What's What in Vintage Flatware

A guide to all those funny little flatware pieces

As you may know, we collect vintage flatware. And sometimes with those sets we buy, or boxes of knives, forks and spoons we find, there's a funny little piece that we've never seen before.  So we've become amateur sleuths, tracking down the purpose and name for each piece.  

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Sardine Server | Features short, wide tines ideal for serving sardines, anchovies, and other small bites.

Serving Fork | Think of this as your dinner party workhorse: an all-purpose piece that can be used for serving everything from sliced meats to roasted vegetables.

Baked Potato Fork | This is a fun one.  This fork is used only for lifting and serving baked potatoes.  In the 21st Century, we have no patience for such uni-taskers, but in the Victorian era, each morsel at the table had its own utensil.

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Toast & Pickle Forks | The toast fork has wide prongs  to pierce and serve toast—but we won’t tell if you use it for something else.  The pickle fork has three sharp prongs for spearing pickles or other like items.  

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Toddy Ladle | This piece is something an artisan bartender might pull out.  Sometimes a toddy ladle has a spout, sometimes it doesn't but it is always small enough to pour a bar-sized portion into a glass.

Soup Ladle | This large serving ladle is typically paired with a tureen and used for serving soup.  



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Sauce Ladle |  Appropriate for serving all types of sauces, from creams to au jus, this particular style features a hook beneath the handle that helps the spoon rest upright.