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 20, 2020

Veranda by Kirk Stieff

Only dating back to 1993, Stieff's Veranda pattern has a design of scrolls and flowers on the terminal.


Pierced Table Serving Spoon (8 1/8 inches)



Sugar Shell (6 1/4 inches)



Salad Fork (6 1/4 inches)




Pie Server (11 inches)










Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Rose by Kirk Stieff

Kirk Stieff's Rose pattern dates back to 1937.


Fish Fork (6 1/2 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Individual Fish/Pastry Fork


Chocolate Spoon (4 3/4 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Individual Chocolate/Sherbet Spoon

Steak Knife (8 1/2 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Individual Steak Knife Hollow Handle,Full Repousse


Berry Spoon (8 inches)

Kirk Stieff Stieff Rose (Sterling, 1892, No Monograms) Small Chased Berry Spoon-3 Berries

Monday, November 16, 2020

Royal Dynasty by Kirk Stieff

Kirk Stieff's Royal Dynasty pattern only dates back to 1966.

Cake Server (10 5/8 inches)

Kirk Stieff Royal Dynasty (Sterling, 1966) Pie & Cake Server with Stainless Blade


Solid Serving Spoon (8 5/8 inches)

Kirk Stieff Royal Dynasty (Sterling, 1966) Solid Serving Spoon


Lemon Fork (4 3/4 inches)

Kirk Stieff Royal Dynasty (Sterling, 1966) Lemon Fork


Berry Spoon (9 1/4 inches)

Kirk Stieff Royal Dynasty (Sterling, 1966) Medium Solid Berry/Casserole Spoon


Friday, November 13, 2020

JSK 15 by JB and SM Knowles

 JSK 15 by JB and SM Knowles is a unique pattern with a diagonal twist pattern.

Sugar Shell (5 3/4 inches)

 JB & SM Knowles JSK15 (Sterling) Sugar Shell Spoon, Bright Cut



Wednesday, November 11, 2020

No. 10 by JB and SM Knowles

 JB and SM Knowles' No. 10 pattern dates back to 1882.

Sugar Spoon (5 7/8 inches)

JB & SM Knowles No. 90 (Sterling, 1882) Bright Cut Bowl Sugar Spoon


Oyster Fork (5 7/8 inches)

JB & SM Knowles No. 90 (Sterling, 1882) Oyster Fork

Monday, November 9, 2020

Bacchanalian by CJ Vander

 This is CJ Vander's Bacchanalian pattern


Dessert Knife (8 1/2 inches)

CJ Vander Bacchanalian (Sterling) Dessert Knife with Stainless Blade



Friday, November 6, 2020

William and Mary by CJ Vander

 This is CJ Vander's William and Mary pattern.


Dinner Fork (8 1/4 inches)

CJ Vander William & Mary (Sterling) Fork


Serving Table Spoon (8 3/4 inches)

CJ Vander William & Mary (Sterling) Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)


Butter Knife (6 3/4 inches)

CJ Vander William & Mary (Sterling) Hollow Handle Master Butter Knife

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Tudor by JB and SM Knowles

 JB and SM Knowle's Tudor pattern dates back to 1885.

Dinner Fork (7 1/4 inches)

JB & SM Knowles Tudor (Sterling, 1885) Fork

Monday, November 2, 2020

BBB13 by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle

 Bailey, Banks, and Biddle's BBB13 pattern is an older pattern.


Large Asparagus Serving Fork (10 1/8 inches)

Bailey, Banks & Biddle BBB13 (Sterling) Bright Cut Large Solid Asparagus Serving Fork

Friday, October 30, 2020

Salem Witch by Gorham - Revisited

I first posted on this pattern in 2012. It is such a unique pattern, I am re-posting it.  

The Salem Witch pattern was designed in 1892 by Daniel Low for Gorham on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Salem Witch trials. This was the second, more detailed "Salem Witch" design he created.

Teaspoon (5 7/8 inches)

Gorham Silver Salem Witch (Sterling) Teaspoon

Durgin (which later was sold to Gorham) in 1880 introduced the earlier, less intricate Salem Witch pattern also designed by Daniel Low.