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, May 18, 2012

Lobster Pick Part 2

 Another sample of Lobster Picks, a simple tool with the elegance of each pattern.



St. Dunstan by Tiffany  (5 3/4 inches)




Acorn  by Georg Jensen (7 3/8 inches)
 

Renaissance by Tiffany (6 1/8 inches)







St. James by Tiffany (5 3/4 inches)


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Oyster Forks (Part 4)

As I have said before in my many posts on Oyster Forks, although they are small, to me these are beautiful delicate pieces in any pattern. And, personally as a lover of oysters, a most useful piece. And, unlike many "fork" place pieces in patterns, these tend to be a little "unique in each pattern. I have a friend who only collects sterling silver oyster forks.

Old Maryland by Stieff (5 3/4 inches)


Etruscan by Gorham (5 3/8 inches)





Old Colonial by Towle (6 1/4 inches)



Marlborough by Reed and Barton (5 1/2 inches)



Old Newbury  by Towle (5 3/4 inches)





Monday, May 14, 2012

Raphael by Gorham

This very old pattern, Raphael,  was introduced by Gorham in 1875. It is a "flat" but intricate design, with a large heart on the terminal suitable for engraving.

Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)










Ice Cream Spade (8 1/2 inches)












Oyster Fork (6 1/4 inches)








Fish Fork (7 inches)








Ice Tong


Friday, May 11, 2012

Tea Caddy Spoon Part 2

I have posted twice on the Tea Caddy spoon. Once with a definition and once with examples. It is a small but lovely and functional spoon used for serving tea.

Louis XV by Durgin (4 3/4 inches)




Vine-Grapevine by Tiffany (4 3/4 inches)



Wave Edge by Tiffany (4 7/8 inches)




Hizen by Gorham (3 5/8 inches0




Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Berry Serving Spoon (Part 3)

This is my third post on this beautiful serving piece, the Berry Spoon. But can you really see too many examples of this utensil. As I have said before, this is one of the pieces in a pattern the artisans use to really showcase the design of the pattern. Looking at this piece, you can get a better idea of the lines or definitions of the pattern.


La Marquise by Reed and Barton (8 7/8 inches)
Small Solid Berry/casserole Spoon

Princess by Shiebler (9 1/4 inches)










Princess Fushia by Frigast (8 1/4 inches)









Altair by Watson ( 9 inches)











Albany by Towle (9 inches0









Regent by Durgin (9 5/8 inches)








Monday, May 7, 2012

Miscellaneous Floral Pattern by Baker Manchester

Companies would release miscellaneous patterns, usually without a name just a number that were just one piece designed in a series. This is one such pattern by Baker Manchester of lovely Five O'Clock Spoons that is a series of floral designs. Each spoon is different. I can see this being handy when ladies were having coffee in that all the spoons were the same piece and pattern, but just a little different in design, as not to be confused. 




BMS41 


















Plant Series - Non Floral


















Goldenrod
















Carnation














Chrysanthemum 














Poppy

Friday, May 4, 2012

Pie Knife

The Pie Knife is an odd piece. It is different from the Pie Server, but not shaped like a traditional knife.

Strasbourg by Gorham (9 1/4 inches)












Versailles by Gorham (9 1/4 inches)















Frontenac by International (9 inches)














Lily of the Valley by Whiting (9 1/8 inches)


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Five O'Clock Spoons

The Five O'Clock Spoon is longer than the Four O'Clock Spoon at 4 3/4 to 5 3/8, but shorter in length at 5 to 5 5/8 inches than the regular teaspoon, usually 5 7/8 to slightly over 6 inches. Although, this spoon can also to be used when coffee is served in the late afternoon, it has an identity crisis. You will see Five O'Clock spoons referred to as "Youth Five O'Clock spoons" which I think indicates their shorter size fitting into a youth's place setting. Also, they are called "Five O'Clock Souvenir spoons". The souvenir spoons usually have some type of design engraved on them - a city, world's fair, a state, etc. These are examples of true Five O'Clock Spoons.


Mythologique by Gorham (5 inches)










Montclair by Gorham (5 1/2 inches)









Misc Floral Pattern (Golden Rod) by Baker Manchester (5 inches)









ALS5 Lily by Alvin (5 5/8 inches) 












Love Disarmed by Reed & Barton  (5 5/8 inches)

Monday, April 30, 2012

Berain by Wallace

Berain was introduced by Wallace in 1907. The pattern is an elaborate design that looks like it is etched in the silver. The decoration continues onto the bowls of the spoons and the shoulders of the forks. It is truly exquisite.







Five O'clock Teaspoon (5 1/2 inches)









Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)











Small Fish Fork (6 1/4 inches)
















Gravy Ladle (7 1/2 inches)



Friday, April 27, 2012

Four O'Clock Spoon


The Four O'Clock Spoon runs in length from 4 3/4 to 5 3/8. It is shorter in length than the Five O'Clock spoon at 5 to 5 5/8 inches and much shorter than the place teaspoon, usually 5 7/8 to slightly over 6 inches. It is longer than the Demitasse spoon which is usually 3 3/4 inches to 4 1/2 inches. You may be able to tell a Demitasse from a Five O'Clock spoon, but without seeing all four laid out together, it could be confusing. I imagine many people are using Four O'clock spoons thinking they are place teaspoons. Oh, and to confuse matters there is the Desert spoon, but since it ranges from 6 7/8 to 8 inches, chances are it will not get confused in the mix.

This spoon is designed to be used when coffee (or tea) is served in the late afternoon. You will find them in many of the older patterns.  

Maryland by Gorham ( 4 7/8 inches)








Rosette by Gorham (5 inches)









Saint James by Tiffany (4 5/8 inches)








Charles II by Dominick and Haff (5 1/4 inches)









Lotus by Gorham (4 3/4 inches)