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 26, 2020

Georgian Garland by Frank Smith

Formerly known as Isleworth, Frank Smith introduced Georgian Garland in 1914,

Bon Bon Spoon (4 5/8 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Solid Bon Bon Spoon W/Pierced Bowl


Pie Server (10 3/4 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Pie Server with Silverplate Blade

Dinner Fork (7 3/8 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Fork

Sugar Tongs (4 3/8 inches)

Frank Smith Georgian Garland (Sterling, 1914) Small Sugar Tongs


Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Cellini by Frank Smith

In 1890, Frank Smith introduced their Cellini pattern. This is one of those patterns that is greatly enhanced with a monogram. Note the difference between these 2 pieces which is remarkable with the only difference in the designs is that one is engraved.

Demitasse Spoon (4 inches

Frank Smith Cellini (Sterling, 1890) Demitasse Spoon

Dinner Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Frank Smith Cellini (Sterling, 1890) Fork

Monday, June 22, 2020

Adrienne by Frank Smith

Frank Smith introduced their Adrienne pattern in 1919. It is a fairly simple desig.

Pastry Fork (6 1/8 inches)
Frank Smith Adrienne (Sterling, 1919) Pastry Fork

Pie Server (10 inches)

Frank Smith Adrienne (Sterling, 1919) Pie Server with Stainless Blade

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

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)
Unger Brothers Narcissus (Sterling, 1890, Monograms) One Tine Butter Pick

Table Serving Spoon (8 inches)

Unger Brothers Narcissus (Sterling, 1890, Monograms) Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Dinner Knife (9 3/4 inches)
Unger Brothers Narcissus (Sterling, 1890, Monograms) Old French Hollow Knife with Bolster

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)
Unger Brothers Cupid Sunbeams (Sterling,1904) Fork

Food Pusher (4 1/4 inches)

Unger Brothers Cupid Sunbeams (Sterling,1904) Food Pusher Solid

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

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)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Sugar Spoon

Short Handled Pickle Fork (6 inches)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork

Sugar Tongs (3 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Sugar Tongs

Gravy Ladle (7 inches)

Gorham Silver Gossamer (Sterling, 1965, No Monograms) Solid Gravy Ladle


Monday, June 8, 2020

Regent by Gorham

Gorham's Regent pattern dates back to 1892.

Sugar Shell (5 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Regent (Sterling, 1892) Sugar Shell Spoon

Asparagus Serving Fork (9 inches)
Gorham Silver Regent (Sterling, 1892) Large Solid Asparagus Serving Fork

Master Butter Knife (7 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Regent (Sterling, 1892) Flat Handle Bright Cut Master Butter


Friday, June 5, 2020

Montclair by Gorham

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



Gorham Silver Montclair (Sterling, 1908) Five O'Clock Spoon