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?

Monday, January 16, 2017

Wood Wind by Reed and Barton

This is a relatively new pattern, being introduced in 1986. Woodwind by Reed and Barton is now discontinued. It is a simple but elegant pattern with a double lined edge and small detail on the end of the terminal.

Sugar Shell (6 1/4 inches)

Hollow Handle Knife (9 inches)

Lasagne Server (10 1/2 inches)

Friday, January 6, 2017

Orange Blossom by Durgin

Durgin introduced their Orange Blossom pattern in 1898. This should not be confused with the Old Orange Blossom by Alvin.

Orange Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Terrapin Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Jermyn by Watson

Charles S. Court designed Jermyn for Watson and it was released in 1896.

Almond Scoop (4 3/8 inches)

Cold Meat Fork (6 inches)

Monday, January 2, 2017

Victorian aka Sheraton by Durgin

Durgin introduced Victorian also known as Sheraton in 1918.

Pie Fork (6 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 7/8 inches)

Butter Spreader (5 1/4 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 inches)

Friday, December 30, 2016

Terrapin Forks Part 3

One of the more exotic pieces, the Terrapin Fork, like its mate the Terrapin Spoon, were designed for eating terrapin and terrapin soup, both luxuries in the Victorian and Edwardian times.

Avalon by International (5 3/8 inches)

Orange Blossom by Durgin (5 1/4 inches)

Marquise by Tiffany (5 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Lily by Watson

Eustace Crees & Charles S. Court designed Watson's Lily pattern that was released in 1902. It is one of the more lovely of the many "Lily" patterns including Gorham. Court desinged many patterns including Narcissus by Fessendun , as well as Wild Rose, Orchid, Olympia, and Altair by Watson.

Fork (7 inches)

Ice Cream (5 inches)

Fruit/Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Monday, December 26, 2016

Marlborough by Watson

Watson introduced Marlborough in 1918. It was designed by Barton P. Jenks. Jenks also designed Lenox for Durgin 1912, Lansdowne by Gorham 1907, and Shamrock V by Gorham 1931.

Dinner Fork (7 7/8 inches)

Pickle Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Cheese Server (6 1/4 inches)

Friday, December 23, 2016

Chantilly Ornaments by Gorham

Gorham produces a different sterling Christmas Tree ornament each year using the design of their ever popular Chantilly pattern. Here are some examples of past years.

2013 Ball

2014 Snowflake

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Gorham Buttercup Christmas Ornaments

Gorham produces a different sterling Christmas Tree ornament each year using their more popular designs. Here are some examples of Buttercup Ornaments in the past years.

Cross (2000)