Old Friends  
4067cf   $2,250.00

click for details

This set consists of a tea pot, a creamer, a sugar, and a hot water kettle on stand.

The style follows after late Federal period design, 1820-30, evident in the bulbous, melon shaped bodies standing on tiered feet. The pot has a serpentine spout.

Each item has a floral and oak leaf and acorn band around the shoulder area, applied gadroon rims on the top and bottom edges, a pomegranate finial, and ebony handles on the pots. The spouts are serpentine form with a split tongue opening.... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2413   $950.00

click for details

diameter, 8.5"; height .75"; weight 14.0 oz. Troy; a few minor scratches and dents but excellent overall condition, no monogram, marked as shown in fifth enlargement.

Some similarities such as the ring-matte chasing (see second photo) exist between this and China Trade items which were imported to Boston during an albeit slightly later time frame, (see Forbes, figures 41 and 153), which along with the four toed feet and overall chunky-ness of this item leads me to wonder if Messr's Welles... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2411   $1,250.00

click for details

Edward Holland Hastings was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on February 1, 1857.   This dramatic christening cup from the gentleman whom we presume to be his uncle, Edward M. Holland, presaged a distinguished career as owner and impresario.

After spending a year at Cambridge High School, he prepared for four years at Philip Academy in Exeter, NH.   Immensely popular with his schoolmates, he was elected class president  and entered Harvard upon graduation.   Illness prevented him from... Click for details

Old Friends  
3995f   $135.00

click for details

Catherine Hollan in Philadelphia Silversmiths dates the partnership of Allen Leonard & George Wilson to 1847-1853 and notes, "The firm specialized in card cases chased and engraved with a variety of famous building facades." Most notably, these facades were of castles, examples of which are pursued by collectors.

This 1 3/4" diameter, 1 1/4" tall, just over .8 T. oz., coin silver napkin ring is marked "L&W" for this pairing.

It is six-sided, with each side mounted with a raised... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2384   $7,500.00

click for details

retailed by Palmer and Newcomb, length overall 23 1/2 inches, each coaster eight inches in diameter, gross weight 47 Troy ounces, engraved with an old English "m" and the crest of the Muir family (please see fourth photo). Overall condition is superb, though we will mention that the wooden inserts are later made but period accurate replacements.

Known for his ecclesiastical silver, Cooper's work can be found in major museums, notably an enameled chalice and paten in Boston's Museum of... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2375   Sold

click for details

height 3 1/2: diameter 3 inches, weight 4.0 Troy ounces, excellent original condition, monogrammed "RCC Dec 30th, 1863".

The engine turned work on this mug is of above average quality.

Old Friends  
3715f   $285.00

click for details

This 3" high to the rim, 3 3/4" to the top of the handle, 2 5/8" top diameter, 4.3 T. oz., coin silver mug has identifiers that closely date it.

Stamped "Crosby & Brown" for the retailer that operated 1851-52, it is also imprinted "V.L.&B.," for significant Boston silversmith Vincent Laforme & Brother, active 1850-54.

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts holds a pitcher attributed to him, with extensive notes about the piece and maker available online, including this biographical detail,... Click for details

Old Friends  
3663f   $160.00

click for details

One of Gorham's earliest coin silver master salts, this is also an exceptionally fine example of the form.

Model number "18," as identified on the underside, along with the rare "left lion" version of Gorham's hallmark, the word "Coin," and the name of the retailer, "W.H. Talbot & Co.," (more commonly spelled "Talbott") of Indianapolis.

This is large, measuring 3" by 2 1/4" by 1 5/8" high, and robust weight at just over 2.4 T. oz.

These dimensions are all consistent with those offered... Click for details

Old Friends  
3661f   $135.00

click for details

This mug stands 3" to the top edge, 3 1/2" to the highest point of the handle, has a top opening 2 3/4" across, a rimmed foot that is 1 7/8" in diameter, and weighs 2.9 T. oz.

It has double marks, one of which is "WG&S" for William Gale & Son, and a second which is three part, one of which includes a diamond imprinted with the date "185x," with the final number obscured.

The form is octagonal, with a beaded edge top and beaded rim base. The sidewalls have a raised flower, leaf, and... Click for details

Old Friends  
3595f   On Hold

click for details

Larger than most examples of this form, this piece measures a full 12" from arm to arm, has a bowl 9" in diameter, stands 5" to the rim and 6" at the highest point of the arms, and rests on a pedestal base that is 4 5/8" across at the bottom. Commensurately heavy for its size, it weighs a substantial 21.4 T. oz.

A coin silver tazza or compote, it is essentially plain and clean-lined, save for the remarkably innovative and forward looking, cast and applied, solid, arms.

They feature two... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2337   On Hold

click for details

height 7 1/8 inches, weight 5.52 Troy ounces, fine condition, monogrammed as shown in third enlargement.

This mark is commonly given to Saunders Pitman, but we are not so certain that it is his. For example, though the Met attributes a cream jug in their collection (accession number 33.120.311) to Saunders, some might consider this attribution to be problematic, since he'd been dead for a good solid forty years when it was made.

Other reasonable possibilities would include John K.... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2323   $195.00

click for details

engine turned decoration and C scroll handle with integral cast floral support, height 4 3/4 to top and 5 3/4 inches across handle to spout, weight 6.92 Troy ounces, some minor dents and unhappy handle join (shown in fourth enlargement) but very good looking nonetheless. Engraved "Mary Mitlacker Brehme / From her Grandmother."

We have always been fond of Gorham's first high style designs, especially those in the manner of Mary Todd Lincoln's tea service.

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2320   $1,500.00

click for details

circa 1830,height 3 1/2; top diameter 3 1/4 inches, total Troy weight 13.47 ounces, some very minor dents but outstanding overall condition, monogrammed "AMC" in period script (please see fifth enlargement for mark and inscription.

With their band of cast applied grapes and elegant double molded rim, these are an outstanding example of the best American Empire era Philadelphia style. Better, we might add, than any beakers of this period which the PMA has on display or in their permanent... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2264   $350.00

click for details

Cornelia Anna Ritch (1847-1916) may well have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. We know for sure that at the age of six, she had a fine looking coin silver cup in her hand.

Her great great great grandfather, Henry Ritch, was among the original settlers of Greenwich, CT, having received a grant of three acres there on May 19th, 1686. Her family has always been among the town’s leading citizens, comprising notable attorneys, quarry owners, and the first successful oyster... Click for details

Old Friends  
3164mg   $365.00

click for details

Dating from 1866 as engraved on the sidewall below the name "C.E. Mathews.," this coin silver mustard pot was made by Gorham. That company's "standing lion, anchor, G" mark appears on the underside of the base, along with the model number "510."

It is a large, well-proportioned, and handsome item.

Standing 4 1/4" high, it rests on a pedestal base that is 2" in diameter. The maximum span to the end of the handle is approximately 3 1/4" and the weight is just above 4.5 T. oz.

The... Click for details

Old Friends  
3098f   This item is currently being auctioned

click for details

Measuring 6 1/2" in diameter and having a 3/4" wide, raised edge with a rim back, this plate is weighty at 5.2 T. oz.

It is stamped "Lincoln & Reed" for the Boston firm with dates 1838-48, and "Pure Silver Coin," which is a term typically used only in New England.

It is a thoroughly engaging period piece which takes its character from the delicate engraving on the top surface. The portraiture is of a wreath comprised of innumerable flowers that include among others, morning glories,... Click for details