who survived the crossing of the Mayflower. Lore has it she was the first to put foot on the "New World" - she was so excited she jumped out of the boat.