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, November 2, 2018

Secret Garden by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Secret Garden pattern in 1959.

Sugar Shell (6 1/8 inches)

Salad Serving Fork (8 7/8 inches)

Sugar Tongs (3 7/8 inches)

Cocktail/ Seafood Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Sea Rose by Gorham

A very simple pattern, Gorham's Sea Rose dates back to 1958.

Dinner Knife (9 1/4 inches)

Sugar Tongs (3 7/8 inches)

Medium Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)

Pea Spoon

Monday, October 29, 2018

Piper by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Piper pattern in 1880. There are different motifs on the terminal of different pieces.

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Youth Fork (6 inches)

Youth Knife (7 1/4 inches)

Friday, October 26, 2018

Nocturne by Gorham

Gorham introduced their Nocturne pattern in 1938.

Fruit/ Orange Spoon (7 inches)

Two Tine Butter Pick (5 3/4 inches)

Flat Handle Master Butter Knife (7 1/8 inches)

Tomato Server (7 3/4 inches)

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Nightingale by Gorham

Gorham's Nightingale pattern dates back to 1885.

Preserve Spoon (7 inches)

Pie Fork (5 7/8 inches)

Large Soup Ladle (11 3/8 inches)

Monday, October 22, 2018

Medici New by Gorham

Gorham introduced their "New" Medici pattern in 1971. There is also a version of this pattern with gold appointments.

Salad Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Lemon Fork (4 1/2 inches)

Punch Ladle (14 1/2 inches)

Pasta Server (11 3/8 Inches)

Monday, October 1, 2018

Nancy Lee by Reed and Barton

Nancy Lee, introduced by Reed and Barton in 1939, was perhaps named after the famous racehorse of 1921.

Ice Cream Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Stainless Blade 2-Piece Steak Carving Set

Sugar Shell Spoon (6 1/4 inches)

Friday, September 28, 2018

Ivanhoe by Wallace

Named after Inanhoe, a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott that was first published in 1819. The sterling pattern Ivanhoe was introduced by Wallace in 1893.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Nathan Hale by Lunt

Not every hero gets a sterling pattern named after them. Nathan Hale by International was introduced in 1912. According to Wikipedia -

"Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was an American soldier and spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City but was captured by the British and executed. Hale has long been considered an American hero and, in 1985, he was officially designated the state hero of Connecticut."

Now you know the rest of the story.

Strawberry Fork (4 3/4 inches)