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?

Friday, September 2, 2016

Lenox by Gorham

Another old Gorham pattern, Lenox was designed by William C. Codman and introduced in 1897. Codman also designed
  Strasbourg (1897), Marguerite(1901), Florentine (1901), Etruscan (1901) Fleury 
(1909)Tuilleries (1906)Albemarle,  New Queens (1899)Albemarle (1894) and Imperial Chrysanthemum (1898)


Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)



Old French Hollow handle Knife (8 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Chow Chow Spoons Part 2

A while back I posted about Chow Chow SpoonsChow Chow is a condiment made from green tomatoes, cabbage, mustard seed, and some type of hot pepper. Here are some more examples of these spoons.


Old Colonial by Towle (6 3/8 inches)

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Mary Chilton by Towle (6 1/4 inches)

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Old Newbury by Towle (6 3/8 inches)



Old Mirror by Towle (5 7/8 inches)

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Monday, August 29, 2016

Narragansett by Gorham

One of Gorham's more detailed patterns. Narragansett was introduced by Gorham in 1878. The design is a shell motif. 


Olive fork/spoon (11 1/4 inches)




Friday, August 26, 2016

Touraine by Gorham

Gorham introduced its Touraine pattern in 1917. The are many unique details of this pattern if one looks closely.


Fork (7 inches)



Teaspoon (5 3/4 inches)






Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Vergennes by Frank Smith

Frank Smith's Vergennes pattern was introduced in 1913. 

Oyster Fork (5 1/2 inches)




Individual Pie Fork (6 3/4 inches)



Demitasse Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

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)