| SM Publications |
| Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver. |
| SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales |
|
|
|
|
The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993 Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !! General Silver Forum
|
| REGISTER (click here) |
How to Post Photos
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 General Silver Forum
 mystery sugar sifter
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: mystery sugar sifter |
|
rian Posts: 169 |
posted 03-22-2006 10:29 AM
  
[26-0968 01-2856] The discussion of sugar in the coin silver forum reminded me of this sifter. I bought it a few years ago as a wedding present but found out that what was wanted was what I would have called a sugar castor or shaker. It wound up in my desk drawer by default. It is almost 6 inches long and the bowl is about 2 inches wide. It is heavy and sturdy enough that I would feel comfortable using the flat bottom to crush lumpy sugar to be scooped up and sifted onto my oatmeal. I've only seen one other like it, English, heavy and plain, and the dealer said that it was made in the early 1800s. The "sterling" makes me feel confident that this is American. Since there is no sign of a mark and no place for one to hide, I concentrated on the laurel wreath engraving. I found a match on a teaspoon identified as Regal and clearly marked for the Newburyport Silver Company. Short-lived, early 1900s Keene, New Hampshire is all I know about them. Is anyone familiar with this silver company? Would they have sold un-trademarked silver? Is this a common form for an English sugar sifter? IP: Logged |
|
obnock Posts: 27 |
posted 03-22-2006 02:08 PM
Whilst I have no great knowledge, I am certain I have never seen this type of handle on any English cutlery. One can often date English silver not only by the hallmarks but by the style of spoon handles from the early "acorn knop" through to the "rat tail" of the early 18th century and now the more common "kings, queens,fiddle and old English" which are still being produced today. I cannot identify your handle pattern from any of my reference books. One thing that is noteworthy, the bowl and handle look to be joined/soldered, this is unusual for English sifters, there would usually be no obvious join. I do like the quatrefoil sifter holes,this makes this spoon unusual. IP: Logged |
|
rian Posts: 169 |
posted 03-22-2006 05:24 PM
I'm sure that you are right, obnock. I'm embarassed to say that I really don't remember the handle of the English sifter, other than that it had some sort of family crest engraved on it. The likeness to mine was in the heft of the piece and the angle of attachment of the handle to the bowl, but mostly in the flat bottom of the bowl. American pieces seem to have more deeply curved bowls and to be more ornate, less business-like, though I know from reading past threads on this subject that there is some difference of opinion on what constitutes a sugar sifter. IP: Logged |
|
Primroy Posts: 42 |
posted 05-12-2007 12:22 AM
I have heard this handle shape called Celtic or English Pointed. I have an Old English (Were sugar sifters around in the 18th century? ) sifter dating to 1766 that also has a hefty handle, presumably for crushing sugar as you suggest. IP: Logged |
|
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 05-14-2007 01:59 PM
I cannot imagine using the bowl of any such thing to crush lumps of sugar...if you had a piece like this you would have had servants to crush the sugar for you. You all sure this isn't a tea strainer? IP: Logged |
|
doc Posts: 728 |
posted 05-14-2007 02:36 PM
Having spent some time on a replacement service website, it appears that your item is a separate pattern, not Regal, which is identified on this site as NEBS5. On the list of items offered in another Newburyport pattern, there is both a large and a small sugar sifter spoon (unfortunately, no sketch or photograph), so I think it is likely that this item is a sugar sifter. IP: Logged |
|
rian Posts: 169 |
posted 05-15-2007 02:20 PM
Ulysses, sometimes sugar needs to be beaten into submission at the point of use. My grandmother used her best sugar bowl only on special occasions. Since the bowl was covered, she didn't always change the sugar between times. That sugar was like cement. Luckily I never damaged bowl or spoon before I learned to drink unsweetened tea. Thanks for the information, doc. And Primroy, I've enjoyed looking at the pictures and reading about your sifter. IP: Logged |
|
DB Posts: 252 |
posted 05-15-2007 04:44 PM
But sugar does dissolve in water, so no need to get brutal with your grandma's treasure. IP: Logged |
|
rian Posts: 169 |
posted 05-15-2007 07:24 PM
It was almost impossible to get any sugar out, Dorothea. When I told one of my boys this story, he said that I should have just poured my tea into the sugar bowl and used it as a cup. IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |
