Once upon a time, the formal meal consisted of up to 10 courses, with as many as five different types of forks, knives and spoons –– each with its own specific purpose. The Victorian dinner service would have included a different spoon for tea, coffee, iced tea, demitasse, gumbo(of course!) and bouillon.
Sadly, the days of such extravagance and formality have passed, and today our flatware sets tend to be more modest in size. Still, the love of silver, both functional and decorative, remains undiminished.
In the following pages, we celebrate it all –– from hollow to flat, from modern to antique, from punch ladle to pickle fork, come join in our love affair of all things sterling.
desert mirage
CoralReef bowl by Michael Aram from Saks Fifth Avenue. In bowl, clockwise:Pomegranate salt and pepper shakers by Michael Aram and tray with tree handle, all from Saks Fifth Avenue, and sugar and cream set and coffeepot, all from Mélange Sterling Silver Shop.
On ground, from left: Placemat by KS Casual and cup by Michael Aram, both from SaksFifth Avenue; cake server with antler handle by Ben & Lael and serving knife, both from Mélange Sterling Silver Shop; ginkgo leaf salad tongs by Michael Aram from Saks Fifth Avenue; and gravy ladle with antler handle by Ben & Lael from Mélange Sterling Silver Shop.
our cup runneth over
Outer clockwise: Trumpet vases, ivory-handled luncheon knives in mint julep cup and sterling repoussé pitcher by Bailey & Co., all from MélangeSterling Silver Shop; Georgian meat fork and Victorian jelly tureen,both from Lucullus; bon bon spoon, mint julep cup and shell plate, all from Mélange Sterling Silver Shop; 18th-century marrow scoop from Lucullus; bon bon spoon, punch ladle with Litchfield pattern, cup,gravy boat by Tuttle and stuffing spoon, all from Mélange Sterling Silver Shop; 19th-century French oyster fork from Lucullus; and silver plate water pitcher from As You Like It Silver Shop. Inner clockwise:Bud vases by W.K. Vandersliee, bud vase by Empire Silver and tray (with cherries), all from Mélange Sterling Silver Shop, and horn knife and American cream jug, circa 1905, both from Lucullus.
Federal Cotillion by Frank Smith from Mélange Sterling Silver Shop
Grande Baroque by Wallace from As You Like It Silver Shop
Continental by Tuttle from As You Like It Silver Shop
Hyperion by Whiting from As You Like It Silver Shop
19th-century French/Napoleon III period with Medallion from Lucullus.
English Onslow by C.J. Vander from As You Like It Silver Shop
19th-century French with filet pattern from Lucullus
Etruscan by Gorham from As You Like It Silver Shop
Diamond by Reed & Barton from As You Like It Silver Shop
French Art Deco silver plate from Lucullus.