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, June 5, 2020

Montclair by Gorham

In 1908 Gorham introduced their Montclair pattern. I was thrilled when I stumbled across this pattern.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Lady Washington by Gorham

Gorham's Lady Washington pattern dates back to 1876.

Fish Knife (7 1/8 inches)

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Ice Cream Fork (5 3/8 inches)

Sugar Shell (5 3/4 inches)

Monday, June 1, 2020

Griswold by Gorham

Gorham's Griswold pattern was introduced in 1922. It was designed by William C. Codman. Other Gorham patterns designed by Codman Other Codman designed Patterns include Florentine, Etruscan, Fleury, Tuileries, Albemarle, New Queens, Spotswood, and Imperial Chrysanthemum.

Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Gumbo Soup Spoon (6 7/8 inches)

Dinner Knife HH (8 7/8 inches)

Friday, May 29, 2020

Elmwood by Gorham

Gorham's Elmwood pattern dates back to 1894.

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Elmwood (Sterling,1894) Teaspoon

Dinner Knife HH (9 5/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Elmwood (Sterling,1894) New French Hollow Knife

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Princess Ingrid by Frank Whiting

Frank Whiting's Princess Ingrid pattern dates back to 1945 and is Art Deco in design.

Cocktail Fork (5 5/8 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Cocktail/Seafood Fork

Pie Server (10 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Pie Server with Stainless Blade

Pierced Casserole Spoon (9 1/4 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Solid Pierced Casserole Spoon

Butter Spreader (6 1/8 inches)

Frank Whiting Princess Ingrid (Sterling) Hollow Handle Paddle Butter Spreader (Solid)

Monday, May 25, 2020

Princess Fuchsia by Frigast

Frigast's Princess Fuchsia is an art deco design. And for WIW, the name refers to the flower of the same name. Note the design at the bottom of the stem.

Dinner Fork (7 1/4 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Fork

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Fork

Cream Soup Spoon (6 3/8 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Round Bowl Soup Spoon (Cream Soup)

Butter Spreader (6 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Hollow Handle Paddle Butter Spreader (Solid)

Bottle Opener (5 5/8 inches)

Frigast Princess Fuchsia (Sterling) Bottle Opener with Stainless Bowl

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Cambridge Gold by Old Newbury

A pattern by a little known company, Old Newbury, Cambridge Gold dates back to only 1976 (relatively new for a sterling pattern).

Dinner Fork (European Size) 8 1/4 inches

Old Newbury Cambridge Gold (Sterling, Gold Accent) European Fork

Monday, May 18, 2020

Princess Elizabeth by National

National's Princess Elizabeth pattern was introduced in 1942. Perhaps this was in honor of the young princess of United Kingdom during World War II.

Joint/ Roast Holder (10 1/8 inches)

National Silver Co Princess Elizabeth (Sterling,1942) Large Joint/Roast Holder Fork

National Silver Co Princess Elizabeth (Sterling,1942) Large Joint/Roast Holder Fork

Large Jelly Server (6 1/4 inches)

National Silver Co Princess Elizabeth (Sterling,1942) Large Solid Jelly Server

Pierced Tablespoon (8 3/8 inches)
National Silver Co Princess Elizabeth (Sterling,1942) Pierced Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Bread Knife (10 3/8 inches)

National Silver Co Princess Elizabeth (Sterling,1942) Bread Knife with Stainless Blade

Friday, May 15, 2020

Pompeian by Whiting

In 1913 Whiting introduced their Pompeian pattern,

Large Solid Fish Serving Fork (8 inches)

Whiting Division Pompeian (Sterling, 1913) Large Solid Fish Serving Fork

Whiting Division Pompeian (Sterling, 1913) Large Solid Fish Serving Fork

Egg Spoon (5 5/8 inches)

Whiting Division Pompeian (Sterling, 1913) Egg Spoon

Individual Fish Fork (5 1/2 inches)

Whiting Division Pompeian (Sterling, 1913) Individual Solid Fish Fork

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Royal Rose by Century

Century's (now International's) Royal Rose pattern dates back to 1938. It is a lovely pattern with a detailed floral design.

Dinner Fork - HH (9 inches)

International Silver Royal Rose (Sterling, 1938) New French Hollow Knife

International Silver Royal Rose (Sterling, 1938) New French Hollow Knife

Iced Teaspoon (7 5/8 inches)

International Silver Royal Rose (Sterling, 1938) Iced Tea Spoon

Master Butter Knife (6 7/8 inches)

International Silver Royal Rose (Sterling, 1938) Flat Handle Master Butter Knife