Flatware comes in various designs, including rattail, Greek, fiddle, Dubarry, scroll, and king patterns. Rattail is the simplest and oldest design, while the king pattern is the most intricate and reserved for special occasions. The shell pattern is a simpler version of the king pattern.
Flatware, also known as silverware, comes in many different designs. While simple, straight edges are popular, many people seek out more complicated designs to coordinate with dishes or dining room decor. Some of the many cutlery designs include the rattail, Greek, fiddle, dubarry, scroll, and king pattern.
One of the most common and simplest cutlery designs in rattail. This pattern appears as an upward curve — or tail — at the top of silverware handles, hence the term “rat tail.” Cutlery with a rattail pattern is usually left unadorned, without added lines and engravings. In addition to being one of the simplest, the rattail is also one of the oldest cutlery designs, with its origins dating back to the 1600s in England.
For a more linear design, cutlery models such as the Grecian can be chosen. The trapezoidal shape at the end of the handle usually distinguishes this design. It is said that this model evokes the forms of Greek architecture, in particular the Ionic type columns, in which the base is slightly wider. The Fiddle cutlery pattern is another clean design that features a larger handle in the shape of a violin or fiddle. Both of these designs are ideal for casual lunches and casual dinners.
One Victorian-inspired pattern is the Dubarry cutlery pattern, which dates back to the 18th century. The scheme was named after King Louis XV’s beloved courtesan, Madame DuBarry. Dubarry pattern cutlery features a diamond-shaped handle, with repeating lines running down the stem to emphasize the shape. Some Dubarry-inspired cutlery designs use soft, curved lines to create a smooth, flowing outline.
Another of the most popular cutlery designs is the scroll pattern, which mimics the spiral look of the roll. Usually, the pattern is composed of smooth, curved lines that have a spiral at each end. Silverware sets include this pattern on the handle, but serving spoon ladles also have the scroll pattern stamped into their concave head. For a more intricate design, the scroll pattern can also be combined with leaf and flower designs.
One of the most intricate and distinct cutlery designs is the King pattern. The pattern specifically uses honeysuckle flower images to decorate the handles, which are then shaped like an hourglass. Smooth, curved lines are added to enclose the honeysuckle. The queen pattern is a more decorative version of the king pattern, with more string lines to embellish the flower. Cutlery with this elegant pattern is often reserved for very special dinner occasions.
A similar, but simpler version of the King’s pattern is the shell pattern, as the shell image resembles honeysuckle when engraved on the handle. In the shell pattern, the embellishing lines are removed and only the shell remains. Shell engraving can also be carved into different cutlery designs, such as in the violin which has a wider handle.
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