The Mistress had a very lovely Mother's Day weekend , as I planned to be at the ancestral home for a couple days visit, and had several good dinners for my mother in addition to helping her get some things done around the house. Well, you know, we supervised the houseboys getting things done. One of the things I had been meaning to do for some time, was polished the silver set that my mother packed away after my fathers death. She was never fond of silver sets...she's more modern than I, and she has told me repeatedly to take the set to the Casa du Borghese for entertaining with high teas. Mind you, the set hasn't seen the light of day for at least 15 years...packed away in the china cabinet. Needless to say is was tarnished black as night when we got it out. But nothing the Mistress couldn't spit shine. It was good as new again and ready for happy days.
The set was actually my great, great grandmothers on my father's side. The set was made in 1895 we do know, and was made in Hartford CT, by two brothers who had a silver company, Barbour Brothers Co. The tray is even initialed with a "V" for our families last name. I also know, that all of the grandmothers did indeed use it. My mother recalls when my father took her home to meet his mother and grand, she served coffee with the set. My father's parents were very formal and great entertainers at home. So it was a nice surprise to see it brought back to glory again, I was worried...... such artistry and detail......
Even a gravy boat! I did some more research over the weekend about the pattern only to find that not many sets where made with this floral and grape pattern, and some collectors had pieces, but not a whole set, which upon further reading, said it's hard to find a whole set still together.
I'm thinking this is a family heirloom to definitely be cherished. If anyone is interested, I'll be serving low tea on Sundays, with light disco ....of course!
beautiful set; is it complete? may I join you for tea and light disco and scones some sunday morning?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a complete set. Tea this sunday?
DeleteHow beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes, by all means a family heirloom to be cherished!!! What a gorgeous set it is and it's amazing how polished you got it. We have a silver set no where near that pretty. I would love to take tea with you in your home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a set! Having an antiques shop, I can tell you that this is a pattern less seen, and you correct, not many sets are in tact, many have missing pieces. The gravy boat is even harder to find. The Barbour Bro. Co I believe got absorbed with other silver companies eventually to form one large company called, I believe, International Silver Co. If it does indeed have Barbour engraved on it with a set of four numbers, you have a great treasure indeed. It is amazing to see the whole set...it's been a while. I'll email you more information and places to appraise if you like. Your great great grandmother had excellent taste.
ReplyDeleteYes, when I looked on the bottom of each piece, it did have the Barbour name a four digit number. I have thought we should have it appraised.
DeleteDear, you know we love a tea dance!!!! What a beautiful family heirloom. It's stunning.
ReplyDeleteMy mother had a coffee and tea service and when she moved I think she gave it away. I sure hope we didn't regret that. Your families service is stunning. I like shiny things.
ReplyDeleteLovely things from a by-gone era. Treasure them for sure. It a beautiful set, very regal. Your a good son, I can tell.
ReplyDeleteYou should take it on Antiques Roadshow to get it appraised!
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know the air date!
DeleteI heard your spit shines are legendary!
ReplyDeleteI can get anything to shine!
DeleteAll that rubbing up and down of some precious and beautiful things - you are so not used to doing that, dear... Jx
ReplyDeleteWell, at least on some certain beautiful things....
DeleteVery purtiful!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, but I net all that stroking gave you a appetite
ReplyDeleteIt usually does.
DeleteGorgeous set; I'd like a little high tea and some low disco, however.
ReplyDeleteNow, it was made to be used as well as admired! Use it as often as you are able so subsequent polishings are less onerous!
ReplyDeleteOur thanks and appreciation to you mother for taking care of it in the interim.
I think your right. I would most definitely use it. Before I would use it regularly, it does need one more clean on the inside.....then you can come for tea and crumpets.
DeleteI tingle in anticipation of tasting your crumpets my dear.
DeleteWhat a magnificent silver set and family heirloom. It's really too beautiful to use - - but I'll be there for tea!
ReplyDeleteYou can sit on the davenport next to me.
DeleteThat set is beautiful, and I'd be delighted to join you for tea!
ReplyDeleteThe Mistress should consider using that fine family silverware to serve red wine and grapes in a Roman style orgy!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you think.
DeleteVery pretty, I agree with Mom, the older I get the less formal I am, I am going to part with the silver when we consolidate the house and the condo after J's retirement.
ReplyDeleteYes, my mother is not by any means old, but she has over the years downsized and cleaned things out. She fears I'll be stuck with it all. She we have really picked and choose what we want to keep.
DeleteRare indeed! I've never seen anything that ornate, and my first wife was very much into the silver, crystal, and china thing; which may explain our constant lack of money and high debt at the end of a 7 year marriage.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend, mistress. Don't forget the scones (biscuits) for tea!
We have plenty of all three to go through. I can only imagine the debt if she was a collector. YIKES!
DeleteThings you just don't see these days. It's like a Tiffany & Co store
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning set. I can remember when my grandparents were both gone, and we cleaned out the house and downsized, we got rid of things we probably shouldn't have. I wished we would have been more selective in keeping things. Just because we may not use them daily, we still need to cherish heirlooms.
ReplyDeleteStunning! I don't know the last time I saw a silver set.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I guess in our rushed lifestyles these days, people just don't take the time anymore to use such lovely things. A family treasure for sure...enjoy it.
ReplyDelete