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, July 6, 2020

Modern American by Lunt

Lunt's Modern American pattern dates back to 1928. It is Art Deco in design and was created by Eric Magnussen.

Dinner Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Modern American (Sterling, 1928) Fork 


Friday, July 3, 2020

American Colonial by Amston

Amston introduced their American  Colonial pattern in 1949. 

Baby Fork (4 3/8 inches)

Amston American Colonial (Sterling, 1949) Baby Fork

Dinner Knife (HH) (9 inches)

Amston American Colonial (Sterling, 1949) New French Hollow Knife

Small Steak Carving Fork (9 inches)

Amston American Colonial (Sterling, 1949) Small Steak Carving Fork with Stainless Prongs

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Tulipan by Frank Smith

Frank Smith's Tulipan pattern dates back to 1933.

Cream Soup (6 inches)

Frank Smith Tulipan (Sterling, 1933) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup)

Short Handle Pickle Fork (6 inches)

Frank Smith Tulipan (Sterling, 1933) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork

Pastry Server (9 3/4 inches)

Frank Smith Tulipan (Sterling, 1933) Pastry Server with Stainless Blade

Monday, June 29, 2020

Golden Age by Frank Smith

A unique pattern, Golden Age by Frank Smith dates back to 1947.


Dinner Knife (8 1/2 inches)
Frank Smith Golden Age (Sterling, 1947) Modern Hollow Knife


Teaspoon (6 1/4 inches)

Frank Smith Golden Age (Sterling, 1947) Teaspoon

Friday, June 26, 2020

Georgian Garland by Frank Smith

Formerly known as Isleworth, Frank Smith introduced Georgian Garland in 1914,

Bon Bon Spoon (4 5/8 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl


Pie Server (10 3/4 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Pie Server with Silverplate Blade

Dinner Fork (7 3/8 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Fork

Sugar Tongs (4 3/8 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Small Sugar Tongs


Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Cellini by Frank Smith

In 1890, Frank Smith introduced their Cellini pattern. This is one of those patterns that is greatly enhanced with a monogram. Note the difference between these 2 pieces which is remarkable with the only difference in the designs is that one is engraved.

Demitasse Spoon (4 inches

Frank Smith Cellini (Sterling, 1890) Demitasse Spoon

Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Frank Smith Cellini (Sterling, 1890) Fork

Monday, June 22, 2020

Adrienne by Frank Smith

Frank Smith introduced their Adrienne pattern in 1919. It is a fairly simple desig.

Pastry Fork (6 1/8 inches)
Frank Smith Adrienne (Sterling, 1919) Pastry Fork

Pie Server (10 inches)

Frank Smith Adrienne (Sterling, 1919) Pie Server with Stainless Blade

Friday, June 19, 2020

Crest of Arden by Tuttle

Even though Tuttle introduced their Crest of Arden pattern in 1954, it has an Art Deco design.

Salad Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Solid Salad Serving Fork

Oval Soup Spoon (7 3/8 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Dessert/Oval Soup Spoon

Dinner Fork (7 3/8 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Fork

Jelly Server (6 3/4 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Large Solid Jelly Server

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Narcissus by Unger

Unger's Narcissus pattern is an older one, introduced in 1890.

One Tine Butter Pick (6 3/4 inches)
Unger Brothers Narcissus (Sterling, 1890, Monograms) One Tine Butter Pick

Table Serving Spoon (8 inches)

Unger Brothers Narcissus (Sterling, 1890, Monograms) Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Dinner Knife (9 3/4 inches)
Unger Brothers Narcissus (Sterling, 1890, Monograms) Old French Hollow Knife with Bolster

Monday, June 15, 2020

Cupids Sunbeams by Unger

Another pattern Unger introduced in 1904. Cupid's Sunbeams with the countenances of 2 cupids wrapped in sunbeams on the terminal.

Luncheon Fork (6 3/4 inches)
Unger Brothers Cupid Sunbeams (Sterling,1904) Fork

Food Pusher (4 1/4 inches)

Unger Brothers Cupid Sunbeams (Sterling,1904) Food Pusher Solid