Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-02-24

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 1, 2013

Louis XV by Durgin

Durgin introduced Louis XV in 1891. It is an elaborate pattern typical of Durgin. The design is lovely and causes the stem, in following the design, to be somewhat wavy, which brings beauty to the pattern.

Cracker Spoon (7 1/2 inches)

Demitasse Spoon (4 1/4 inches)

Large Lettuce Serving Fork (8 3/4 inches)

Large Fish Serving Set

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Honeysuckle by Whiting

An old pattern, Honeysuckle by Whiting, dates back to 1870. The design has honeysuckles plants in bloom on the terminal with a crossed thin cord motif at the top of the stem, simple lines down the stem, with a band of the cord motif repeated just above the shoulder. Some of the bowls and blades have decoration on them, but for the most part, all the design is focused on the terminal.

Dinner Fork (7 1/8 inches)

Whiting Manf Co Honeysuckle (Sterling, 1870) Fork

Teaspoon (6 1/8 inches)

Whiting Manf Co Honeysuckle (Sterling, 1870) Teaspoon

Monday, February 25, 2013

Gladstone by Whiting

This pattern, Gladstone, by Frank Whiting dates back to 1891. It is a glorious pattern with few examples. It is a heavy design of scrolls and textures.

Large Sardine Serving Fork

Salad Serving Spoon (9 inches)
Salad Serving Spoon, Solid Piece in the Gladstone (strl,1891) pattern by Frank Whiting Silver