Pastry Forks

Pastry Forks, sometimes called Pie Forks, are often ornately decorated. Here are some delightful examples.

Beekman by Tiffany (6 1/8 inches)

Broom Corn by Tiffany (6 inches)

Cherry Blossom by Blackinton (5 5/8 inches)

Duke of York by Whiting (6 inches)

Pattern unknown by Frank Smith (5 3/4 inches)

Grecian by Gorham (6 inches)

Number 1 by Whiting (6 7/8 inches)

Patrician by Seymour (5 1/2 inches)

Saint James by Tiffany (6 1/2 inches)

Berry/Casserole Spoons by Durgin

Durgin produced some beautiful sterling pieces and I kept coming across lovely Berry/Casserole Spoons, so I thought I would share a few from some Durgin patterns.

Bouquet (1875) (9 3/8 inches)

Bug (1885) (9 1/8 inches)

Chrysanthemum (1893) (Designed by George A. Muller) (9 3/8 inches)

Iris (1900) (9 3/8 inches)

Scroll (1886) (8 5/8 inches)

Strawberry (1874) (9 1/8 inches)

Cat Tails by Durgin

And then there are those patterns that you stumble upon that are so stunning and artistic, that you have to stop and admire them. This is one of those.

The detail in Durgin's Cat Tails is unlike any pattern I have yet seen. The handle replicates a cat tail fresh from the bull rushes, while the tines of the forks and the prongs of the tongs are delicate woven works of arts. The bowls of the spoons and the ladles are distinctive lily pads. The pattern was introduced in 1898 by Durgin and designed by William E. Carlson. Some of the pieces can be found in gold wash.

Chocolate Spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Sauce Ladle (5 1/2 inches)

Strawberry Fork (4 7/8 inches)

Sugar Tongs ( 4 1/2 inches)

Oyster Forks

Individual Oyster Forks are a beautiful place piece in any pattern. Here are a few particularly lovely examples.

Shown Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (6 inches)

Shown in Olympian by Tiffany (4 7/8 inches)

Shown in Vine-Squash by Tiffany (6 inches)

Shown in Winthrop by Tiffany (6 1/8 inches)

Shown in Cat Tails by Durgin (5 5/8 inches)

Shown in Chrysanthemum by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)

Shown in Iris by Durgin (7 5/8 inches)

Shown in Madame Royale by Durgin (5 5/8 inches)

Terrapin Fork (Part 2)

Earlier this year, I showed 2 examples of Terrapin Forks. I have found several more fine examples of this truly unique place piece. In a way, it resembles the "spork" design of an ice cream fork. However, usually the designs have more details.

Shown in Iris by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)

Shown in Lily by Gorham ( 5 3/4 inches)

Shown in Avalon by International (5 3/8 inches)

Shown in Orange Blossom by Durgin (5 1/4 inches)

Shown in Marquise by Tiffany (5 5/8 inches)

Rouen by Gorham

All I could learn about this pattern was that it was "scarce". It was discontinued in 1892 but I could not find out when it was introduced. Although, the photographs are poor and I have never seen a real piece, the pattern itself is attractive and leaves a nice space on the handle for engraving. I particularly like the treatment on the stem of each piece.

Fork 6 7/8 inches

Tablespoon 8 1/4 inches

Oyster Fork 5 3/4 inches

Master Butter Knife 7 1/2 inches

Chow Chow Forks

Just like their companion, the Chow Chow Spoon (See May 28) , the Chow Chow Fork is designed to serve the relish. The forks are about the same size as the spoons and have 2 tines (at least the examples here do.) I could find references to this piece in a couple hundred patterns, but only 2 pictures.

Shown in Georgian by Towle (6 1/8 inches)

Shown in Old English by Towle (6 3/8 inches)

Canape Fork

I could only find a picture of a Canape Fork in Buttercup (as shown) but I could fund references to Canape forks in many patterns (but no pictures). Then upon further research, I learned that in most patterns, the Canape Fork and the Cherry Fork are the same piece, long slender forks with 2 or 3 long tines. I guess it just depends on whether you are serving fruit or small cakes.

Shown in Buttercup by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)

A Rose by Any Other Name (Part I)

Rose is an especially popular name in sterling patterns over the years. Here are a few lovely examples I found.

Rose by Knowles 1881

Rose by Rogers/International 1903

Rose by Wallace 1898 (Designed by Henry L. Wallace)

Rose by Mount Vernon 1910

Rosecrest by Alvin 1955

Royal Rose by Century 1938

Southern Rose by Manchester 1933

Talisman Rose by Frank Whiting 1948 (Designed by Charles F. Simms)

Cranberry Server

A serving piece with flat oval piece used with cranberry jelly that was made in molds (much like the canned kind we find now), the Cranberry Server allowed one to slice the cranberry mold and then serve the pieces.

Shown in Old Master by Towle

Shown in Old Colonial by Towle

Shown in Wild Rose -New by International

Shown in Rambler Rose by Towle