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 14, 2011

Old Style Salad Fork

I honestly cannot tell any difference, short of the name, between the Old Style Salad Fork and the regular Salad Fork. Some of the old style have three tines, some have four. The length is comparable. They are not found in many patterns. Old Newbury by Towle actually has two sizes of the Old Style Salad fork (go figure). Whatever the case, here are some examples.

Old Colonial by Towle (6 3/8 inches)
Old Style Salad Fork






Old English by Towle ( 6 1/8)
Old Style Salad Fork


Old Newbury by Towle  (7 inches) and small size (6 1/4 inches)
Old Style Salad Fork

San Lorenzo by Tiffany (6 7/8 inches)
Salad Fork 3 Tine Old Style

Versailles by Gorham (6 3/4 inches)
Old Style Salad Fork


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Pea Server (Part 3)

Although I have posted two other times on this piece, the Pea Server is unique in that the design of the bowl itself is a little different in each pattern, making it a very interesting piece. Also, it is found in most sterling patterns.


Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (8 inches)
Small Pea Serving Spoon, Pierced


Repousse by Kirk Steiff (9 1/8 inches)
Large Pea Serving Spoon, Pierced


Morning Glory by Alvin (9 inches)




Birds Nest by Gorham


Chrysanthemum by Tiffany



Dirkson-Filegree by Dirkson (7 1/4 inches)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Blossom by Dominick and Haff

Blossom was introduced by Dominick and Haff in 1905. A beautiful ornate pattern with a flower motif on the terminal, flowers and leaves on the stem, and various floral decorations on the shoulders on the different pieces. Some of the serving pieces are particularly lovely. The lettuce fork is one of my favorites.



Dinner Fork ( 7/12 inches)



Salad Fork (5 /34 inches)



Gravy Ladle (6 inhces)



Cold Meat Fork (7 1/4 inches)



Asparagus Fork (9 inches)



Lettuce Fork (8 1/2 inches)
Lettuce Fork


Oyster Fork (5 1/2 inches)
Oyster Fork

Friday, October 7, 2011

Jelly Trowel Revisted (Part 2)

I first mentioned this piece in an earlier post. (Another "jelly" utensil)

Apollo by Knowles and Mount Vernon (7 3/8 inches)



Baltimore Rose by Schofield (6 7/8 inches)



Nuremburg by Alvin (7 1/4 inches)



Old Colonial by Towle (7 1/2 inches)



Trianon Pierced by Dominck and Haff 8( inches)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Old Style Salad Fork


The Old Style Salad Fork differs from the regular salad fork in that the shoulders are wider and the styles are a little more decorative. This piece is not found in every pattern.

Old Newbury by Towle (7 inches)
Old Style Salad Fork
Old Colonial by Towle (6 3/8 inches)
Old Style Salad Fork

Versailles by Gorham (6 1/4 inches)
Old Style Salad Fork


Monday, October 3, 2011

Regent by Durgin

Regent, an extremely elegant pattern issued by Durgin  in 1901.








Asparagus Server (10 inches)






Friday, September 30, 2011

Small Ice Cream Spoon (Part 2)

More examples of the Small Ice Cream Spoon that I posted on earlier.

Orange Blossom by Alvin (5 1/4 inches)
Small Ice Cream Spoon




Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (5 1/2 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Wave Edge by Tiffany (6 1/8 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon Fluted Bowl

Imperial Queen by Whiting (5 1/4 inches)
Ice Cream Spoon

Luxembourg by Gorham (5 3/4 inches)

Ice Cream Spoon


Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Mustard Spoon (Part 2)


More Mustard Spoons to follow up on an earlier post. Small but elegant pieces.

Virginiana by Gorham (4 1/2 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Stratford by International (4 5/8 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Lancaster by Gorham (4 1/2 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Warwick by International (4  5/8 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Raleigh by Alvin (5 inches)

Mustard Spoon

Pomona by Towle (5 1/4 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Louvre by Wallace
Mustard Spoon

Orchids by Towle (5 3/8 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Florence by International (4 5/8 inches)
Mustard Spoon

Monday, September 26, 2011

Fleury by Gorham

Fleury by Gorham was designed by William C. Codman and issued in 1909. 


Demitasse Spoon (4 1/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Demitasse Spoon

Small Berry Spoon (7 3/4 inches)

 Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Small Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon


Cream Ladle (5 3/4 inches)

 Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Solid Piece Cream Ladle




Small Sugar Tongs  (4 1/8  inches)
Gorham Silver Fleury (Sterling, 1909, No Monograms) Small Sugar Tongs

Friday, September 23, 2011

Pickle Forks (Three Tine)

I posted on Two Tine Pickle Forks earlier. Here is its cousin, the Three Tine Pickle Fork.

Rustic by Towle  (6 inches)

Old Style Pickle Fork

Chippendale Old by Alvin (6 inches)
Pickle Fork


Bridal Bouquet by Alvin
Pickle Fork Pierced With Short Han-Hc



Della Robbia by Alvin (5 5/8 inches)
Old Style Pickle Fork



Lily of the Valley by Whiting (6 3/8 inches)
Old Style Pickle Fork