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, December 11, 2015

Ice Cream Server Part 3

The Ice Cream Server is a large fairly ornate piece (in most patterns) that I have posted on earlier. Here are some more examples. Note the different sizes and shapes of the blade as well as the ornamentation.


Old English by Towle (9 5/8 inches)




Stieff Rose by Kirk Stieff (10 1/2 inches)



St. Dunstan by Tiffany (11 3/8 inches)



Lily of the Valley by Whiting  (9 7/8 inches)







Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Joan of Arc by International

International introduced Joan of Arc in 1940. It was designed by Alfred G. Kintz who also designed Empress (1932), Springtime (1935), and Wedgwood (1924)for the company. This pattern should not be confused with International's Jeanne d'arc pattern they introduced in 1905 that designed by John T. Clulee.


Salad Fork (6 1/8 inches)



Individual Salt Spoon (2 3/8 inches)




Fruit Knife (6 7/8 inches)




Large Jelly Server (6 3/8 inches)

Monday, December 7, 2015

Priscilla by Lunt

Lunt introduced Priscilla in 1897. It is a simple pattern with a beaded edge and a simple element at the top of the terminal.


Cream Ladle (5 3/8 inches)



Flat Handle Butter Knife ( 5 3/8 inches)







Friday, December 4, 2015

Nellie Custis by Lunt

Lunt introduced Nellie Custis in 1915. My assumption is that the pattern was named for the youngest of Martha Washington's three granddaughters. Nellie's father was the son from Martha's first marriage.  The pattern has a lovely design with all the adornment being in the lower half of the stem which gives the illusion of the design being in the middle of each piece. It makes for a quite elegant look. 

George C. Lunt designed this pattern. He also designed John Hancock (1911) and Chatelaine (1896) for the Lunt Company.


Sugar Sifter (5 1/4 inches)



Oval Soup Spoon  (7 1/8 inches)



Strawberry Fork (4 7/8 inches)




Old French Hollow Knife (8 7/8 inches)



Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Monday, November 30, 2015

Riviera by International

International introduced their Riviera pattern in 1936. 

Bouillon Soup (5 1/2 inches)



Steak Carving Knife (10 inches)



Tomato Server (8 inches)




Cocktail Fork (5 1/2 inches)





Friday, November 27, 2015

Buckingham by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Buckingham pattern in 1909. The lines on the pattern are very similar to their most popular Chantilly pattern.


Salad Fork (6 3/8 inches)


Ramekin Fork (4 3/4 inches)



Olive Fork (5 1/2 inches)



Sugar Spoon (6 inches)




Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Turkey by Tiffany

Tiffany's Turkey pattern is very ornate with the tail of a tom turkey fanned out at the top of the terminal. Fruits, grains, and vegetables grace the stem of each piece. As far as I can find this is one of Tiffany's incomplete patterns. That is - it is a pattern of the serving pieces only. I could find no individual place pieces. And Tiffany had several patterns they issued like this.


Pie and Cake Server (10 3/4 inches)


Roast Carving Fork (11  inches)



Gravy Ladle (7  3/8 inches)

Monday, November 23, 2015

Cranberry Server Part 3

More examples of the Cranberry Server, like I posted on earlier. The piece is a very similar to the Tomato Server, the differences being it has a solid spade instead of the Tomato Server's pierced one and usually has an up turned lip on one side.

Queen Elizabeth I by Towle (9 1/4 inches)





Stradivari by Wallace (8 3/8 inches)



Impero by Towle





King Richard by Towle (8 1/2 inches)







Friday, November 20, 2015

Springtime by International

International introduced Springtime in 1935. It was co-designed by Alfred G. Kintz and  Frederick W. Stark. Kintz also designed Wedgewood (1924) and Empress (1932) for International. Stark designed Fontaine in 1924 for the company.



Lemon Fork (5 7/8 inches)



Tomato Server (7 7/8 inches)




Oval Soup Spoon (7 1/4 inches)



Flat Handle Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)