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, December 18, 2020

Buccellati Sterling Christmas Ornaments (Part 2 )

Buccellati's Christmas ornaments are mixed metal, as in they are both gold and silver.

Wreath (1991)

Cherub (1992)

Fireplace (1994)

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Wallace Grand Baroque Heart Ornament (Part 2)

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.

This year's (2020) Grand Baroque

2018 Bells

2014 Stockings

Monday, December 14, 2020

Towle Christmas Cross Ornaments

Like Reed and Barton and Gorham, Towle introduces an annual Cross.

This Year's Cross (2020)

1996

1994

Colonial Antique by Dominick and Haff

Domonick and Haff's Colonial Antique was introduced in 1923. Note the unique cut outs at the tip of the Ice Cream Fork and Bon Bon Spoon.

Ice Cream Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Dinner Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (5 1/4 inches)

Friday, December 11, 2020

Flowers of Christmas by Towle (Part 4)

Towle produced their collection of "Flowers of Christmas" for several years. The last one was introduced in 1992. I also posted about these earlier.

Star of Bethlehem (1992)

Christmas Ivy (1989)

Chrysanthemum (1991)

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Gorham Snowflake Ornaments (Part 3)

For years, Gorham has produced a Snowflake Ornament. I have posted on them before. Here are a few more examples from Christmases past. These pieces have held their value. They range from the $69 to the $190's. Unlike some other sterling ornament series, most of them have the date in the center.

This year's (2020) Gorham Snowflake Ornament

The 1981 Gorham Snowflake Ornaments

The 1985 Gorham Snow Flake Ornament.

Monday, December 7, 2020

Gorham Christmas Tree Ornaments (part 2)

As I posted earlier, Gorham produces a different sterling Christmas Tree ornament each year. This series is relatively new, having just started in 2017.

This year's Tree Ornament (2020)

2018

Friday, December 4, 2020

Reed and Baron Christmas Cross (Part 3)

Reed and Barton introduces a Cross Ornament each year. Here are a few examples of this year's and some from the past. I posted on these last year.

2020 (This year's ornament)

1985

1975

2012

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Gorham Christmas Ornaments Part 3

It's December and that is time to turn our attention to Christmas Pieces. These particular Gorham ornaments are "unlimited" as in they are not dated for a limited supply. I posted on this collection earlier.

Angel with Trumpet