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, November 18, 2016

Oxford by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton introduced their Oxford pattern in 1928. Don't confuse this with Gorham's Oxford pattern of 1895.

Teaspoon (6 inches)



Lemon Fork (4 3/8 inches)



Small Sugar Tongs (4 1/4 inches)







Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Juliana by Watson

Juliana was introduced in 1938 by Watson. The pattern was designed by Percy B. Ball. It is a simple design with a straight raised edge encircling the stem, topped with a bold element on the terminal that does not overwhelm it. Among several others, Ball also designed Dorian Rose for Watson in 1937. 


Ice Cream Fork (5 5/8 inches)



Iced Tea Spoon (7 3/8 inches)



Cheese Server (6 1/2 inches)



Jelly Server (7 inches)




Monday, November 14, 2016

Victoria-New by Watson

Victoria -New that Watson introduced in 1900, is totally different from their Victoria-Old (1890) pattern, 

Cucumber Server (6 1/4 inches)



Carving Knife (10 7/8 inches)



Fork (7 1/8 inch)




Friday, November 11, 2016

Gadroon by International

International introduced their Gadroon pattern in 1933. It is a simple but elegant pattern with its ribbed edges.

Salad Fork (6 3/8 inches)



Small Casserole Spoon ( 8 7/8 inches)



Egg Server (9 inches)




Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)





Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Sovereign Old by Gorham

Sovereign Old was introduced by Gorham in 1941. 

Iced Teaspoon (7 5/8 inches)


Sugar Tongs (4 inches)





Ice Cream Fork (5 1/2 inches)



Lemon Fork (4 7/8 inches)








Monday, November 7, 2016

Tulip by Fessenden

Fessenden introduced their Tulip pattern in 1910. It is beautiful, ornate, and a work of art.

Individual Pie Fork (5 1/4 inches)

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Orange Spoon (5 3/8 inches)


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Large Cream Ladle (4 1/4 inches(

Friday, November 4, 2016

Napkin Rings Part 2

I posted earlier on Napkin Rings. These are beautiful pieces that can extend your pattern. 

Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff

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Sovereign Old by Gorham

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Lily-Floral by Whiting 

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Rose Scroll by Gorham

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Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Royal Husk by C. J. Vander/ Wallace

This is an interesting pattern. Royal Husk was originally introduced by C. J. Vander, when I do not know. Then it was discontinued. In 2008 Wallace re-introduced the pattern - same name, same design. Note the sheathes of wheat at the bottom of the stem.

Seafood Fork (5 1/8 inches)



Master Butter Knife (6 1/4 inches)

CJ Vander Royal Husk Flat Handle Master Butter Knife






Monday, October 31, 2016

Starfire by Lunt

Nord Bowlen designed Starfire for Lunt which was introduced in 1955. Following the trend of the 50's and 60's, the pattern has a plain stem with a bit of decor added at the bottom. Bowlen also designed Sweetheart Rose (1951), Summer Song (1954), and Eloquence (1953) for Lunt. 


Short Handle Olive Fork (5 5/8  inches)



Oval Soup Spoon (6 1/2 inches)



Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)






Fish Serving Fork - Large

The Fish Serving Fork come in two sizes - large and small. That said, the sizes of over lap in different patterns. I found examples of large Fish Serving Forks as large as 9 5/8 inches and as small as 7 7/8 inches. Here are a few examples of the "Large" size.

Poppy by Gorham (Large) (8 1/2 inches) 




Japanese by Gorham (9 inches)




French Renaissance by Reed and Barton (7 7/8 inches)

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