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, October 21, 2011

Cocktail Spoon

I am not quite sure how the Cocktail Spoon is used, but I did two quite distinct designs. The second design I found frequently used in stainless more modern patterns, although Ivy by Gorham dates back to 1865.

Richelieu by Tiffany (6 3/4 inches)
Pierced Cocktail Serving Spoon

Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (7 1/2 inches)

Sculpture by Reed and Barton (5 3/4 inches)

Cocktail Spoon

Ivy by Gorham (5 1/8 inches)
Cocktail Spoon

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Relish Fork

An odd and rare piece, the Relish Fork is a serving piece with three splayed tines. The Chantilly piece was so different, I checked several sources to make sure it was accurate and all the sources I checked were the same. There were references to this piece in many Gorham patterns, but I could not find any examples, other than Chantilly.

Bead by Whiting (6 3/4 inches)

Repousse By Kirk (7 1/2 inches)

Chantilly by Gorham (5 1/4 inches)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Birds Nest by Gorham

A very unique pattern introduced by Gorham in 1865, Birds Nest is more a work of art than an eating utensil.

Ice Serving Spoon Large (9 inches)

Large Cut Pie Knife (10 1/2 inches)

Large Solid Bright Cut Pie Knife

Long Cream Ladle (6 1/2 inches)

Ladle-Cream/devonshire-Long

Pierced Nut Serving Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Preserve Spoon (9 1/8 inches)
Spoon-Preserve

Solid Pudding Serving Spoon (10 3/4)
Solid Serving Pudding Knife

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 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)

Oyster Fork (5 1/2 inches)

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