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 Please help a novice choose a manufacturer
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| Author | Topic: Please help a novice choose a manufacturer |
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Samantha unregistered |
posted 12-02-2004 09:55 PM
 
Please pardon my basic question, but I have always loved the look and feel of sterling silver flatware but honestly don't know anything about it. Now that I am getting married, I can finally register for it but I can't decide which brand to choose. I love the Faberge Imperial Court but is it really $$ for a 5-piece place setting. I like the Christofle Malmaison but I was told that it is no longer made in France (not sure if this is true). Tuttle has some nice and very heavy settings (Trianon and Pantheon are two that I like). Ricci Impero is nice but I don't know much about this manufacturer. Wallace is reasonably priced but someone told me to avoid it because it isn't as well made as the others. Any opinions or advice would be most welcome. I don't want to make the wrong decision. Thank you very much! IP: Logged |
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nihontochicken Posts: 289 |
posted 12-03-2004 12:33 AM
Hi! Let me answer you somewhat obliquely. I won't try to discuss relative aesthetics of machine-made flatware patterns (been there, done that, not illuminating or rewarding). If a particular pattern gives you goosebumps, then go for it! But I would advise getting a very plain and traditional pre-punchpress pattern. By way of illustration, I was speaking with a proprietor of a local "estate jewelry" shop, who handles sterling holloware and flatware, and who was loathe to pay more than scrap value for most sterling flatware sets. No one wants the old patterns. In a few years, most patterns go out of style, no matter how exciting they seemed in their own time. If you desire to have a set that you may someday leave to your heirs, that won't wind up in the scrap crucible, then consider the very old, hand-made styles, Hanoverian Pattern (my favorite), Old English Pattern, or even Fiddle Pattern, though I would recommend the first two. Unfortunately, these traditional patterns seem to be too simple for modern tastes, and even when they are produced, have wierdo, non-traditional proprietary names attached. Likewise, sometimes manufacturers use these well-know pattern names to describe some gawdawful new pattern that bears little or no resemblance to the traditional namesake. So you may have to get a book on antique flatware to see what I'm describing. Trust me, get a heavy sterling flatware set in Old English Pattern or Hanoverian Pattern, and it will be something you can use and treasure your whole life, and will likely live on long after you are gone. Just a thought. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 12-03-2004 12:42 PM
While I agree with Nihontochicken that fancy styles go out of fashion quickly, they also may come back into fashion if you (or your heirs) wait long enough. Art Nouveau seemed very dated in the 1930s; Art Deco was old hat in the 1960s. Both now have avid fans. So if you take a long view, you might have to suffer through several decades of dated silver, but your granddaughter might thank you for it. Sorry not to address your real question... IP: Logged |
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WGS Posts: 136 |
posted 12-03-2004 01:26 PM
Again, this does not answer the question about manufacturers, but as to patterns, I think it's important to consider what the silver will go with. One might prefer a plainer silver pattern along with a fancier china patern. -- or vice versa. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Bob and Carol Carnighan Posts: 63 |
posted 12-03-2004 04:21 PM
Don't register for sterling flatware. Your guests will all be buying new and most will be paying retail. Your tastes will change with time. Most come to appreciate the look and feel of older pre-owned pieces. Buy a few place settings of used flatware in a pattern that you like and use it. Look for silver at your local auctions, antique malls and shows. Buy a few more pieces of a different pattern. Mixed patterns make a nice table and a conversation topic. Be patient; the journey to your ultimate favorite pattern will be richly rewarding. Ours has been. IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 12-05-2004 11:27 AM
I agree, there is no need to make a decision right away. You would be doing your guests and yourself a disservice by registering for a pattern, as they would be paying inflated prices at most of your normal retail outlets. Good antique sets are available, and believe it or not you can afford much better silver in the antique market than you could new. That said, if you do definitely want new silver I would consider Old Newbury Crafters for handmade (one of their craftsmen is a member here, and there is a Forum thread about the factory), or Tuttle for machine-made. Tuttle is a divison of the Wallace / International conglomerate. They were founded in 1890, and have only ever made sterling. Their silver has always been of good weight, classic design and good finish. Some of the patterns sold under the Tuttle name were not originated by them (Pantheon is an old International pattern, and Lamerie was made by Watson, and later Wallace). The Tuttle pieces in these patterns are generally of better quality than the originals. The foreign silver you are considering would not be of better quality than Tuttle, and would be a lot more expensive. Also, additions and/or replacement pieces might be harder to come by. I hope this helps! Brent IP: Logged |
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