It’s party time again. Francis I, King Richard, or King Edward might come out of the cupboard and make an appearance at your table. Maybe you prefer Buttercup or Wild Rose. Or it could be Spring Glory unfurling with blind abandon as you prepare for the grand ritual of the vernal equinox, Easter dinner.
Many Southerners recall fond childhood memories of pulling out the good silver and polishing it to a shimmer with a soft cloth, then adding it as the final touch on a fabulous table. It lends that perfect sparkle not only for holidays but for hosting someone special or celebrating a family occasion—a baby shower, an engagement, a graduation. While flatware is part of the equation, a host of complementary pieces can elevate the table décor, like sterling goblets, mint julep cups, or magnificent candelabras. Mostly, it makes guests feel like the royalty for which the designs are often named.
It once was that a Southern girl, in a coming-of-age ritual, went shopping with her mother (and perhaps a grandmother or aunt) to select a silver pattern. This allowed family and friends to gift pieces for birthdays or holidays and assured she would have a considerable trousseau when she married. Even more certain was the newly engaged bride’s registry for a formal setting to make purchasing a wedding present easy for guests. That’s not always the case these days, but it doesn’t mean newlyweds aren’t interested in accumulating silver.
“Everybody who comes into the store now tells me young people aren’t really interested in silver. We actually have quite a few young customers,” says Duncan Cox, who owns As You Like It Silver Shop in New Orleans. Duncan’s mom, Helen, opened the shop in the early 1970s with a focus on antique furniture, but sterling soon became her sole passion. He took over the business in 1995 and now specializes in restoring pieces and fixing damaged items like a spoon that accidentally got gobbled up by a garbage disposal.
Duncan says one reason brides today may decide against a silver registry is the cost of sterling. “Silver is very high-priced,” he says. “They look at that and say, ‘No one is going to buy that for me, so why register for that?’” But they do appreciate the value of the metal and want to amass or add to collections that have been passed down, oftentimes in mishmash style from blended families.
Traditionally, starting a silver trove for a daughter, granddaughter, or favorite niece was as easy as going to the local department store and making a selection. Now there are multiple options, such as specialty silverware vendors, the Internet, secondhand outlets, antiques shows, flea markets, consignment shops, and more. To keep it affordable, buy one piece at a time or keep your eye out for estate sales or other venues where you might be able to obtain an entire grouping at a reasonable cost. Hunting for pieces can be a large part of the fun, so be sure to share details of the pattern or items with other loved ones who may want to contribute.
Duncan presents another interesting option that could help the budget. Some people bring in an heirloom set and trade it for another design. He says tastes in flatware change from generation to generation, but with so many patterns produced, there is always something to please. “I do notice a trend, as far as style is concerned, toward more modern, simple designs,” he says.
The three most popular styles at Duncan’s store are all well established: Francis I by Reed & Barton, as well as Chantilly and Strasbourg, both by Gorham. Other fashionable items include barware, candlesticks, monogrammed napkin rings, and vases. His database of sterling helps customers find missing pieces or odd articles that people collect, like marrow scoops or asparagus tongs. He encourages people to use their sterling every day, not just for special occasions. “I think people are starting to realize if they want to set a really nice table, silver is involved,” he says.
Text by Marie Baxley
Photography courtesy by As You Like It Silver Shop
Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele.
Styling by Melissa Sturdivant Smith
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