Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2012-12-16

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, December 21, 2012

Ivy by Gorham

The pattern Ivy was designed by George Wilkinson. Gorham introduced it in 1865.

Cocktail Spoon (5 1/8 inches)

Waffle Server (8 3/8 inches)

Solid Waffle Server

Sugar Tongs (5 3/4 inches)

Large Sugar Tongs

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Grand Baroque Holiday Spoons by Wallace

Wallace put out a commemorative Holiday Sugar spoon each year in their Grand Baroque pattern, with a different theme.

2000 Wreath Sugar Spoon

2001 Christmas Tree Sugar Spoon

2001 Wreath Sugar Spoon

2002 Snowflake Sugar Spoon

2002 Christmas Snowflake Sugar Spoon

And,in 2001 there was a Christmas Tree Chocolate Spoon

2001 Christmas Tree Chocolate Spoon

Monday, December 17, 2012

Holly Patterns

In addition to Tiffany's Holly, and Holly by Frank Whiting, here are three additional Holly patterns. All have lovely a holly and berry motif on the terminal. And, all are hard to find.

Five O'Clock Teaspoon in Holly by Alvin (Circa 1900)
Five O’clock Teaspoon

Preserve Spoon in Holly by Watson

Holly by Baker Manchester (Circa 1895)
Five O’clock Teaspoon