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, October 8, 2021

Pastry Tongs

A piece that is hard to find and often misidentified, this the Pastry Tongs.

WGO6 by William Gale & Son (10 1/2 inches)

Rose by WMF (6 1/2 inches)

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Rose by MWF

MWF's Rose pattern is very elaborate.

Sugar Tongs (2 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (6 inches)

Monday, October 4, 2021

Small Berry Spoon (Part 3)

Another post on the Small Berry Spoon (sometimes referred to the Casserole Spoon).

Chantilly by Gorham (7 7/8 inches)

Buttercup by Gorham (7 3/4 inches)

Versailles by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)

English King by Tiffany (8 7/8 inches)

Friday, August 13, 2021

Theseum By International

Theseum by International dates back to 1922.

Gumbo Soup Spoon (7 1/8 inches)

Bon Bon Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Short Handled Pickle Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Cheese Server (6 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Du Maurier By Oneida

1967
Tradition division of Oneida. Designer Frank R. Perry

Salad Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Pie Server (10 3/8 inches)

Dinner Knife (HH) (9 1/4 inches)

Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 1/2 inches)

Monday, August 9, 2021

Gossamer by Gorham

Gorham's Gossamer pattern was introduced in 1965. It was designed by J. Russell Price. Price designed for several companies. His work includes Rosemary by Easterling (1944) as well as Epic for Gorham (1941), King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938). This pattern is also offered in a Gold Vermeil version.

Sugar Spoon (6 inches)

Salad Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Tomato Server (8 3/8 inches)

Friday, August 6, 2021

H-402 by Gorham

Another of the numbered patterns by Gorham is H402 that dates back to 1900.

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Virginian by Onieda

Onieda's Virginian pattern dates back to 1942. An interesting fact - the same design was introduced in 1934 by Onieda in silver plate called "Chateau".

Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Iced Teaspoon (7 1/2 inches)

Small Steak Carving Knife (8 3/4 inches)

Monday, August 2, 2021

Lobster Forks Part 4

I posted on Lobster Forks several years ago. It is a fairly rare piece. Here are 2 more examples.

Georgian By Towle (6 inches)

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Imperial Court by Faberge (7 5/8 inches)

Friday, July 30, 2021

First Frost by Oneida

In 1965, Frank R. Perry designed First Frost for Oneida. Several Oneida's other patterns were designed by Perry, including Michelangelo (1970) Flower Lane (1957), First Frost (1965), Belle Rose (1963), Botticelli (1949), Belle Rose (1963) and Du Maurier (1967).

Dinner Knife (9 1/8 inches)

Cocktail Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Short Handled Olive Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Pie Server (10 5/8 inches)