Found | Silverplate Flatware

dwell

Aug 10

The teaspoons had been disappearing from the flatware drawer. Over the course of a handful of years, off they’d gone to who knows where (I have a strong suspicion that boys were involved). It becomes a problem when finally there are only three remaining and an unlucky someone has to use a big spoon for spooning his cereal or stirring honey into her tea.

I could have sleuthed around for replacement spoons in the same discontinued Dansk pattern we had, but then I found out that not a single person in our household liked it. Fork tines too long, spoons too big, etc.

Well now, if ever there was a golden opportunity, this was it. Finally, my silent dream of replacing what we had with vintage silverplate flatware would come true.

I went straight to Ebay and began sifting through all the choices: too elaborate, too retro, too few pieces. Then, I saw these. A simple yet elegant design that had the quiet delight of a monogram, which happened to be the first two letters of our Irish last name. (If that doesn’t feel like a gift!) I then searched for teaspoons in the same pattern, because obviously, we would need more than enough teaspoons. Sure enough, I found a listing for two (not monogrammed, but delightfully imprinted on the back with the words: Key Biscayne Hotel).

For the past couple weeks, the gentle patina of this silverplate flatware has been gracing our table. How could something so basic, so utilitarian, so ordinary, be such a delight? I’ve no idea. But somehow it is. A simple art form in our everyday life.