Thanksgiving Day: Make Somebody Smile

It's a shame we don't celebrate Thanksgiving Day here in the UK, I'd love any excuse for my mum to cook a big turkey for dinner, with plenty of stuffing, to have all of the family together at a time other than the stressful event that is Boxing Day in our household.

An Antique Irish Sterling Silver Sauceboat

The History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is now observed on the fourth Thursday in November (in the USA, Canada celebrates on the second Monday in October), to celebrate the end of the harvest, however the date of celebration has varied over the decades. It is said that the festivities originated back in the 17th century when a group of pilgrims treacherous journey from England to the travelled the USA, suffering from dreadful ailments such as scurvy and exposure. Only half of the 102 pilgrims survived their first year in Plymouth, Massachusetts, but the ones who lived shared an autumn feast in celebration of their first harvest since arriving in the 'New World'.

An Antique Sterling Silver Chafing Dish

Thanksgiving Traditions

Giant golden birds on silver platters, bowls of carrots and corn, big silver jugs of grandma's best lumpy gravy and a huge pot of pumpkin soup. Thanksgiving is an important holiday for many Americans and it is said that as many as 100 million families across the USA will be gathering today for a feast, and more importantly to give thanks and praise for their meal. Today, President Barack Obama has gone beyond the presidential tradition of 'pardoning' a turkey (saving it from becoming part of the feast) and spared a second bird, naming the fowl "Peace" and "Liberty". A small gesture that has an extremely significant meaning.

A Personal Thanksgiving

Even though we don't traditionally observe Thanksgiving Day here in the UK, I still make sure I put on my extra beaming smile and make an effort to say thank you to anyone I may encounter. You never know whose day you might be brightening up! What will you do today make somebody smile?

Maker(s) of the Month: The Langlands

With the upcoming launch of the new acsilver.co.uk website, the team have been passing around fresh ideas for our weekly blog. One of the suggestions, a 'Maker of the Month' section, gave us some exciting ideas. I hereby introduce you to the first 'Maker of the Month' blog post!

The Langlands are a renowned family of silversmiths who operated of out Dean Street in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, for around 60 years. Their family included John Langlands I and his son, John Langlands II. Later Dorothy Langlands, the wife of John Langlands II, would also take part in the business.

A set of Antique Spoons by John Langlands

John I

As apprentices of the famous silversmith Isaac Cookson, John Langlands I and John Goodrick took over Cookson's business and continued to manufacture a moderate range of silverware upon his death. After the death of Goodrick in 1757, John Langlands took up a partnership with John Robertson I until two years after Langlands death when the partnership was dissolved.

John II

Langlands' son, John Langlands II, took ownership of his father's business and continued to produce a high level of silverware until his death in 1804.



A Set of Antique Sterling Silver Spoons by Dorothy Langlands

Dorothy Langlands

As John Langlands II's widow, Dorothy maintained a flourishing business for ten years after her husband's death, until she took retirement in 1814.

Female Silversmiths

Women often began working in their fathers workshops from a young age, usually until marriage. Upon marriage, the woman's individual identity would be lost in a partnership with her husband, until his death. As a widow, she would have the opportunity to use her own mark, and succeed her husband in the business.

November Birthstone: Find Warmth This Winter

A set of coloured topaz stones

"Who first comes to this world below

In dreary November's fog and snow,

Should prize the topaz amber hue,

Emblem of friends and lovers true."

Introducing the November Birthstone

November is here, and as the icy weather begins to redden our noses and ears, we have to find warmth from other elements than the weather. As the poem suggests, the birthstone of November is topaz. The topaz stands for loyalty, friendship and happiness, representing the warmth we find in our friends and family when the weather turns cold.

The History of the Topaz

Topaz can be found in a variety of colours, this its history is difficult to track. At one point it was believed that topaz was first found on the ancient island of "Topazos", however the stone in question is now thought to have been a different gemstone of a similar colour to that of amber coloured topaz. Many modern English translations of the Bible mention topaz in reference to a stone in the Hoshen (a sacred breastplate worn by the High Priest of the Israelites in ancient times): "And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle (Garnet to us): this shall be the first row."

Locating and Identifying Topaz

W3490: Contemporary Diamond and Topaz Ring

Topaz can be found all over the world, in countries such as Norway, Pakistan, Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the USA to name a few! Pure, flawless topaz is colourless, found most commonly in Brazil, however impure stones can be seen in fantastic colours of blue, brown, orange, grey, yellow, green, pink and red.

The Properties of the Topaz

W3605: An Antique Topaz & Pearl Bangle

The traditional metaphysical properties of the November birthstone are strength, releasing tension and balancing emotions, three things... which definitely come in handy during the stressful winter / Christmas period!

Remember, Remember to embrace November...

Candlesticks to shed a little light on these dark winter nights

'No sun - no moon!

No morn - no noon -

No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day.

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,

No comfortable feel in any member -

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! -

November!'

Or so the famous poem goes… Well, no offence to Mr Hood but I beg to differ, November is all about lights. Yes the nights may be drawing in, but November is the month for bonfires, fireworks and for the spirit of Christmas, albeit slightly prematurely, to start to make its presence felt.

So enough with the somber mood, summer is over, and unless we intend to emigrate us Brits are going to have to jolly well get used to it. But rather than grinning and bearing it, this year I intend to make the most of the dark nights, creating a cosy little nest in which to hibernate in! There very few better ways to do this than a blazing log fire and flickering candlelight. These small touches can completely alter the atmosphere of a room, creating an inviting, cosy ambience to snuggle up in.

AC Silver has a fantastic range of fine candlesticks and candelabra, so whether you are decorating your dining table or mantelpiece we have the ideal candleholder to help you embrace these chilly winter nights.

W4678: A pair of antique George V English sterling silver three light candelabra

W3447: An antique George III English sterling silver cast candlestick by Paul Storr

W3974: A pair of antique Chinese Export Silver two branch candelabra