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, June 9, 2017

Clinton by JB and SM Knowles

Unlike Tiffany's Clinton pattern, Knowles' Clinton pattern is much more ornate. It dates back to 1880.

Table Serving Spoon (8 3/4 inches)

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Sugar Shell (6 inches)

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Flat Handle Master Butter Knife (7 1/2 inches)

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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Gumbo Soup Spoons (Part 2)

Another selection of Gumbo Soup Spoons. I have posted on these earlier.

Chantilly by Gorham (6 5/8 inches)

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Repousse by Kirk Stieff  (& 5/8 inches)

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Marlborough by Reed and Barton (7 1/4 inches)

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Chapel Bells by Alvin (6 7/8 inches)

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Monday, June 5, 2017

Louis XVI by Dominick and Haff

Dominick and Haff introduced their Louis XVI pattern in 1925. (Reed and Barrton, Gorham, Louis Gantereau, Shreve Silver, and Mount Vernon also had patterns by that name.) 

Fork (7 1/8  inches)

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Cream Ladle (5 1/2 inches)

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Salad Serving Fork (9 inches)

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Friday, June 2, 2017

Brunswick by Watson

I could not find a year of introduction for Watson's Brunswick pattern. I will continue looking. It is a lovely pattern nonetheless.


Old Style Pickle Fork (5 1/4  inches)

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Butter Knife (6 1/2  inches)

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Sugar Shell (5 1/2 inches)

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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Marguerite by Gorham

Marguerite was introduced by Gorham in 1901 and designed by William Codman It was designed by William C. Codman who designed many of Gorham's  patterns including FlorentineEtruscanFleuryTuileriesAlbemarle,  New Queens, and Imperial Chrysanthemum

Like Codman's other patterns for Gorham, Marguerite is fancy and detailed with a floral design that winds its way up the stem. The terminal is left blank for monogramming with a single blossom on the tip.

Fish Fork (5 7/8 inches)


Butter Spreader (5 7/8 inches)


Long Handled Chocolate Muddler (8 3/8 inches)



Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Monday, May 29, 2017

Melon Serving Knife


Another unique sterling piece that I could find references to in many patterns, but examples in only these two, the Melon Serving Knife.


Old English by Towle (7 3/4 inches)

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Acorn by Georg Jensen (10 3/8 inches)

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Friday, May 26, 2017

Individual Fruit Cocktail Fork

Although I have found references to this piece in many patterns, I could only find an example in Kirk Stieff's Repousse pattern. Here is the Individual Fruit Cocktail Fork .

Repousse by Kirk Stieff  (6 inches)

Friday, April 14, 2017

Dorechester - New by International

In 1941 International Silver introduced their 2nd Dorchester pattern, Dorchester - New, a totally different pattern from Dorchester -Old.

French Hollow Knife (9 inches)



Sugar Spoon (5 3/4 inches)





Medium Cold meat Serving Fork (8 3/4 inches)


Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Dorchester -Old by International

International had 2 "Dorchester" patterns. Both of these of different from Watson's Dorchester. This is their Dorchester -Old which they introduced in 1910.

Orange Spoon (5 1/2 inches)



Butter Spreader (5 1/8 inches)



Tea Fork (5 3/4 inches)



Short Handled Olive Spoon (5 7/8 inches)






Monday, April 10, 2017

Dorchester by Watson

In 1905 Watson introduced their Dorchester pattern.

Cream Ladle (4 3/4 inches)



Pastry Fork (6 3/4 inches)



Bon Bon Scoop (4 1/2 inches)



Oyster Fork (5 3/8 inches)