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, January 28, 2011

Ramekin Forks (Part 2)

I wanted to revisit the Ramekin Fork as I did earlier since there are so many beautiful examples.

Hepplewhite Chased by Reed and Barton (4 7/8 inches)

English Gadroon by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Watteau by Durgin (5 1/2 inches)

Buckingham by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)

Viking by Alvin (5 1/2 inches)

Bunker Hill by Watson (4 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Chipped Beef Fork (Revisted)

Here are more examples of the Chipped Beef Fork I posted about earlier. Although it looks like the basic serving fork, usually it is smaller. However, they come in three sizes: large, medium, and small, and if a pattern had the piece, usually there were all three sizes in the pattern.

Chrysanthemum by Durgin (Large 7 1/2 inches)

Basket of Flowers by Dominick and Haff (Small 6 1/4 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham (Medium 6 3/4 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham (Small 5 7/8 inches)

Rose by Wallace ( Medium 6 inches)

Dauphine by Wallace (Small 5 7/8 inches)

Old Orange Blossom by Alvin (Small 5 7/8 inches)

Monday, January 24, 2011

Meadow by Gorham

An older pattern by Gorham, introduced in 1897, described as "Multimotif". Decorated with an ornate pattern of flowers, leaves, and vines on the front and back of the pieces.

Dinner Fork

Sauce Ladle

Fish Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)

Salt Spoon

Lemon Fork (4 1/2 inches)

Master Butter Knife (6 1/2 inches)
Flat Handle Master Butter Knife

Orange Spoon (5 3/4 inches)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Ice Scoops

The Ice Scoop is a piece that is found in many patterns. I touched on this in any earlier post on Ice Pieces. Here are some more examples:

Copenhagen by Manchester (9 3/4 inches)

Anthene/Crescendo by Amston (9 3/4 inches)

Decor by Gorham (9 3/4 inches)

Sixteen Ninety Eng by Towle (9 3/4 inches)

Contessina by Towle (9 3/4 inches)

Monticello by Lunt (9 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Grape Shears and Poultry Shears

I touched on Grape Shears in an earlier post - a truly unique piece. However, there are also, Poultry Shears, which look much more utilitarian.. Here are some examples of each.

Grape Shears in Acorn by Georg Jensen

Grape Shears in Orchid by Watson

Grape Shears in Persian by Tiffany

Tiffany Persian grape shears

Poultry Shears in Chantilly by Gorham

Poultry Shears in Botticelli by Frank Whiting

Monday, January 17, 2011

Empire by Towle

This elegant pattern by Towle dates back to 1894. Empire was designed by George P. Tilton, a well know designer who also designed Georgian. The forks in this pattern are particularly wonderful.

Salad Fork (6 inches)

Gravy Ladle (6 1/2 inches)

Pea Spoon (8 3/4 inches)

Friday, January 14, 2011

The Oyster Server

As I have mentioned before there are supposedly two Oyster Servers the Oyster Server and the Fried Oyster Server. However, I could not find an example a plain "Oyster Server" only the Fried Oyster Servers. So here are examples of this serving piece. The pieces with the sharp pointed teeth are sometimes referred to as "Macaroni/Entree/Fried Oyster Serving Pieces". So, it is a bit confusing. After looking over all the examples (many more than are shown here) I feel the true Oyster Servers are the ones without the tines.

Dresden by Whiting (8 1/2 inches)

St. James by Tiffany (8 1/4 inches)

Heraldic by Whiting (10 inches)

Lancaster by Gorham
Entree/macaroni/oyster Server

Imperial Chrysanthemum by Gorham (8 1/4 inches)
Entree/macaroni/oyster Server

Trajan by Reed and Barton (7 3/8 inches)

Les Cinq Fleurs by Reed and Barton (7 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Saratoga Chip Server - Revisted

In an earlier post I described the Saratoga Chip Server and only gave one example. However since there are examples of this piece in many patterns, here are a few more. You may remember that this utensil was designed to serve the new fad food "Potato Chips". The detail on the scoop and stem of some of these pieces is quite lovely.

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (8 3/4 inches)

Virginiana by Gorham

Ailanthus by Tiffany (9 inches)

Empire by Towle (7 1/2 inches)

Cambridge by Gorham (8 3/5 inches)

Baronial Old by Gorham (8 3/4 inches)

Friday, January 7, 2011

Sardine Fork (Part II)

I'm not sure the Sardine Fork is not one my favorite pieces of silver. I touched on this piece last year in a post but only showed one example. Here are some quaint samples of this peculiar little piece.

Radiant by Whiting (6 inches)