Old Friends  
4014f   On Hold

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These six matching spoons all measure 5 7/8" long, weigh 3.0 T. oz. the group, and have an Old English "K" monogram.

Very well crafted, they were made by James Watts, whose "horse head in a shield" emblem is imprinted on the otherwise plain backsides, with an engine turned and engraved bright cut design that is characteristic of mid 19th century silver from Philadelphia where Watts was located.

They are also stamped "Chas. Wendell" for the Chicago retailer who marketed these.

In superb... Click for details

Old Friends  
4010f   $95.00

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Generally attributed to Michael Gibney, the patent for this 1862 eponymously named pattern was apparently issued to Francis H. Gibney. In either case, it has long been identified as a Whiting design.

This matched 6 5/16" long, .9 T. oz., youth knife and 6" long, .8 T. oz., spoon are coin silver and may predate the Whiting association (later production was made to a sterling standard).

Each piece is stamped "W. Kendrick" for the Louisville, Kentucky, jeweler, with the spoon additionally... Click for details

Old Friends  
3996f   $240.00

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Born in 1790 in Middletown, Connecticut where he apprenticed and then established himself as a working silversmith, George Kippen relocated to Bridgeport, Connecticut circa 1815, in which city he entered into several partnerships (as well as with George Hoyt in Albany, New York), dying there in 1847.

These six, 5 5/8" long, 2.9 T. oz. the group, "Sheaf of Wheat" pattern spoons all bear his individual mark, "G. Kippen."

This design is rarely found in such exquisite condition, absent... Click for details

Old Friends  
3991f   $115.00

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An early design in the production history of Wood & Hughes, the "Leaf," often identified as a "Shell," pattern on this 9 3/8" long, 3.1 T. oz., fork dates to the mid 19th century.

A coin silver fish server, this has four, broad, tines, the outer two of which are splayed, with all surfaces including the pierced heel, densely engraved in a floral, leaf, and scroll motif.

The pattern is double die struck, meaning it appears on both the front and back sides of the handle.

The front shows... Click for details

Old Friends  
3989f   $26.00

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The Albany, New York partnership of Hall, Hewson & Brower has narrow dates spanning the few years either side of 1850, although the firm and the main principal, Walter S. Brower, have a history that encompassed most of the 19th century.

This 7 1/8" long, relatively weighty at 1.2 T. oz., coin silver place or dessert spoon is imprinted on the reverse with the firm's "HH&B" in a diamond along with an eagle mark.

A "Tipt" aka "Fiddle Tipt" design, it has an exposed drop on the bowl backside... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2409   $80.00

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Whitingham circa 1800, length 5 5/8 inches, total Troy weight .79 oz., very good condition, period script mono (obverse) and a slightly later one (reverse), marked as shown in third enlargement.

Notable as birthplace of Brigham Young, the town was a mere thirty years old when these spoons were made. We marvel a bit that such a small, rural spot could support its own silversmith, and can't help but suspect that he dabbled in other trades.

Old Friends  
3983f   $52.00

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One of two 9" long, just over 2.0 T. oz., table or serving spoons that are identical in every way, save one is marked for Horace Hinsdale, and one for the partnership of Taylor & Hinsdale, this has a "Shell" end handle and a second shell on the reverse heel of the bowl, as well as a large, feathered script "LC" monogram set sideways on the handle front.

Dating from the first third of the 19th century, the piece stamped "Hinsdale" also has a "bust, lion, G" pseudo-hallmark, while the "T&H" one... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190825-01   $120.00

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Offered is a lovely and very early European or colonial (e.g., Dutch New York) silver dognose tablespoon circa 1700-20, or perhaps a few years earlier or later. This piece measures about 7 7/8 inches in length and weighs about 30 grams. It is prick-engraved with a period set of owner's initials, and is marked with a poorly struck or rubbed mark on the handle near the bowl. Please scroll through the pics. There appears to be only the single mark, pointing to a potential colonial origin,... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190817-05   On Hold

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Offered is a lovely and early American coin silver teaspoon bearing one of the maker's marks used by noted Philadelphia silversmith John McMullin (1765-1843), who had a long and highly successful career. This piece dates to about 1800, but could be a few years earlier or later. It has a clear maker's mark and a well-executed period script monogram. It measures about 5 5/8 inches in length and weighs about 13 grams. Condition is very good overall, with no dents, splits or repairs and little... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2400   $350.00

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preserve spoon with gilt shell bowl, length 9 1/8 inches, excellent original condition, weight 2.01 Troy ounces, retailed by Larmour & Co. of Baltimore.

Though admittedly my memory is not what it used to be, I can't recall ever having owned an item in this pattern. It is a wonderful naturalistic form which Krider executed with the highest quality. We believe that the original cat tail and butterfly model was executed in clay, cut to create the flat side, then folded over (see arrow in... Click for details

Old Friends  
3926f   This item is currently being auctioned

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This 6" long, 1.3 T. oz., pair of coin silver tongs trace to Baltimore with an approximate 1830 date.

This information can be inferred from the marks, which are singular to Baltimore, and appear in an unusual combination on this particular item.

They include two "10.15" (coin) silver designations, one in italics, and the "head of liberty," used in conjunction with Baltimore assay marks beginning in 1815.

An essay in Maryland Silver published by the Baltimore Museum of Art... Click for details

Old Friends  
3914f   $55.00

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The Cincinnati Art Museum holds an essentially matching tablespoon to this 8 3/8" long, 1.2 T. oz., piece. The Museum's example is shown in Figure 81 of Cincinnati Silver 1788-1940.

Coin silver, this was made by Wilson McGrew, c. 1840-56, and carries his mark on the backside.

It has a pronounced "Fiddle" shaped handle with a "Tipt" end, and high, chamfered shoulders, all characteristic of silver style of this region and period.

It is engraved "Butterworth" in fine script... Click for details

Old Friends  
3906f   $52.00

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This 7 3/8" long, 1.2 T. oz., coin silver master butter spreader was made by "Duhme & Co.," Cincinnati's prominent 19th century silversmith and jeweler, and so stamped on the blade backside.

The pattern is "No. 1," introduced in 1869, and is characterized by a twisted stem with a flat, oval, handle, set in this instance at a right angle to the blade.

An online commentator notes that there are at least six "types" or variations of this design, seemingly the most common of which has a... Click for details

Old Friends  
3884f   This item is currently being auctioned

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Measuring 8 1/8" long and weighing 1.8 T. oz., this coin silver item has a generously sized, 2 1/2" diameter, shell-shaped, pierced, bowl and "Reverse Tipt" handle.

Generally identified as a large sugar sifter, there is some argument to be made that pieces this scale from this period were actually early ice spoons.

In either case, it is a fine representation of what it is.

It is stamped "R. Fisher, Jr." and "331 Broad Way, N.Y." on the reverse, for Richard Fisher, working 1846-50, also... Click for details

Old Friends  
3879f   $38.00

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Dating from the first quarter of the 19th century, this lengthy, 8 7/8", 1.5 T. oz., table serving spoon is marked "B. Swan," for Benjamin Moody Swan, who worked as a silversmith in Augusta, Maine beginning circa 1815.

Fiddle shaped, with a down turned, rounded end, and high, pointed and chamfered shoulders off the bowl, the piece demonstrates quality crafting.

It has a somewhat primitive, feathered script "RA" monogram engraved on the handle front, and remains in very fine condition.... Click for details

Old Friends  
3872f   $110.00

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Marked only "Coin," absent a maker's stamp, this 8 7/8" long, 2.0 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon with a twisted shank and engraved and engine turned, notched, handle is reminiscent of a die struck pattern named "Imperial" that was produced by both Gorham and Wood & Hughes about 1860.

It is a handsome item exhibiting sophisticated design and manufacturing processes.

The twist feature was a favored device in the period, as was the fine engine turned surface complimented by precise... Click for details