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?

Friday, September 16, 2016

Chipped Beef Fork - Part 4

A while back I posted on Chipped Beef Forks, here are some more examples.

Louis IV by Towle (6 3/4 inches)
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Georgian by Towle (6 3/8 inches)
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Versailles by Gorham (6 1/2 inches)

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Mount Vernon by Lunt (6 inches)

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Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Japanese by Gorham

Gorham's Japanese pattern dates back to 1870, making it one of the their patterns.

Master Butter Knife (7 1/4 inches)

Ice Serving Spoon (9 1/2 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (9 inches)

Table Serving Spoon (8 5/8 inches)

Monday, September 12, 2016

Poppy by Baker Manchester

Another "Poppy" pattern, Baker Manchester's Poppy is also multi motif. Note the difference of the poppy motif on the tip of the terminals of these difference pieces.

Pierced Olive Spoon (6 3/8 inches)

Cocktail Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Chipped Beef Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Sugar Tongs (4 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Poppy by Gorham

Gorham introduced their multi motif Poppy pattern in 1902. I was surprised when I realized that in the years I have been writing this blog, I have not posted this pattern, since it was one of the first examples I added to my collection.

Tomato Server (6 1/4 inches)

Two Tine Butter Pick (5 7/8 inches)

Fruit/Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Small Sugar Sifter (5 3/8 inches)

Monday, September 5, 2016

Josephine by Alvin

Alvin introduced their Josephine pattern in 1910. It is a fairly simple pattern with a double edge and simple motif on the tip of the terminal. There are several other patterns of the same name including Josephine by Frank Whiting and Josephine by Mount Vernon.

Large Sugar Tongs (5 1/2 inches)

Individual Pie Fork (6 inches)

Strawberry Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Flat Handled Butter Spreader (5 7/8 inches)

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 Spoons. Chow 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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