SEY
CATERING
SERVICE
of your wedding.
-with portraits.
ples and wedding albums.
Classic — it’s a word
heard by the bride and
groom-to-be at least once a
day. But classic has an
important meaning for young
couples happily facing a long
life together, especially when
it comes to table-top furnish-
ings. The china, crystal and
silverware patterns they
choose at the beginning of
that life will last for many
years beyond.
** How can we tell whether
or not a pattern is classic?’’
That question is often asked
of bridal registrars by young
couples. Veronica Williams,
the bridal consultant for
Reed & Barton Silversmiths,
explains.
‘A classic pattern is one
that never goes out of style.
The shell, the acanthus leaf,
the ‘ Chippendale flair’ — all
these designs have survived
their initial period of popular-
ity for decades and even cen-
turies.
‘Some of them are given
modern interpretations,
while others, like that of
‘Winterthur,” Reed & Bar-
ton’s newest silverplated
flatware pattern, are repro-
ductions of pieces from
famous museums and
antique collections.
*“‘Winterthur’ is a good
example of the way a classic
design lives on,” says Mrs.
Williams. ‘The fiddle
shaped handle is reproduced
from an early nineteenth
century fork on display in
Henry Francis Du Pont’s
renowned Winterthur
Museum collection.
*‘Similar patterns, using
the shell motif, have been
popular in silver work since
the early 1700s. And Reed &
Barton has consistently used
the shell in at least one of its
flatware patterns for almost
one hundred years.
‘Many couples are afraid
of the word ‘reproduction,’
remarks Mrs. Williams.
“They think it means some-
thing cheap or poorly made.
The truth is, if they spend a
tion, they can be assured of a
classic.”
Mrs. Williams offers a few
hints to young couples
selecting a flatware pattern:
® Preferences. Decide
first if you like intricate,
or simple, elegant lines.
Does your pattern choice
blend well with your china
and crystal preferences?
® Authenticity. Most clas-
sic patterns are based on
designs first introduced cen-
turies ago. Modem versions
of these patterns should be
accurate in their portrayal of
the originals.
® Detail. Any flatware
pattern, from stainless to
sterling, should be finely
detailed. Look carefully at
individual pieces in the pat-
terns you like. Are the shells
or roses well-defined?
Are handles evenly
formed and fork tines
smooth and straight? If the
handle is outlined with a
thread or beading, is it strong
and evenly placed along the
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