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, November 27, 2017

Edgemont aka Late Georgian by Gorham

Gorham orginally introduced this pattern as Late Georgian in 1934. It is an Art Deco design. Then in 1987 Gorham reintroduced the same pattern as Edgemont.

Salad Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Orange Knife (7 inches)

Sugar Tongs (3 3/4 inches)

Ice Tea Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Friday, November 24, 2017

Contempora by Dominick and Haff

Contempora introduced in 1930 by Dominick and Haff. The pattern was designed by Eleicl Saarinen. The unique design is based on the art deco shape of the Chrysler Building in New York.

Grille Knife (8 1/2 inches)

Fruit/Orange Spoon (6 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (5 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Alexander by Dominick and Haff

Alexandra was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1903.

Fish Fork (6 1/4 inches)

Sugar Sifter (6 inches)

Long Handle Olive Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Monday, November 20, 2017

Sandwich Fork Part 2

I posted on this piece earlier. The Sandwich Fork is a practical piece that is not easily found. Often it is mistaken for a small potato fork.

Roman by JB and SM Knowles (7 7/8 inches)

Plymouth by Gorham (7 inches)

Virginia Carvel by Towle (7 1/4 inches)

Friday, November 17, 2017

Japanese by Tiffany

Japanese was introduced by Tiffany in 1871. The pattern was designed by Edward G. Moore (1827-1891)who was Tiffany's chief designer This was Tiffany's first silverware in the Japanese style and was a dramatic departure from earlier patterns. It became one of their most highly acclaimed patterns.

There were patterns by many other companies named "Japanese", but Tiffany's was by far the most esteemed.

Table Serving Spoon (8 3/4 inches)

Master Butter (8 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (9 1/2 inches)

Cheese Knife (7 inches)

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Trout Serving Pieces

Trout Serving Forks and Trout Serving Knives are listed in many patterns. However, I could only find examples in Old Colonial by Towle.

Trout Serving Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Serving Fork (10 inches)

Monday, November 13, 2017

Summer Song by Lunt

Nord Bowlen designed Summer Song for Lunt. It was introduced in 1954. Bowlen also designed Sweetheart Rose (1951), Eloquence (1953), and Starfire (1955) for Lunt.

Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)

Iced Tea Spoon (7 3/8 inches)

Cheese Knife (7 1/8 inches)

Salad Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Friday, November 10, 2017

Pembroke by Gorham

Gorham's Pembroke pattern dates back to 1895.

Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Sardine Serving Fork (5 1/8 inches)

Jelly Knife (7 inches)

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Stardust by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Stardust pattern in 1957. It was designed by Richard L. Huggins. Note the shooting stars in the design on the pierced Bon Bon Spoon.

Pastry Server (10 1/2 inches)