One of my favorite things to collect is vintage silverware! My collection is mostly made up of silver-plate…a much more inexpensive version than sterling and still equally as elegant! I think I may have been in my late teens when I first became intrigued by silver and soon after started my little collection. (a result of growing up with “antique fair” parents!) To this day, I still love to pick up vintage silver for myself and for Giggle, so I always have an excuse for checking out the bins of silver stuff at antique stores and markets! And since I’ve been collecting for so long, I do have a pretty nice array of interesting servers to add to my displays of nibbles and treats any time we have guests! Not always sure what these old pieces were intended for–but I don’t really care, they can be substituted for just about anything on a buffet table and they look great doing their job! The other benefit–vintage silver-plate is available at almost every antique store–even at garage sales! Never mind that some of the tarnish doesn’t always polish off (the only down-side to silver plate)–but to me, that’s part of the unique patina of the piece! Whether it’s bright and shiny or a tad bit tarnished…vintage silver always adds elegance! And though I’m no expert, I’ll share with you some “silver 101” and what’s never hiding too long in my silver drawer…
serving up pretty…with silver!
a great place to start a collection would be with spoons! plentiful, usually inexpensive, and so useful…different styled spoons can be used in tons of ways! some of my collection includes sugar and fruit spoons…both often have scalloped or frilly edges. i use mine in sugar bowls but also for dips and toppers–from ice cream & dessert toppings to ingredients on a taco bar! the olive spoons, with their perforations to drain juices, are great for pickles, olives, or anything that may be served in liquid. the larger, scalloped spoon with perforations is a berry spoon…i think…and that’s how i typically use mine!
another nice piece to collect is the fork! i love the long handles on these individual lobster or fruit forks. approximately 5 inches long, these fancy forks would have been used at a swanky dinner party…but i usually use mine on platters of cheeses, smoked salmon or relish trays…
it’s fun to know what they are…but if i waited to use them for what they were originally intended for i might never use them! for example, the little spoon-like fork is a ramekin fork–for individual pudding-style desserts. i only have one so it can usually be found on random appetizer platters! same goes for the three-prong lemon fork…however, i may actually use it for lemon wedges next time i serve tea! (i didn’t even realize that’s what it was until i did some research!)
simple + silver = stylish!
even the simplest of platters get a touch of elegance! so easy to whip up something that looks nice and required little effort…a bonus when entertaining!
this is one of my favorites…and i do use it how it’s intended…the baked potato fork! a fun piece to have at the dinner table and you could use it for any large, firm vegetable or fruit served whole!
deeper spoons and small ladles are great for sauces and toppings…but even for chutneys, relishes, and salsas. i use mine to serve some sloppier side dishes too like mashed potatoes, rice,or couscous…
some fun finds: the asparagus tongs, a tomato server, and butter/nut picks…i even use the tongs for spring rolls and the tomato server would be fun for tarts! i like to use the picks to spear cherry tomatoes or chunks of cheese!
another staple for having in a silverware collection…spreaders! as plentiful as spoons, these come in handy for just about anything…jams & jellies to soft cheeses!
i just love the little details of silver…i was lucky to find the pickle fork with the Pantlind Hotel insignia on it. this historic hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan was built in 1913 and is currently known as the Amway Grand Plaza. i used to live in that city and even worked within the hotel for a time…so it has a lot of meaning for me! i also like to look for monogram pieces…especially H! but i never turn down a reasonable piece i fall in love with–no matter who’s initials are on it!
a cheese knife is always a practical choice…and this whimsical, flat server is great for thin cheeses and deli meat!
and though they’re a little tarnished, i love these pie and cake servers! mine get a lot of use too since i’m often baking plenty of my family’s favorite…apple pie! i do polish my pieces when they really need it…and my preference is for paste polish. some pieces will never be perfect but i love the pattern, uniqueness, and the history more than perfection or silver pedigree!
some Giggle embellishment of vintage jewels & buttons adds a unique touch…a little bohemian flair is always a welcome design as far as i’m concerned!
whether it’s the real deal, silver-plate, or even stainless…keep a collection of your favorites handy for anytime entertaining
and serve it up pretty with silver!