SC Silver Displays

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in our town and I got to spend it with two of my favorite men, my husband and my youngest son wandering around the state museum.  There was a harvest festival at the museum with arts and crafts, BBQ, music and several special exhibits. 

Then as if that wasn't wonderful enough we spent the late afternoon and evening getting caught up in the excitement watching the game on TV as our Gamecocks defeated the #1 team in the country in the SEC!  Woohoo!   Anyone that knows me well, also knows I am not really a football fan, but I just had to give a quick shout out to our home team!  Go Cocks!!!  We have now pulled off a major trifecta win in 2010 defeating number #1 teams in the nation in basketball, baseball and now football!  Woohoo!  That's something to be proud of here and long awaited. Woot-woot!   

Now for those of you have patiently waited for me to return to my point let me show you a little surprise I found at the museum yesterday.  I had no idea this exhibit was there until I stumbled upon it.  I am thrilled to be able to share this with you  today for Silver Sunday.  I am sure you will enjoy this as much as I did.

Can you imagine how excited I was to find this room?  This exhibit is not a permanent display and is running only through January 2011.  It is a wonderful display of silver from several South Carolina families and collectors that shows the artistry and craftsmanship used in these beautiful pieces made between 1750-1935.

This is what I saw when I walked into this room.

I was so thrilled, but I was wishing I had much more time to linger in this room then I did.  By the time I found this room it was getting late and the men were ready to leave.  I got my camera out so I could enjoy it later again and again.  I wish I had time to read all the captions in each display but I didn't, so you will just have to enjoy these visually as I do not have much info to share with you.

These pitchers were the very first thing I saw when I knew my camera had to come out.  Aren't they just gorgeous?  I just love the rope detail of the handles.

There were several cases featuring older and more unusual flatware.

I do remember this was listed as a men's breakfast silver setting.  I am assuming for the finer gentlemen of the day.

Gorgeous soup tureen!

These two pieces were owned by a Georgia family who had some family with SC connections. 

I tried to photograph the Palmetto tree on the tops for you, please pardon the glare of the silver.

I was quite amazed to see that there are older pieces of silver where the Palmetto tree was attached.  It is our state tree and is quite popular amongst those who live here.  You can find it on just about everything!

This coffee pot really caught my attention with it's beautiful hand carved wooden handle.

This set was positively stunning!  I just adore the ornate design, I think it was from Charleston.

Just look at all that beautiful detail! Gorgeous, isn't it?

The following two photos were not part of the silver room but were in separate displays elsewhere in the museum.  They are permanent displays.

This was a set presented to a S.C. woman after the death of her husband, who was a Lt. Col. in the war. 

This beautiful piece was presented to Andrew Jackson from the women of S.C. after his win in the battle of New Orleans.  It had been willed by him back to the family of a SC soldier upon his death. 

I found it rather interesting how much silver was presented and even used back in the older days of history.  I am sure many of you who have collected silver for some time already knew that though.  Seeing these beautiful displays all together really brings home the history of silver in our state.

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure and stop by Silver Sunday for more beautiful posts of silver.

Thanks for visiting today!  Have a Blessed Sunday afternoon!

Mary