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, January 4, 2019

Bessie by Wallace

Wallace's Bessie pattern dates back to 1894.

Demitasse Spoon (3 7/8 inches)

Luncheon Fork (7 inches)

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

WSC4 by Webster

Webster's WSC4 pattern dates back to 1910. I often find that a company's more interesting patterns do not have descriptive names, but just a number. This is a prime example.

Lemon Fork (5 inches)

Solid Petite Server (5 1/8 inches)

One Tine Butter Pick (6 inches)

Monday, December 31, 2018

Wild Rose by Paye and Baker

A bit different from Watson's Wild Rose, Paye and Baker's Wild Rose is still a pattern with a defined design.

Youth Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Five O'Clock Spoon (5 1/8 inches)

Monday, December 24, 2018

Grand Baroque Christmas Heart Ornaments by Wallace

In the style of their Grand Baroque pattern, Wallace produces a different heart shaped ornament every year. Here are a few examples from years past.

Madonna and Child (1993)

Angel and Christ Child (1996)

Holy Family And Donkey (1999)

Friday, December 21, 2018

Gorham Christmas Cross Ornaments (part 2)

Each year Gorham produces a sterling Christmas ornament in the shape of a cross using the design of one of their patterns. These are lovely. I have two friends who have Christmas trees they decorate only with sterling ornaments, including some of these. Here are some examples of past ornaments.

Buttercup (2000)

King Edward (2004)

Fairfax (2001)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Chantilly Ornaments by Gorham (Part 2)

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.

Chantilly Star (2008)

Chantilly Star (2009)

Chantilly Bell (2010)

Monday, December 17, 2018

Towle Flowers of Christmas Medallion (part 2)

For Christmas, Towle has their Flowers of Christmas Medallion collection. A different Medallion (ornament) is released each year.

Poinsettia (1985)

Christmas Rose (1983)

Laurel (1986)

Friday, December 14, 2018

Jac Rose by Gorham

Jac Rose by Gorham dates back to 1889.

Demitasse Spoon (3 3/4 inches)

Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Ionic by John Polhamus

John Polhamsus' Ionic pattern dates back to 1850 (Sterling, 1850)

Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Egg Spoon (4 3/8 inches)

Medium Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 3/8 inches)

Monday, December 10, 2018

Epic by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Epic pattern in 1941. It was designed by J. Russell Price, who also Price also designed King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).

Casserole Spoon (9 inches)

Large Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork ( 9 inches)

Gumbo Soup Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Tomato Server (8 1/8 inches)