Nothing sparkles up your Holiday Table like s i l v e r. Antique Silver.

{You knew I was going to say that, right?!}

Holiday tables....although they've been "set" many times, many ways...they're best when they have antique silver!

From breakfast with Santa, to a festive Christmas Day Brunch, and a Christmas Dinner, silver is always an exceptional and gracious way to set your table.

I'm always looking for exceptional silver serving pieces when I buy for the shop, and this latest antique buying trip in Europe was no exception. I have a few really wonderful but totally top-secret s e c r e t silver sources in Europe. I get asked often where I buy everything? If I told you, I'd have to swear you to secrecy. : )

I visited my favorite silver dealers and little shops, I always try to buy the very best, but also the most unusual pieces of silver for your collections.

Here is a photo I took of my ever patient John carrying boxes, bags and larger items carefully wrapped for taking back "home" to FrenchGardenHouse back and forth from the secret locations to the car.

Silver is always a jewel for your table! Here are a few of my very favorites and most unusual pieces currently available in the FrenchGardenHouse shop right now:

Exceptional, this Asparagus / Pastry/ Toast Server in silver is the epitome of sophistication for your collection of sterling silver. The quality of this fine design and the exquisite workmanship is typical of that of the finest luxury silver smiths in France such as Puiforcat, Soufflot, and Coignet. The curved blade has pierced and engraved designs of a flower basket with flowers and a French ribbon bow at the top.

A beautiful asset for any tea table, this early Silver Sugar Sifter Confection Spoon is exceptional and quite rare to find. Known as Saupoudreuse or Sugar Sifting Spoons, they are difficult to come by these days. This piece has an exquisite scalloped pierced bowl, and a hand carved handle patterned with elegant Louis XVI Rococo styling.

Sugar sifter spoons were created in the mid-18th century and are similar in form and size to sauce ladles, but with flattened bowl bases. The bowls were decorated with elaborate pierced patterns. I have bought several of these, they are beyond charming, and give elegance to any pancake and waffle breakfast set-up, or to use on the tea table. {Watch for more!}

I still have this one ice cream spoon set from a buying trip in the past in the shop -this late 19th century heirloom Belgian Silver and Vermeil Ice Cream or Dessert Set, so the centers of which are beautifully engraved with Aesthetic floral, foliage and bug motifs on a vermeil (gold-washed) background.

Ice cream was such an extravagance in the late 1800's early 1900's, and these beautiful sets of special "shovel" shaped spoons are always a treat to find, especially when they are in their original silk lined case.

I find this such a fun one! I bought this here in the states....this antique sterling silver and glass grated cheese shaker or server, with a beautiful decorative shape and "Grated Cheese" etched on the glass. A gracious way to serve parmesan cheese at your table, will make even pizza with the family an occasion.

From one of the prettiest silver plated tea sets I've seen, the graceful shapes are just so beautiful. Engraved with a stunning floral design, the water pitcher is shown below.

There is also a complete tea set in the same pattern, with a waste bowl, two pots, sugar and creamer.

These antique French sterling silver dessert sets are always on the top 5 of our list, it's one of the most requested pieces of silver our collector clients always ask for. And no wonder, not only are the beautiful, you can use them for h'ors d' oeuvres service, or dessert service.

Exceptional luxury quality, this beautiful four piece Hors d'Oeuvre or Dessert service was made by the prestigious silversmith Emille Puiforcat, 16 rue Chapon, Paris in 1860. Now owned by Hermes, Puiforcat is one of the handful of French silversmiths that have attained worldwide recognition for their long heritage, and their reputation for timeless patterns, heirloom investment quality, and unrivaled craftsmanship.

This antique 19th century Art Nouveau centerpiece is a rare and extraordinary piece. Beautifully decorative, the unusually large bowl is the shape of an egg, a favorite Victorian design element. The bowl is held up by three beautiful young maidens. Made with the highest quality of workmanship, the bowl is hand etched with a fruit berry design. The three stunning young ladies appear to be dancing.

Collectable pieces this size are almost impossible to obtain these days. Imagine this as the center of your holiday table, filled with fresh, fragrant greens and roses!

Silver is always in style. Debating about polishing will do you no good with me, silver is meant to be polished to gleam, glitter and glow! If you want to learn more about polishing your silver : HERE YOU GO >

SHOP SILVER >

WILL YOU BE ADDING SILVER TO YOUR HOLIDAY TABLE SETTINGS THIS SEASON?

à bientôt