posted 03-21-2008 04:13 PM            

Article continued from Shiebler's Floral Flatware, Part 1: Flora - post 4 of 7(click here)

Figures 9 through 13 (see below) show various examples of serving pieces in Flora, some of which deserve comment. Except for some of Gorham's patterns, it is unusual to have three forms of ice cream slices in the same pattern. As we illustrate in Figure 9 (see below), this also occurs in Flora, with slices in three sizes, each with a different handle motif. The longest, with motif no. 17, is the only piece in this pattern besides the table knives that we have encountered with a hollow handle. If meat carving pieces were made, they might share this same hollow handle.

The center pieces in Figure 10 (see below) appear to be two forms of serving forks. Measuring 9 inches, the item on the left with three tines is a possible large cold meat fork. The piece on the right, measuring 10 1/2 inches, has two unusually long, wide, pointed tines. We have no idea what this fork was intended to serve.

The serving fork and spoon shown in Figure 11 (see below)have several atypical features: oversized and unusually shaped serving ends, both gilded, and different motifs on their handles despite having been bought as a set. We think they are a salad set as it would be typical of Shiebler to have different handle motifs on the two pieces and an uncommon serving end on the salad fork.

The unusual serving spoon on the far right in Figure 12 (see below) has a spherical bowl with a rim that is one-quarter scalloped. William B. Durgin made similar spoons that were called vegetable spoons, 26 and we think this spoon may fall into the same category.

Figure 13 (see below) shows several ladle forms, including a handsome oyster/small soup ladle and a rare claret ladle/spoon.

Article continues in Shiebler's Floral Flatware, Part 1: Flora - post 6 of 7(click here)



Fig. 8. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Left-to-right: Tablespoon, dessert spoon, soup spoon (broad ovoid bowl), soup spoon, cream (round bowl), teaspoon, ice cream spoon, grapefruit spoon (“pinched nose”), orange spoon (pointed oval bowl), demitasse spoon.


Fig. 9. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Three ice cream slices. Left-to-right: small, F.H.; medium, F.H. (collection of Michele Howe); large, H.H. (courtesy of Antique Cupboard).

Fig. 10. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Left-to-right: bonbon spoon, three-tined serving fork (large cold meat fork?), two-tined serving fork, tomato server. Photo courtesy of Brittania.

posted 03-21-2008 05:07 PM            

Fig. 11. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Probable salad serving set.

Fig. 12. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Left-to-right: pie knife/pastry server, small (collection of Michele Howe); fish serving knife, small; possible vegetable spoon.

Fig. 13. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Left-to-right: oyster/small soup ladle, gravy ladle, sugar sifter (collection of Charles Curb), claret ladle/spoon (courtesy of Antique Cupboard).

Article continues in Shiebler's Floral Flatware, Part 1: Flora - post 6 of 7(click here)