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 19, 2020

Crest of Arden by Tuttle

Even though Tuttle introduced their Crest of Arden pattern in 1954, it has an Art Deco design.

Salad Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Solid Salad Serving Fork

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Solid Salad Serving Fork

Oval Soup Spoon (7 3/8 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Dessert/Oval Soup Spoon

Dinner Fork (7 3/8 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Fork

Jelly Server (6 3/4 inches)

Tuttle Crest of Arden (Sterling, 1954) Large Solid Jelly Server

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Narcissus by Unger

Unger's Narcissus pattern is an older one, introduced in 1890.

One Tine Butter Pick (6 3/4 inches)

Table Serving Spoon (8 inches)

Dinner Knife (9 3/4 inches)

Monday, June 15, 2020

Cupids Sunbeams by Unger

Another pattern Unger introduced in 1904. Cupid's Sunbeams with the countenances of 2 cupids wrapped in sunbeams on the terminal.

Luncheon Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Food Pusher (4 1/4 inches)

Friday, June 12, 2020

Love's Dream by Unger

Unger's 1904 Love's Dream pattern is one of the many Unger patterns with a romantic theme.

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)
Unger Brothers Loves Dream (Sterling, 1904) Monogram Teaspoon

Unger Brothers Loves Dream (Sterling, 1904) Monogram Teaspoon

Youth Tea Fork (6 inches)
Unger Brothers Loves Dream (Sterling, 1904) Solid Youth Tea Fork

Youth Tea Knife (7 1/4 inches)
Unger Brothers Loves Dream (Sterling, 1904) Youth/Tea Knife with Stainless Blade

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Gossamer by Gorham

Gorham's Gossamer pattern dates back to 1965 and was designed by J. Russell Price. The tapered design is very simple with the exception of a small leaf design at the bottom if the stem. Price also designed King Edward for Gorham (1936), Chapel Bells for Alvin (1939), Epic by Gorham, as well as Greenbrier for Gorham (1938).

Sugar Spoon (6 inches)

Short Handled Pickle Fork (6 inches)

Sugar Tongs (3 7/8 inches)

Gravy Ladle (7 inches)

Monday, June 8, 2020

Regent by Gorham

Gorham's Regent pattern dates back to 1892.

Sugar Shell (5 7/8 inches)

Asparagus Serving Fork (9 inches)

Master Butter Knife (7 7/8 inches)

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)