Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-02-12

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, February 17, 2012

Various Tongs (Part 1)

Over the years I have posted about the different types of Tongs, but I don't think I have ever looked at all of them together. They vary from the Asparagus Tong which can be long as 9 inches to the Bread Tong at 3 inches. I have divided this review into two parts. This is the first part. Also, I have provided links back to earlier posts on any of these I have already covered. So here we go - a comparative look at the Tong.

Asparagus Tongs (American Beauty by Shiebler 9 inches)

Solid Individual Asparagus Tongs (English King by Tiffany 5 inches)

Large Sugar Tongs (Irving by Wallace )

Sandwich Tongs (Baltimore Rose by Schofield 6 inches)

Sardine Tongs (Oval Twist by Whiting 5 1/2 inches)

Small Solid Tete-a-Tete Tongs (St. James by Tiffany 3 1/4 inches)

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Jelly Spoons (Part 2)

One again - Jelly Spoons. I have posted on them earlier. even though they get lost among the preserve, jam, and other jelly condiment accouterments, I still find them lovely pieces.

American Beauty by George W. Shiebler (7 1/4 inches)
Large Jelly Spoon

Lily by Whiting

Lancaster by Gorham (7 1/8 inches)

Plymouth by Gorham (6 1/4 inches)

Monday, February 13, 2012

Cherub by Watson-Newell

How much more lovely can you find detail such as this. Watson-Newell's Cherub pattern introduced in 1895 is a most unique pattern. Each piece has the angelic face of a cherub with its wings embellished on the terminal with a shield below (suitable for engraving). The stem is nicely decorated and the shoulders and bowls of the servings pieces are quite ornate.

Five O'clock Teaspoon (5 1/8 inches)

Large Chipped Beef Fork (6 3/4 inches)

Large Jelly Spoon (6 inches)

Salad Fork (5 3/4 inches)

Sauce Ladle (6 inches)