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, March 23, 2020

H162 by Gorham

H162 is another intricant floral pattern by Gorham.4 3/4 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (4 3/4 inches)
Gorham Silver H162 (Sterling) Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl

Gorham Silver H162 (Sterling) Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl

Monday, March 16, 2020

BMS 34 By Baker Manchester

Baker Manchester's BMS34 pattern dates back to 1918.

Cucumber Server (7 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS34 (Sterling) Large Cucumber Server

Long Handled Olive Spoon (8 1/2 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS34 (Sterling) Pierced Bowl Long Handle Olive Spoon

Bon Bon Spoon (5 3/8 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS34 (Sterling) Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Seafood Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS34 (Sterling) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Friday, March 13, 2020

BMS 25 by Baker Manchester

Baker Manchester's BMS25 pattern dates back to 1915.

Youth Fork (6 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS25 (Sterling) Youth Fork

Sugar Sifter (5 1/4 inches)
Baker Manchester BMS25 (Sterling) Small Sugar Sifter

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

BMS 30 by Baker Manchester

Baker Manchster's BMS 30 pattern dates back to 1905.

Oyster Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS30 (STERLING) Oyster Fork

Nut Serving Spoon (5 1/2 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS30 (STERLING) Solid Nut Serving Spoon

Large Sugar Tongs (5 1/2 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS30 (STERLING) Large Sugar Tongs

Monday, March 9, 2020

BMS 11 by Baker Manchester

Baker Manchester's BMS11 dates back to 1915.

Butter Spreader (5 5/8 inches)
Baker Manchester BMS11 (Sterling) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Salad Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS11 (Sterling) Individual Salad Fork

Orange Spoon (5 inches)

Baker Manchester BMS11 (Sterling) Fruit/Orange Spoon

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

H824 by Gorham

H824 is a different Gorham pattern with the a cross design on the handle.

Lemon Fork (4 5/8 inches)
Gorham Silver H824 (STERLING) Lemon Fork

Monday, March 2, 2020

H44, H45, and H227 by Gorham

Continuing with Gorham's "H" patterns, here are Bon Bon Spoons in several patterns..

H44 Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver H44 (Sterling) Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Gorham Silver H44 (Sterling) Bon Bon Spoon Solid

H45 Bon Bon Spoon

Gorham Silver H45 (Sterling) Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl

H227 Bon Bon Gorham Silver H227 (Sterling) Bon Bon Spoon Solid

Friday, February 28, 2020

H28 by Gorham

Gorham has a pattern that dates back to 1864 called "Bacchus". The face on the tip of the terminal is Bacchuss, the Roman god of the grape harvest. Then there are the grapes on the stem that continue the theme. Their H28 pattern (shown below) looks very similar to the Bacchus pattern

Punch Ladle (14 1/2 inches)

Gorham Silver H28 (Sterling) Punch Ladle, Solid Piece

Gorham Silver H28 (Sterling) Punch Ladle, Solid Piece

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