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, March 10, 2017

Laurel by Watson

Watson introduced their Laurel pattern in 1917. The pattern is simple with a ribbon of laurel leaves along the edge of each piece.

Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Olive Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Petite Server (5 inches)

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Dorian Rose by Watson

Watson introduced Dorian Rose in 1937. It was designed by Percy B Ball. Ball also designed Juliana for Watson in 1938.

Small Casserole Spoon (7 5/8 inches)

Small Cold Meat Serving Fork (7 3/4 inches)

Modern Knife (9 1/2 inches)

Monday, March 6, 2017

Hampshire by Durgin

Durgin introduced their Hampshire pattern in 1906.

Sugar Tongs (4 1/2 inches)

Cocktail Fork (5 1/2 inches)

French Hollow Knife (9 3/4 inches)

Friday, March 3, 2017

Liberty by Watson

There are several patterns with this name, but Watson's Liberty pattern was introduced in 1916. It was designed by Charles F. Simms who also designed Talisman Rose (1948) and Martha Hilton (1914) for Watson.

Lemon Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Preserve Spoon (7 5/8 inches)

Pie Server (10 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Tara by Reed and Barton

Reed and Barton introduced Tara in 1955. It was available until 2011.

Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Tomato Server (8 1/8 inches)

Cake Knife (10 1/2 inches)

Lettuce Serving Spoon (8 3/8 inches)

Monday, February 27, 2017

Marechal Niel by Durgin

A beautiful old pattern, Durgin introduced Marechal Niel in 1896. The name comes from a fragrant yellow climbing rose with little or no thorns. The rose itself was introduced in 1864.

Lettuce Serving Fork (8 3/4 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Ice Cream Slicer (9 3/4 inches)

Orange Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

Friday, February 24, 2017

Homewood by Kirk Stieff

Kirk Stieff introduced their Homewood pattern in 1938. It is a simple yet elegant pattern that is timeless in design.

Salad Fork (6 1/8 inches)

Sugar Tongs (4 1/4 inches)

Bouillon Soup Spoon (5 1/8 inches)

Cheese Server (6 3/8 inches)

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Princess Patricia by Gorham

Princess Patricia was introduce by Gorham in 1926. The pattern was most likely named for Princess Patricia of Connaught, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria who relinquished her title of British Princess and HRH when she married Alexander Ramsey.

Bon Bon Spoon (4 1/2 inches)

Seafood Fork (5 1/4 inches)

Egg Server (8 3/4 inches)

Salad Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Monday, February 20, 2017

Orleans by Michael J. Fina

Continuing with Orleans, this is the one introduced by Micheal C. Fina in 1934. This pattern is fairly unique in that due to the nature of the heavy design, most of the pieces are hollow handle. And all the examples I could find were serving pieces, so this may be a "limited" pattern made up of only serving pieces. Tiffany has several such patterns.

Casserole Spoon (9 inches)

Small Steak Carving Fork (9 1/2 inches)

Gravy Ladle (7 inches)

Friday, February 17, 2017

Orleans by Towle

Yet another "Orleans" pattern. This one by Towle introduced in 1890. The design is one of lovely scroll work.

Sugar Spoon (5 7/8 inches)