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, April 15, 2011

Lettuce Serving Fork

An interesting serving piece, the Lettuce Serving Fork has the general same form in most patterns.


Renaissance by Dominick and Haff (8 3/8 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork


Mazarin by Dominick and Haff ( 9 3/8 inches)


Lettuce Fork


Watteau by Durgin (9  7/8 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork


Lily of the Valley by Whiting (9 3/8 inches)
Small Twist Handle Lettuce Serving Fo






Luxembourg by Gorham (11 1/4 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork


Waverly by Wallace (8 3/4 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork


Heraldic by Whiting (9 1/8 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork


Cordova by Towle (7 3/4 inches)
Large Lettuce Serving Fork

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Jelly Spoons

I have previously mentioned Jelly Utensils, but here are examples of Jelly Spoons.


Mazarin by Dominick and Haff (7 1/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon

Lily of the Valley by Whiting (6 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon


King George by Gorham (7 5/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon


Luxembourg by Gorham (7 1/4 inches)


Large Jelly Spoon


Medici-Old by Gorham (7 1/8 inches)
Large Bright Cut Jelly Spoon


Virginiana by Gorham (7 3/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon




Rococo by Dominick and Haff (7 1/8 inches)


Large Jelly Spoon






Arlington by Towle (6 7/8 inches)
Large Bright Cut Jelly Spoon


Orchids by Towle (7 1/8 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon


Chrysanthemum by Tiffany (6 7/8 inches)
Spoon-Jelly/large

Monday, April 11, 2011

Empire Patterns

Although not floral, mythological, or the name of some lovely lady, the name Empire is popular among manufactures. Here are some patterns sharing that name and Durgin, Amston, Mount Vernon also have patterns with the same name.

Empire by Towle (1894) (Sugar Spoon)

Sugar Spoon

Empire by Whiting (1892) (Sugar Sifter)
Sugar Sifter



Empire by Reed and Barton (1892) (Berry Spoon)
Berry Spoon


Empire by Tetard-Freres




Empire by Buccellati


New Empire by Gorham (1895)