Silver September: Moments Of Silver
In this final installment of Silver September, we asked our EBTH family to share personal memories, moments, and stories behind the silver items that carry more than just their weight in sterling.
“My grandmother has four grandchildren (including me) and four silver bowls that she inherited from her grandmother. The bowls were made during the 1920s in Venice, and are comprised of silver coins she collected in Cyprus. I received one of the bowls as a wedding gift recently – so I hope I didn’t just ruin the surprise for my cousins!” – Ali P.
“When I was little, I was transfixed by this silver pendant my grandma always wore around her neck – it was plain, except for a dent in the metal. I would sit in her lap and rub it in my hand until it got warm. When I was 18, she gave the necklace to me and told me that the dent was from her biting it when she got nervous.” – Aydan P.
“If you haven’t, you must try drinking milk out of a silver julep cup. My mother retrieved and polished these, each Thanksgiving and Christmas. They gleamed in the candlelight and developed a wonderful moisture beaded surface. The milk was chilled and tasted .925 % better!” – Frank M.
“When I was in high school, Tiffany jewelry was very popular and I had to have the collar tag necklace – the one that said ‘Return To Tiffany’. I remember on school portrait day a girl in my class forgot to wear hers and asked to borrow mine. We all had them!” – Alexis J.
“I’m getting married in three weeks and plan on hosting my family and my new in-laws for a dinner in our home before the wedding. We want to give our two families the opportunity to get to know each other before we officially bind us all together forever. My grandmother won’t be able to make the trip from Oklahoma to California, so we will be using the silverware she passed down to me to honor her and have her there in spirit.” – Meghan S.
Vintage Lunt Sterling and Black Nylon Flatware in the "Contrast" Pattern
Towle "Grand Duchess" Sterling Silver Flatware Set
Assortment of International Silver Co. Sterling Flatware in the "1810" Pattern
Wallace "Rose Point" Sterling Silver Flatware for Twelve
“My grandfather, who was part Cherokee Indian, ran the Carson Trading Post in Northern Nevada in the 1950s. In addition to items like handcrafted baskets, Native American dresses, moccasins, and pottery, they sold beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry. When my grandfather passed away, I received the most beautiful Squash Blossom necklace that he had kept when he closed the business. It is one of my most treasured pieces – both as a reminder of him and of his heritage.” – Andrea S.
“When I think of silver I think of polishing. Before Christmas brunches or dinners where we host extended family, my mom — a do-it-yourself kind of woman— tasks me with polishing the silver candlesticks for the center of the holiday spread. It’s hard to polish silver! I’ve learned it requires a lot of muscle and stamina, but it also makes me appreciate how much work goes into keeping a piece pristine. It makes me appreciate my mother — a tireless, resourceful host — and reminds me that the work that goes into entertaining is always worth it.” – Molly C.
“I love to give small sterling gifts to special people in my life to let them know that, like this metal, they are precious to me. This past year I gave my daughter a key fob made from a vintage sterling spoon, just to let her know that I had missed her while traveling. Sterling silver is timeless.” – Jacquie D., EBTH Founder
