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?

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Palm by Frank Whiting

Frank Whiting introduced their Palm pattern in 1887. Frederick Schmidt designed the pattern. Schmidt also designed Oxalis (1889) for Whiting.

Fruit / Orange Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Ice Cream Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Vegetable Serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)

Sugar Tongs (3 3/4 inches)

Monday, May 6, 2019

Georgian Shell by Frank Whiting

Charles F. Simms designed Georgian Shell for Frank Whiting. It was introduced in 1948. Simms also designed Liberty (1916) for Watson, and Martha Hilton (1914) for Watson, and Talisman Rose (1948) for Frank Whiting.

Tomato Server (7 5/8 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 inches)

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Friday, May 3, 2019

Talisman Rose by Frank Whiting

Frank Whiting's Talisman Rose was designed by Charles F. Simms and introduced in 1948. Simms also designed Liberty (1916) for Watson, and Martha Hilton (1914) for Watson, and Georgian Shell (1948) for Frank Whiting.

Dinner Fork ( 7 1/8 inches)

Ham Slicer (14 5/8 inches)

Lemon Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Filet Knife (8 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Rose of Sharon by Frank Whiting

Frank Whiting introduced their Rose of Sharon pattern in 1954.

HH Paddle Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Jelly Server ( 6 3/8 inches)

Pierced Vegetable Serving Spoon ( 9 1/8 inches)

Salad Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Monday, April 29, 2019

Olympian by Tiffany

Tiffany introduced their Olympian pattern in 1878. It was designed by F. Antoine Heller, who later went on to design for Gorham. The pattern is multi motif, with different designs representing various Olympic sports.

Oversize Sugar Sifter (8 1/4 inches)

Asparagus Serving Fork (9 1/2 inches)

Salad Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Sorbet Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Friday, April 26, 2019

Coligni by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Coligni pattern in 1889. Antone Heller designed the multi motif pattern. Heller was one of (if not the best IMHO) designer for Gorham. Earlier he worked for Tiffany. Other patterns designed by Heller include Old Masters (1885), Apostles (1885), Olympian (Tiffany 1878), Fontainebleau (1882), and Saint Cloud (1885).

Mustard Spoon (5 inches)

Individual Salad Fork (6 7/8 inches)

Fruit / Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Tea Caddy Spoon

The purpose of the Tea Caddy Spoon is to measure dry tea leaves. Here are a few examples.

Hagie by Frank Whiting (4 inches)

Multi-Motif (Grapevine) by Tiffany 4 3/4 inches)

Berry by Frank Whiting (3 1/2 inches)

Renaissance by Tiffany (4 3/4 inches)

Monday, April 22, 2019

Hagie by Frank Whiting

Frank Whiting's 1885 pattern Hagie is a repousse design. However, unlike most repousse patterns that are floral, Hagie is more botanical.

Sugar Shell (5 7/8 inches)

Tea Knife (6 1/2 inches)

Small Berry Spoon (8 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Repousse by Jenkins and Jenkins

In 1910, Jenkins and Jenkins introduced their Repousse pattern.

Vegetable Serving Fork (9 1/4 inches)

Small Solid Pie Knife (7 3/4 inches)

Sugar Shell (6 inches)

Food Pusher ( 3 1/4 inches)

Monday, April 15, 2019

Michelangelo By Oneida

Frank Perry designed Michelangelo in 1970 for Oneida. Perry also designed Flower Lane (1957), First Frost (1965), Belle Rose (1963), Botticelli (1949), and Du Maurier (1967).

Small Steak Carving Knife (11 5/8 inches)

Sugar Shell (6 inches)