Old Friends  
5309f   $110.00

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A pattern for which John Polhamus and Henry Hebbard, who worked individually and in a short-lived partnership in New York City in the mid 19th century, held a joint patent, Oriental was a favored design for marketing by Tiffany in its early years.

The dies for the pattern were eventually acquired by George Shiebler, who extended production subsequent to all these antecedent firms.

These four, matching, 6" long, 3.2 T. oz. the group, teaspoons are older pieces, marked "H.H." for... Click for details

Old Friends  
5306f   $46.00

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An early production piece, this 6 1/8" long, 1.1 T. oz., sugar spoon in Frontenac is stamped with the "Indian head" emblem of the Simpson, Hall, Miller division of International Silver, along with "Pat." and "Sterling."

The design is Art Nouveau in manner and portrays lily blossoms on the slightly upturned handle, front and back, as well as on the interior shoulders of the sinuous, shell-shaped, bowl.

The detail of the work is precise and rendered in relief.

Never... Click for details

Old Friends  
5298f   On Hold

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A multi-motif line, George Shiebler's 1902 Fiorito portrays a variety of flowers interpreted in an Art Nouveau manner.

This example is a 5 3/4" long, .5 T. oz., bon bon representing a clematis.

A fully open blossom appears on the handle end, while the portraiture is repeated in the entirety of the 2" by 1 3/4", nearly round, reticulated and undulating, bowl that has a pale gold wash finish front and back sides.

Never monogrammed or inscribed, this is in flawless condition,... Click for details

Old Friends  
5289f   $80.00

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Solid silver, this piece measures 7 3/4" long and weighs a substantial 1.83 T. oz.

A master butter knife, the handle and broad blade with a scalloped upper edge are joined at a right angle.

The pattern is Luxembourg made by George Shiebler, whose "winged S" emblem and the word "Sterling" are imprinted on the blade, along with "1885" and "Patented" on the handle.

The handle is splayed and incorporates three raised channels with rounded ends. These are decorated with a varied of... Click for details

Old Friends  
5285f   $46.00

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A 6 7/8" long, .9 T. oz., piece, this fully original olive spoon is marked with the "helmet over shield" emblem of International Silver Company, along with "Sterling."

The pattern is Margaret Old issued in 1907, preceding Margaret New, introduced in 1912.

Both patterns are identical save the earlier one includes a design detail at the join between the handle and bowl, tine, or serving end, while the later pattern is plain in the same area.

The straightforward pattern shows... Click for details

Old Friends  
5279dd   $165.00

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Generally identified as a macaroni server, the pronged edge with pierced bowl form of this 9" long, 2.4 T. oz., solid silver spoon also follows after what are described as fried oyster or simply entree servers.

While broadly similar, there is considerable individualization among these types of pieces from maker to maker and pattern to pattern. Invariably, though, they one of the more interesting and dramatic servers in any line.

The pattern on this, Argo, was introduced by J.B. &... Click for details

Old Friends  
5271f   $38.00

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Stamped with Durgin's early "bird surrounded by a wreath" emblem, and the word "Sterling, this 7 3/8" long, approximately 1.0 T. oz., master butter knife dates circa 1880 and reflects the naturalistic Aesthetic (also Eastlake) design sensibilities of its period.

It has a rounded end handle that gently curves upward from the flat blade. The front is engraved in a dense leaf design.

The blade, which has notched shoulders with a scalloped upper edge, is engraved with... Click for details

Old Friends  
5265f   $385.00

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Gorham produced a line of specialty, cast, flatware, pieces of which were identified by a number preceded by an H designation. Items included large and small bon bons as well as a series of exceptionally large serving spoons, and perhaps other items.

This example is model number H156, as identified on the backside, which is also stamped with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling." Immensely scaled, it measures 10 1/4" long and weighs an exceptionally heavy 5.5... Click for details

Old Friends  
5263f   $55.00

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Measuring 8 3/16" long and weighing approximately 1.3 T. oz., this lettuce fork is more substantial than most examples of this form, which tend in general to be delicately scaled.

The pattern, Altair by Watson, dating from 1904, is broadly rococo in manner. Named for a star, and having Arabic roots meaning "flying eagle," the design possesses a celestial quality to it, resembling perhaps a cosmic cloud.

The tines, two of which are splayed and one barbed, are relatively wide and... Click for details

Old Friends  
5251f   $185.00

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A spectacular example of pattern and form preserved in impeccable condition, this solid silver cake saw measures 10 3/4" long and weighs 2.8 T. oz.

Made by Wood & Hughes, the pattern is Viola, issued in 1875. The design incorporates an arch, palmettos, anthemia, and scrolling, drawing together Greek, Egyptian, and Gothic Revival elements in a successful amalgamation of period motifs.

The handle front incorporates an elegant, engraved, Victorian style, "OR" or "RO" monogram.

The... Click for details

Old Friends  
5249f   $115.00

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An early piece marked on the inside of one leg with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted," this pair of tongs measure 5 1/4" long and weigh a substantial 1.55 T. oz.

Introduced in 1883, the pattern is Cluny, which is one among the many enduringly appealing lines originated by Gorham's renowned designer Antoine Heller.

The pattern features dense, high relief, floral elements with rosette and palmetto accents, set on a three-lobed handle end.

The grips... Click for details

Old Friends  
5244f   $42.00

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Made by Reed & Barton and akin to the company's Harelquin line of flower designs, this orange or grapefruit spoon has a cast handle with a narrow, branch-like stem.

An older piece, it is marked with R&B's "eagle, R, lion" emblem and the word "Sterling."

Measuring 5 3/8" long and weighing .6 T. oz., the pattern is an Orange or Orange Blossom, interpreted in something of an Art Nouveau manner.

Strongly naturalistic and intricately detailed, the fruit is round and full... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2489   $78.00

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length 8 3/4 inches, fine condition, a discrete three letter script monogram (reverse) as shown in second enlargement, retailed by Boston's own late lamented and very elegant Bigelow Kennard Co.

At 2.85 Troy ounces, this has a wonderfully "heavy in the hand" quality. A fine, old, New England pattern, Newport Shell will blend in harmoniously with any distinguished table setting.

Old Friends  
5224f   $175.00

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Note: while the above image shows six of these forks, this listing is actually for eight identical, all original, pieces.

Made by Frank Whiting, this set of forks is marked with the company's "W in a circle" emblem, "Sterling," and the number "2" on the backsides.

Measuring 5 3/4" long each and weighing 4.0 T. oz. the group, they are oyster, shrimp, or seafood cocktail forks.

Each piece has three tines, one of which is hooked, all joined to cupped heels with subtly notched... Click for details

Old Friends  
5214f   $22.00

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Offered in both sterling silver and silver plate, Harlequin was a floral series issued by Reed & Barton and generally made in a variety of generally smaller items.

These seven, 4" long, 2.35 T. oz. the group, coffee or demitasse spoons are early pieces marked with the company's "eagle, R, lion" (later items are stamped "Reed & Barton") along with "Sterling."

Cast rather than die struck, they are highly textured, possess intricate detail, and show a soft gray finish on the silver.... Click for details

Old Friends  
5202f   $46.00

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A 6" long, just under 1.0 T. oz., item, this ladle has a bowl that measures 2" in diameter and is 1/2" deep.

It is a cream or sauce ladle in Whiting's Heraldic, which apropos of the pattern name, is dominated by the image of a medieval helmet set at the top of the handle. The remainder of the design incorporates a dense array of high relief, scrolling acanthus leaves.

The bowl on this is the fancier of two that Whiting used for this line. It has a scalloped rim and raised, leafy... Click for details