Egg Spoons

Egg Spoons used to crack and eat a poached egg. The bowl tends to be oblong, egg shaped.

(Shown in Rococo by Dominick and Haff 4 1/4 inches)

(Shown in Marquis by Whiting 4 3/8 inches)

(Shown in Waverly by Wallace)

(Shown in Irian by Wallace 4 1/8 inches)

Pate Knife and Pate Spreader

In the late 19th century grand garden parties were the rage for the well to do, especially on the lawns of the grand homes at Newport. The hostesses of these affairs were always sure to serve cold dishes to their guests. On the menu were cold meats, pate de foie gras, cold fishes (such as salmon), and other delicacies of the times. To serve these delights, there were sterling pieces such as the Pate Knife and Pate Spreader.

The knives actually have a scooped end with a flared blades which makes them quite attractive. Both the spreaders and the knives can be very practical pieces for the modern day hostess, even on the days she is not hosting the grand garden party with foie gras.

(Pate Knife in American Beauty by Manchester 6 inches)

(Pate Knife shown in Mount Vernon by Lunt 6 inches)

(Pate Spreader shown Versailles by Gorham 4 1/2 inches)

(Pate Spreader shown Marquis by Whiting 4 5/8 inches)

La Scala by Gorham

Lifetime Sterling describes this pattern: "For a dramatic statement, this glamorous pattern brings three-dimensional opulence to your table. Introduced in 1964, the finely tooled design incorporates deeply carved borders with lavish scrollwork enhanced by intermittent floral details and a striking rosette crowning the neck. Significant weight and uncompromising craftsmanship lend a luxurious note to traditional and formal settings to wow your guests and provide the ultimate finishing touch to all of your meals."

To me, this is an example of a modern pattern trying to imitate one of the older finely designed intricate patterns and it just doesn't work. To me, it just looks "new". It is still an attractive sterling pattern, but a newer one.

(Gravy Ladle 7 inches)

(Cheese Knife 6 inches)

(Mustard Ladle 5 inches)

(Seafood Fork 5 3/4 inches)

Lemon Server

The Lemon Server is designed to slide under the lemon slices, pick them up, then serve them. These pieces are rare since they were only produced in a few patterns. Sometimes they can be confused with the croquette server but if you compare the two, you will see the croquette server is flat and the lemon server has a raised edge on one side.

(Shown in Georgian by Towle)

(Shown in Grand Barouque by Wallace)

Orange and Grapefruit Spoons

Orange Spoons, Citrus Spoons, and Grapefruit Spoons are basically the same piece just called different names in different patterns. Although, Gorham shows in some of its patterns, both an Orange and a Grapefruit spoon. I could find on Orange spoon in Buttercup and a Grapefruit spoon in Chantilly that both had the same lines, so I suspect one is misnamed. However, some research showed that there may be a piece out there that is the "other" piece that has the decoration continuing from the handle down around the top of the bowl of the spoon. Every source I looked showed them being "out of stock." So, I am thinking, the elusive piece is there, and may very well be in your sliver chest.

Anyway, the spoons were developed to pierce into the pulp of citrus, both oranges and grapefruit. Often the bowl was washed with gold to prevent the acid from the fruit tarnishing the silver.

(Grapefruit Spoon shown in American Beauty by Shiebler 6 inches)

(Grapefruit Spoon shown in Chantilly by Gorham 5 3/4 inches)

(Grapefruit Spoon shown in Alcazar by Durgin 6 1/8 inches)

Margaux by Towle

One silver retailer describer this pattern: Margaux is one of our favorite ornate patterns, with clusters of grapes and leaves, and design spilling into the bowls of the spoons. Margaux is now considered "Made to Order" by the manufacturer, and some items may take 6-12 months for delivery."

When I first saw this pattern it struck me as plain and simple. But the more I looked, the more elegance I saw. As the description above states, the design "spilling into the bowls" is lovely and adds some exquisite detail that is often lacking in patterns today. And, being introduced in 1983, it is not an old pattern.

(Salad Fork 7 inches)

(Place Soup Spoon 7 inches)

(Cold Meat Fork 8 inches)

Jelly Trowel

I have found a few references to Jelly Trowels, but they are few and far between. I have been unsuccessful in finding a reliable source that would explain its use. However, an elderly lady told me that it was used to serve a dessert made of whipped jelly made in copper molds and served chilled. Having no other story to go on, I'll add that two cents worth. They are interesting pieces.

(Jelly Trowel shown in unknown pattern by Dominick and Half)

Richelieu by Tuttle

This pattern was introduced in 1935 by International which was later bought by Tuttle, so your older pieces may have the International silver marks on them, while the newer pieces will say Tuttle. This design represents the abundant style reminiscent of French and Italian furnishings. You can see an acanthus leaf in the heavy detail. These elements were a liberation from the years of the plain art deco patterns of the 1920s. The pattern was discontinued in 1996.



(Flat Handle Butter Spreader 6 inches)


(Casserole Spoon 11 inches)


(Pierced Tablespoon 8 1/2 inches)

Hors d'Oeuvres Pieces

Hors d'Oeuvre pieces are not that common. They are more readily found in Tiffany patterns. Also, there is no standard, you will find forks, knives, and spoons - in various sizes.

(Hors d'Oeuvres Set shown in Francis I by Reed and Barton)

(Hors d'Oeuvres Fork shown in Blossom by Jensen 3 3/4 inches)

(Hors d'Oeuvres Fork shown in Holly by Tiffany 5 1/4 inches)

Cheese Knife

The Cheese Knife is an elegant piece. Sometimes it is referred to as the cheese server. However in some patters the Cheese Server its own piece that resembles a pie server.

(Cheese Knife shown in Madame Royale by Durgin 7 1/8 inches)

(Cheese Knife shown in Cambridge by Gorham 7 3/4 inches)

(Cheese Knife shown in St. Dunstan by Tiffany 7 3/8 inches)