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, 2010

One Tine Butter Picks

An odd piece, but one with a mission, the Butter Pick was designed to pick up a cold pat of butter from a plate. The twist on the end gives it a truly unique look. Most are flat handled and usually can be found in most patterns.


Anthene/ Crescendo by Amstom (6 1/8 inches)





Botticelli by Whiting (6 3/8 inches)





Les Six Fleurs by Reed and Barton (6 1/4 inches)





Lily by Whiting (6 inches)





Louvre by Wallace (6 inches)





Strasbourg by Gorham




Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Sugar Tong

For serving formal tea or coffee, sugar cubes are served with Sugar Tong. And, no, I cannot tell you why they are a "Tong" and not "Tongs". They are vary in length from 3 1/4 inches to 5 inches. Although the handles are beautiful and reflect the notes of the pattern, to me the true beauty of these pieces are in the unique features in the pinchers.

Chrysanthemum by Durgin
Large Sugar Tongs

Baltimore Rose by Schofield

Small Sugar Tongs

Bridal Rose by Alvin (4 1/2 inches)

Large Sugar Tongs

Morning Glory by Alvin

Small Sugar Tongs

Anthene by Frank Whiting (3 1/2 inches)




Louvre by Wallace (3 1/4 inches)



Old Orange Blossom by Alvin (4 7/8 inches)


Monday, October 4, 2010

Daisy by Paye and Baker

Daisy by Paye and Baker is an exquisite pattern which was introduced in 1908. 

Pastry Fork (5 5/8 inches)


Pastry Fork

Five O'Clock Spoon (5 inches)


Five O’clock Spoon


Large Lettuce Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)


Large Lettuce Serving Fork


Long Handle Olive Spoon  (7 1/8 inches)


Pierced Bowl Long Handle Olive Spoon


Sugar Spoon


Sugar Spoon



Friday, October 1, 2010

Corn Forks



Although Corn Forks are listed in some patterns, they are not popular pieces. They also are on the list of pieces easily "remade" or fashioned from another place piece. And, although these pieces are still sterling and the handle is still the original pattern, the piece is not genuine. So beware of Corn Forks baring lumps! I have had requests for information on the Corn Kernel Splitters, and while I can find references to them, I can find no pictures.

Corn Fork (Chippendale by Towle)
Corn Fork Hc


Corn Fork (Chantilly by Gorham)


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Sugar Shells

Among the basic serving pieces in a standard pattern there is a sugar spoon and the fancier Sugar Shell which gets its name (obviously) from the shape of the bowl. As with most sterling designs, the more distinctive and ornate the pattern, the more ornate the sugar shell. Here are some examples.


 Indian by Whiting







Lily of the Valley by Whiting


Sugar Shell Spoon, Bright Cut


Alhambra by Whiting


Sugar Shell Spoon


Fiorito by Shiebler


Sugar Shell Spoon


Medallion-E by Shiebler


Sugar Shell Spoon in the Medallion-E (sterling,1890) pattern by George W Shiebler


Orange Blossom Old by Alvin


Sugar Shell Spoon




Lily by Whiting 
Sugar Shell Spoon



Monday, September 27, 2010

Pompadour by Whiting

I have seen references to this pattern being introduced in 1895 and 1989. Either year, Pompadour, is a lovely pattern with an ornate design. I personally own a piece of this and feel that photographs do not do it justice.

.

Place Soup Spoon



Cold Meat Fork (7 1/2 inches)



Demitasse Spoon (3 7/8 inches)


Demitasse Spoon


Small Berry/Casserole Spoon (8 7/8 inches)


Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon


Small Solid Fish Serving Knife (01 1/4 inches)
Small Solid Fish Serving Knife






Long Handle Olive Fork (8 7/8 inches)


Olive Fork Long Handle


Solid Waffle Server (8 1/8 inches)


Solid Waffle Server







Friday, September 24, 2010

Buffet Fork

The Buffet Fork is serving piece designed (obviously) for the buffet.Very similar to the Cold Meat fork but just a bit larger. For example in the Durgin Chrysanthemum pattern the Cold Meat fork is 9 1/4 inches, while the Buffet fork is 9 3/8. The Repousse Cold Meat fork is both smaller and more "scooped" in design that the Buffet fork, so they are separate pieces.


Chrysanthemum by Durgin 9 3/8 inches

Buffet Fork

Athene/Crescendo by Frank Whiting (9 1/8  inches)





Provence by Lunt (8 1/18 inches)





Repousse by Kirk (10 1/4 inches)






Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Crumb Knife (Part 2)

More lovely Crumb Knives or Crumbers. The retail values of some of these pieces can be as much as $3,000. Because the pieces are so large, the designers had room for engraving and special work to further the pattern detail, more so than they could on place pieces. For the true artisan, the crumb knife could be their large canvas.

Italian by Tiffany (12 3/8 inches)



Lady Washington by Gorham (13 inches)




Lily by Gorham (10 3/4 inches)




Luxembourg by Gorham (11 3/4 inches)



Medallion by Gorham (13 inches)



Monroe by Wendt (13 inches)



Saint Cloud by Gorham (12 1/2 inches)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Daphne by Paye and Baker

An Art Nouveau pattern, Daphne, was introduced by Paye and Baker in 1900. The design is of a woman's face with flowing hair and floral decorations. It is fairly hard to find, as most Pay and Baker pieces are - a beautiful pattern.

Daphne

(Cocktail Fork 6 inches)

Cocktail Fork



(Fruit Orange Spoon 5 3/4 inches)

Fruit/orange Spoon

(Old Style Pickle Fork  5 1/2 inches)

Old Style Pickle Fork