Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2010-02-28

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, March 5, 2010

Cheese Scoop

The Cheese Scoop is a delightful piece that can be found in two sizes - large and small. The larger used for scooping cheese from large chunks or pieces when being served - the smaller for serving soft cheeses such as cottage cheese or ricotta.

(Florentine by Tiffany 7 1/4 inches)

(Shown in Sandringham by Shiebler)

(Shown in Vine by Tiffany 6 inches also made in 7 1/4 inch size)

(Shown in Dauphin by Durgin 7 inches also made in 8 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Chocolate Muddlers

I have already discussed Chocolate Spoons, but a Chocolate Muddler is a bit different. Where a spoon is shorter, anywhere from 4 to 5 1/2 inches long, a muddler is longer, as long as 8 3/4 inches. The muddler is more for "agitating" the chocolate before it is served.

(Shown in Irian by Wallace 7 3/4 inches)

(Shown in Georgian by Towle 8 1/4 inches)

(Shown in Rose by Kirk Stieff 6 inches)

(Shown in Eton by Wallace 8 inches)

Monday, March 1, 2010

Bridal Bouquet by Alvin

1930 -1940 The original catalog described the pattern as "All the beauty and charm of flowers, from the delicate beauty of the forget-me-not in the shank of the handle to the wild rose of late summer and the autumn's chrysanthemum are brought out in high relief giving it a special kind of loveliness not found in any other pattern."

(Salad Fork 6 1/2 inches)

Bridal Bouquet By Alvin Sterling Salad Fork

(Master Butter Knife)

(2 piece Child Fork and Spoon)

(Fruit Orange Spoon)