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, February 26, 2020

H239 by Gorham

Gorham's H239 pattern has an open design. It is described as "floral"

Strawberry Fork (5 1/8 inches)
Gorham Silver H239 (Sterling) Individual Berry Fork

Monday, February 24, 2020

Firelight by Gorham

A "newer" pattern Gorham's Firelight was introduced in 1959. The design on the top of the stem resembles a stylialized flame. The more modern sleek lines are those that were popular in the 50's. Also, note that the serving spoon has a plastic bowl, unlike the traditional wooden ones, another sign of the times.

Salad Serving Spoon (with plastic bowl) (12 3/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Firelight (Sterling, 1959) Salad Serving Spoon with Plastic Bowl

Gorham Silver Firelight (Sterling, 1959) Salad Serving Spoon with Plastic Bowl

Master Butter Knife (7 1//4 inches)

Gorham Silver Firelight (Sterling, 1959) Hollow Handle Master Butter Knife

Pierced Table Serving Spoon (8 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Firelight (Sterling, 1959) Pierced Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Medium Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver Firelight (Sterling, 1959) Medium Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Friday, February 21, 2020

Grecian by Tiffany

Another "Grecian" pattern Tiffany's Greciean dates back to 1880.

Individual Fish Knife (8 1/8 inches)

Tiffany Grecian (Sterling,1880) Individual Solid Fish Knife

Tiffany Grecian (Sterling,1880) Individual Solid Fish Knife

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Grecian by Whiting

Whiting introduced their Grecian pattern in 1877. It was designed by Henry Hubbard.

Spoon (5 7/8 inches)
Whiting Division Grecian (Sterling, 1862, No Monograms) Teaspoon

Whiting Division Grecian (Sterling, 1862, No Monograms) Teaspoon

Tea Knife (8 1/8 inches)

Whiting Division Grecian (Sterling, 1862, No Monograms) Solid Dessert/Tea Knife

Sugar Tongs (5 1/4 inches)

Whiting Division Grecian (Sterling, 1862, No Monograms) Large Sugar Tongs

Mustard Spoon (5 1/2 inches)Whiting

Whiting Division Grecian (Sterling, 1862, No Monograms) Mustard Spoon

Monday, February 17, 2020

Bird by Wendt

Wendt's Bird pattern dates back to 1985. It is a multi motif pattern of different birds.

Salad Serving Spoon (11 1/2 inches)

John R Wendt Bird (Sterling, 1865) Salad Serving Spoon Solid Oversize Bright Cut

John R Wendt Bird (Sterling, 1865) Salad Serving Spoon Solid Oversize Bright Cut

Cheese Serving Knife (8 inches

John R Wendt Bird (Sterling, 1865) Cheese Serving Knife Bright Cut

Cracker Spoon (9 1/4 inches)
John R Wendt Bird (Sterling, 1865) Cracker Spoon

Asparagus Tongs (10 inches)
John R Wendt Bird (Sterling, 1865) Bright Cut Solid Yoked Asparagus Tongs

Friday, February 14, 2020

Milan by Gorham

In the theme of St Valentine's Day, Gorham's Milan pattern has a heart on the end of the terminal. George Wilkinson designed the pattern that was in 1885. Wilkerson also designed Rossette and Ivy for Gorham.

This is the terminal. I could not find any examples of pieces in the pattern.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Amaryllis by Shiebler

Shiebler's Amaryllis patern dates back to 1877. It is decribed as a geometric pattern.

Sugar Sheel (6 5/8 inches)

George W Shiebler Amaryllis (Sterling, 1877) Sugar Shell Spoon, Bright Cut

George W Shiebler Amaryllis (Sterling, 1877) Sugar Shell Spoon, Bright Cut

Fork (8 5/8 inches)
George W Shiebler Amaryllis (Sterling, 1877) Large Dinner Fork

Friday, February 7, 2020

Mille Fleurs by International

Introduced in 1904, International's Mille Fleurs pattern is multi motif. Note the unique designs on each piece.

Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

International Silver Mille Fleurs (Sterling, 1904) Orange Spoon

International Silver Mille Fleurs (Sterling, 1904) Orange Spoon

Short Handle Olive Fork (6 inches)
International Silver Mille Fleurs (Sterling, 1904) Pierced Bowl Short Handle Olive Spoon

Old French Hollow Knife (9 inches)

International Silver Mille Fleurs (Sterling, 1904) Old French Hollow Knife

Butter Spreader (5 5/8 inches)

International Silver Mille Fleurs (Sterling, 1904) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Milan by Gorham

George Wilkinson designed Milan for Gorham in 1885.

Tomato Server (8 1/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Milan (Sterling, 1885) Tomato Server, Solid Piece

Berry Spoon (8 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Milan (Sterling, 1885) Bright Cut Solid Large Berry/Casserole Spoon

Monday, February 3, 2020

Memory Lane by Lunt

Lunt introduced their Memory Lane pattern in 1949.

Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Lunt Silver Memory Lane (Sterling, 1949) Fork

Casserole Spoon (8 3/8 inches)

Lunt Silver Memory Lane (Sterling, 1949) Solid Smooth Casserole Spoon

Olive Fork (5 7//8 inches)

Lunt Silver Memory Lane (Sterling, 1949) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork