Silver Pieces - The Strange and Peculiar: 2013-12-01

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 6, 2013

Salad Serving Fork with Wooden Prongs

This is a very practical piece, that can be found in both old and new patterns. The Salad Serving Fork with Wooden Prongs (and usually accompanying Serving Spoon both wooden bowl). And, they are commonly fairly large pieces usually ranging around 11 inches in length.

Prelude by International (10 5/8 inches)

Etruscan by Gorham (11 1/2 inches)

Pointed Antique by Reed and Barton (10 3/4 inches)

King Edward by Gorham (10 5/8 inches)

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Cheese Cleaver (Part 2)

I posted on the Cheese Cleaver earlier. This is what one would call a "significant" piece in its weight alone.

Rose Point by Wallace

Strativari by Wallace (6 3/4 inches)

Lady Hilton by Westmoreland

Old Colony by Gorham (6 3/8 inches)

Monday, December 2, 2013

Beauvoir by Tuttle

Normally, I do not care for or write about, what I consider, newer patterns. Since this pattern, Beauvoir by Tuttle, was introduced in 1967 (and discontinued in 2003), I consider this a rather "modern" pattern. However, when I ran across the pattern, I was taken by it's design. It is unlike most mid to late 20th century designs.

It is an open design, with a garland that drapes from the sides of terminal down to the top of the stem. Both the top of terminal and the top of the stem have an embellished motif on them. The stem has lines that run down to a design that joins the stem and the shoulder nicely.

Short Handle Olive Fork (5 5/8 inches)
Tuttle Beauvoir (Sterling, 1967) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork

Tuttle Beauvoir (Sterling, 1967) Short Handle Pickle/Olive Fork

Sugar Spoon (6 1/8 inches)

Tuttle Beauvoir (Sterling, 1967) Sugar Spoon

Pierced Table Serving Spoon (8 3/4 inches)

Tuttle Beauvoir (Sterling, 1967) Pierced Tablespoon (Serving Spoon)

Butter Knife (6 1/4 inches)

Tuttle Beauvoir (Sterling, 1967) Modern Hollow Butter Spreader (Stainless)