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?
At first sight the Infant Feeding Spoon may look like the Iced Tea Spoon, but at a little over 5 inches long it is 2 inches shorter than the Iced Tea Spoon. It has a long thin stem with a smaller bowl to fit in smaller mouths. This piece is found in most patterns.
Towle introduced King Richard in 1932. It was designed by Ferdinand Poppenhauser. It is a pretty pattern with a heavy design, but not one that stands out among the hundreds of truly unique patterns of its day. Sugar Spoon (5 7/8 inches)
I posted earlier on Grapefruit Spoons. However, unlike the examples you may have seen earlier, these have a flat end to their bowl. Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (5 3/4 inches)
Quite the interesting pattern, Paris was introduced by Gorham in 1890. Two cupid like child figures grace either side of the top of the terminal with another in the upper part of the stem.
Stratford by Internationl was designed by John T. Clulee and introduced in 1902, making it 110 years old. The Terminal is a more traditional design with a rose at the top and motifs of leaves coming down the sides. However, the bowls and tines of the serving pieces are quite ornate and elegant with free flowing designs. International also makes a stainless pattern called "Stratford" but the designs are not common. Small Sugar Sifter (5 1/4 inches)
Princess by Towle was introduced in 1892 by George P. Tilton, making it 120 years old. It is patterns as ornate and lovely as this one that one make me adore sterling silver flatware. How can one not fall in love with the lines and craftsmanship of such a piece of art.
New Queens is another pattern designed by William C. Codman. Gorham introduced it in 1899.A lovely pattern with a scallop shell on the terminaland classic decorations.
A multi-motif pattern introduced by Alvin in 1900. A truly majestic pattern for lack of a better word. With the detailed design on the front and the back on the pieces. Asparagus Server (9 1/4 inches)