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?
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)
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.
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.
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 Colonial by Towle (6 3/8 inches)
More Mustard Spoons to follow up on an earlier post. Small but elegant pieces. Virginiana by Gorham (4 1/2 inches) Stratford by International (4 5/8 inches) Lancaster by Gorham (4 1/2 inches) Warwick by International (4 5/8 inches) Raleigh by Alvin (5 inches) Pomona by Towle (5 1/4 inches) Louvre by Wallace Orchids by Towle (5 3/8 inches) Florence by International (4 5/8 inches)