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, January 24, 2020

Fiddle Shell (formerly Alden) by Frank Smith

Frank Smith introduced their Fiddle Shell pattern in 1914.

Cream Soup Spoon ( 6 1/4 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup)

Cocktail Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Flat Handle Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Flat Handle Crumber (11 inches)

Frank Smith Fiddle Shell-Alden (Sterling,1914,No Monos) Large Flat Handle Crumb Knife/Crumber

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Cold Cut Serving Fork

While most patterns have at least one Cold Meat Serving Fork, but I recently stumbled upon the Cold Cut Serving Fork. Most of the examples I found were in patterns by Georg Jensen.

Pyramid by Georg Jensen (5 5/8 inches)

Georg Jensen (Denmark) Pyramid (Sterling, 1927) 2-Tine Cold Cut Serving Fork

Cactus by Georg Jensen (6 1/8 inches)

Georg Jensen (Denmark) Cactus (Sterling, 1930) 2-Tine Cold Cut Serving Fork

Valdres by Marthinson Silver (9 1/2 inches)

Marthinsen Silver,T H Valdres (Sterling) Medium 2-Tine Cold Cut Serving Fork

Ornamental Items by Georg Jensen (5 7/8 inches)

Georg Jensen (Denmark) Ornamental Items (Sterling) Large 2-Tine Cold Cut Serving Fork

Monday, January 20, 2020

Washington by Dominick and Haff

Dominick and Haff's Washington pattern dates back to 1905.

Individual Fish Fork (6 inches)

Dominick & Haff Washington (Sterling, 1905) Individual Solid Fish Fork

Dominick & Haff Washington (Sterling, 1905) Individual Solid Fish Fork

Individual Fish Knife (7 1/2 inches)

Dominick & Haff Washington (Sterling, 1905) Individual Solid Fish Knife

Large Berry Spoon (9 1/4 inches)

Dominick & Haff Washington (Sterling, 1905) Large Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon

Large Fish Serving Knife (10 inches)

Dominick & Haff Washington (Sterling, 1905) Large Solid Fish Serving Knife

Friday, January 17, 2020

Pond by Dominick and Haff

Pond by Dominick and Haff (circa 1884) is an interesting pattern. It is multi motiff, meaning there are different designs in the patterns. Each design features a different insect, a water bug, a dragon fly, and a bee.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Acanthus by Dominick and Haff

An older pattern, Dominick's Acanthus dates back to 1897.

Strawberry Fork (5 inches)

Preserve Spoon (7 3/4 inches)
Dominick & Haff Acanthus (Sterling, 1897) Preserve Spoon

Dominick & Haff Acanthus (Sterling, 1897) Preserve Spoon

Salad Fork (6 1/8 inches)
Dominick & Haff Acanthus (Sterling, 1897) Individual Salad Fork

Monday, January 13, 2020

Kenilworth by Albert Coles

Albert Coles' Kenilworth pattern dates back to 1850. This is when I pause to think - this pattern introduced 169 years ago.

Table Serving Spoon (8 3/8 inches)

Albert Coles Kenilworth (Sterling, 1850) Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Albert Coles Kenilworth (Sterling, 1850) Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Master Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)

Albert Coles Kenilworth (Sterling, 1850) Flat Handle Bright Cut Master Butter

Youth Tee Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Albert Coles Kenilworth (Sterling, 1850) Solid Youth Tea Fork

Friday, January 10, 2020

Narcissus by Blackinton

Blakinton's Narcissus pattern was released in 1902. This is a prime example of the beauty and true art of stering from the Victorian period.

Cocktail Fork

Blackinton Narcissus (Sterling) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Cheese Scoop (7 inches)

Blackinton Narcissus (Sterling) Solid Cheese Scoop

Bouillon Ladle (8 inches)

Blackinton Narcissus (Sterling) Bouillon Ladle

Bon Bon Scoop (5 1/2 inches)

Blackinton Narcissus (Sterling) Bon Bon Scoop

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Scroll and Bead by Blackinton

Blackinton's Scroll and Bead pattern dates back to 1940. Like the name says it is of the "Bead" design with small dots surrounding the stem.

Jelly Server (6 3/8 inches)

Blackinton Scroll & Bead (Sterling,1940,No Monograms) Large Solid Jelly Server

Blackinton Scroll & Bead (Sterling,1940,No Monograms) Large Solid Jelly Server

Meat Serving Fork (7 1/2 inches)

Blackinton Scroll & Bead (Sterling,1940,No Monograms) Small Solid Cold Meat Serving Fork

Butter Spreader (5 3/4 inches)

Blackinton Scroll & Bead (Sterling,1940,No Monograms) Flat Handle Butter Spreader

Serving Spoon (9 3/4 inches)

Blackinton Scroll & Bead (Sterling,1940,No Monograms) Utility Serving Spoon with Stainless Bowl

Monday, January 6, 2020

Verona by Blackinton

Verona by Blackinton released in 1905, is another beautiful example of Victorian sterling. This pattern has a lovely grape design.

Two Tine Butter Pick (5 7/8 inches)