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, August 14, 2015

Sorbet Spoons - Part 2

The Sorbet Spoon, I have posted on earlier, is not necessarily an easy piece to identify. they are often confused with the Sherbert Spoon or the Chocolate spoon. As you can see here they can have a Smooth Bowl or a Ruffled Bowl. And these examples alone vary in size from 5 1/4 to 5 7/8 inches/

Colonial by Tiffany (Ruffled Bowl) (5 3/8 inches)






Colonial by Tiffany (Smooth Bowl) (5 1/4 inches)



Richelieu by Tiffany (Ruffled Bowl) (5 3/8 inches)



Saxon by Birks (5 7/8 inches)

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Avila by Alvin

A modern pattern introduced in 1969 by Alvin, Avila is a simple design with a simple decorated edge.


Teaspoon (6 inches)



Pie Server (10 inches)



Oval Soup Spoon (6 7/8 inches)



Solid Jelly Server (6 1/2 inches)

Monday, August 10, 2015

Les Six Fleurs by Reed and Barton

I posted earlier on Les Cinq Fleurs also by Reed and Barton (1900), but this pattern Les Six Fleurs also by Reed and Barton (1901) is different and more ornate.



Salad Serving Fork (9 7/8 inches)



Sugar Spoon (5 7/8 inches)



Flat Handle Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Friday, August 7, 2015

Salem by Tiffany

Tiffany's Salem pattern introduced in 1956 is most likely the plainness flatware pattern I have seen.

Luncheon Fork (6 7/8 inches)



Sugar Tongs (4 inches)



Pierced Tablespoon (8 1/2 inches)




Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Pierced Waffle Server Part 3

Just a few more examples of the Pierced Waffle Server I have posted on earlier.


Windham by Tiffany  (9 1/8 inches)




Lancaster by Gorham (8 1/8 inches)



Renaissance by Tiffany (9 inches)




Shell and Thread by Tiffany (9 inches)




Monday, August 3, 2015

Copenhagen by Machester

Fork (7 1/8 inches)



Manchester introduced their Copenhagen pattern in 1936.

Sardine Fork (5 3/8 inches)



Casserole Spoon (8 1/2 inches)



Ice Cream Fork (5 3/4 inches)




Friday, July 31, 2015

Lady Clare by Baker Manchester

Baker Manchester introduced this lovely pattern, Lady Clare, in 1914. The design in one of vines and leaves.


Small Chipped Beef Fork (5 1/8 inches)




One Tine Butter Pick (6 inches)



Sugar Shell (5 1/4 inches)



Large Jelly Spoon (7b 1/8 inches)

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Egg Spoon (Part 3)

I have posted on this unique piece several times before. This is one of those pieces I doubt many folks use any more although I think they are lovely pieces.

John Hancock by Lunt (5 inches)


Baronial by Gorham (4 5/8 inches)


Old Colonial by Towle (5 1/8 inches)









Faneuil by Tiffany   (4 3/4 inches)



Monday, July 27, 2015

Park Avenue by Manchester

Manchester introduced their Park Avenue pattern in 1931. The design itself is fairly simple, however the serving pieces are fairly ornate. Take the Cold Meat Serving Fork - I have never seen such an ornate piece. It looks to me more like a Tomato or Cucumber server in other patterns. Also note the unique style of the butter spreader - more modern than most 1931 patterns.

Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 1/2 inches)



Cream Soup Spoon (6 1/8 inches)



Flat Handle Butter Spreader (6 1/4 inches)


Pie Server (9 5/8 inches)







Friday, July 24, 2015

Queens by CJ Vander

There are several Queens patterns including Queens by Wallace, Queens by Gorham (1870), and Queens by Birks. This is Queens by CJ Vander. This is a beautiful pattern with a scallop shell design on the tip of the terminal.

Fork (8 3/8 inches)


Sugar Shell (5 1/2 inches)



Knife (10  1/4 inches)