Old Friends  
3511f   On Hold

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An early example of the "English King" pattern, this piece is marked "Tiffany & Co.," "Sterling," "Pat. 1885," and "M."

It is a 5 3/4" long, weighty at .9 T. oz., all silver, individual butter spreader.

The design is double sided, with a shell embellishment added to the backside of the blunt-end blade.

There is a delicate script "FTL" monogram on the handle front.

It is in excellent estate condition, retaining clear pattern detail that is free of polishing wear. The blade remains... Click for details

Old Friends  
3510f   On Hold

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Solid silver with a flat handle, this fish knife (which could also be used for butter or a spread) measures 7 1/8" long and weighs just over 1.3 T. oz.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. 78" are imprinted on the backside of the blade, the pattern is "Hindostanee."

A Moorish design, it features a dense ground of stylized palmetto leaves and scrolls on a rounded handle front and nearly plain backside.

There is a shield-shaped reserve area that in this... Click for details

Old Friends  
3509f   $70.00

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One of the major names in 19th century San Francisco silver manufacturing, Koehler & Ritter produced several full line patterns, holloware, and even some monumental individual items (see Silver in the Golden State).

This pair of 7 3/8" long, 2.8 T. oz. combined, coin silver forks are examples of the firm's "Alameda" aka "Ivy" design.

Similar in style to Gorham's Greek Revival "Corinthian" of the same c. 1870 period, it is more embellished than that pattern, with added ivy sprays... Click for details

Old Friends  
3508f   On Hold

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A truly exotic pattern, Tiffany's "Lap Over Edge" is really a family of designs with almost endless variations.

It was offered as a plain line, with acid etched motifs, and finally in mixed metals.

This example, a long handle, 8 3/8", nearly 1.1 T. oz., olive spoon, features a bird aloft an array of grasses that rise up along the length of the slender handle.

The degree of detail and imagination expressed in these designs is remarkable, illustrated in this instance by the fact that the... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20180520-01   $75.00

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Offered is a lovely and well-preserved Ivy pattern pierced ladle with gilt bowl, by Henry Hebbard (patented circa 1865) and later Whiting. This piece dates to the first years of the sterling era, probably around 1865-75. It measures about 6 3/8 inches in length and weighs about 40 grams. The only marks are the patent date mark and a sterling mark, as this piece seems not to have made it to sale by a retailer. This piece was never engraved with a monogram or crest - perhaps it was taken home... Click for details

Old Friends  
3507f   $48.00

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A novel design generated by George Shiebler and often, as is the case with this example, marked with an "H.S. & Co." retailer's stamp, this spoon features the high relief portraiture of a nutmeg and leaves on the handle, along with a bowl that is a full representation of the whole seed.

The backside of the handle is smooth, while the bowl is textured both sides and finished in a gold wash on the interior.

Described variously as a demitasse, salt, or other spoon, given what it portrays it... Click for details

Gebelein  
5406   $460.00

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By journeyman U. Edge and top divided into 7 segments. Diameter 7". Base diameter 3". Height 2-1/2". Weight 10-3/4 troy ounces. No monogram. Overall and mark condition are excellent.

Gebelein  
5405   $400.00

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Outflaring at top edge. Relatively vertical sides. Applied base ring. Diameter of top 4-1/2". Diameter of base 2-3/4". Height 2-3/8". Weight 7.85 troy ounces (heavy). No monogram. Overall and mark condition are excellent.

Old Friends  
3505f   $36.00

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This 5 3/4" long, weighty feel at .9 T. oz., teaspoon is an early example of Durgin's "Dauphin" pattern, as indicated by the "Faber 1899" engraved on the reverse in fancy, period lettering.

It remains in excellent condition. The high relief rose pattern retains clear, precise, detail front and backsides, and on the reverse heel of the bowl.

The bowl remains well-shaped and free of tip wear. There is one faint pinprick dimple in the base. The finish is bright and warm.

Marks are the... Click for details

Old Friends  
3504f   $46.00

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A fully authentic item, that is, not made up or adapted from another piece, this butter pick measures 6 3/8" long and weighs approximately .6 T. oz.

It is an early example of Durgin's 1910 "Fairfax," marked with the company "D" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat'd."

It has a fancy script "F" monogram on the handle front, and a pierced and twisted single tine end that is finished in a gold wash.

A lesser common piece in the "Fairfax" line, this is in immaculate condition, showing no signs of... Click for details

Old Friends  
3503f   $95.00

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Boston's Tuttle Silver Company followed the custom of marking its silver with the initials of the sitting US President inside a crescent. Thus the "JFK" that appears on this indicates it was made during the tenure of John F. Kennedy (1961-63).

Other marks include the company name, the word "Sterling," and the model number "310,"

Solid silver, it is a combined single and double shot jigger that stands 3 3/16" high and weighs a robust 2.0 T. oz.

Having smooth, tapered sides, one end is 1... Click for details

Old Friends  
3502f   $215.00

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A form dating from the middle of the 19th century, this item is likely an early ice cream or pudding spoon.

Weighing over 2.5 T. oz., it measures 9 1/2" long overall, and has an oversized bowl that is 4" by 2 3/4" by 1/2" deep.

It was made by Boston's Newell Harding company, whose name along with the New England term "Pure Coin" appears on the handle reverse.

The pattern is a "Grape" that is associated with this company.

The bowl exhibits extraordinary refinement in its intricately... Click for details

Old Friends  
3501f   $72.00

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Unger Brothers of Newark, New Jersey, produced a series of exceptional Art Nouveau designs that possess dreamlike or mystical qualities, among which is "Dawn," shown on this 5 7/8" long, nearly 1.0 T. oz., teaspoon.

In their entirety, the series incorporates female figures, fairies, cherubs, and flowers. This example features the profile of a young woman set against a poppy blossom, with a second blossom gracing her hair.

It is a compelling pattern that has only gained in allure since it... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2322   $110.00

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height 2; top diameter 1 3/4 inches, weight 2.4 Troy ounces, no monogram, marked as shown in third enlargement, some very minor insults to foot but fine overall condition.

As mentioned elsewhere on these pages, Porter's work is of inconsistent quality. Here, the soldering is a bit sloppy and the hammering is rather random. So let's just consider that part of the charm, if we may.

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2321   Sold

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4 1/8 X 2 3/8 X 3/8 inches, weight 2.53 oz. Troy, no monogram, one corner is bruised, there is a split to seam (see fifth enlargement) and the hinge is slightly ajar, but the lid closes well and overall condition is fine.

With faux alligator skin, and applied silver matte finish "calling card."

Old Friends  
3496f   On Hold

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This 7 1/4" long, 1.0 T. oz., circa 1875, cream ladle documents the evolution of American silver craft into a high art form as the 19th century progressed.

The motif is a lotus blossom, fully developed in the 1 5/8" diameter, 1" deep, bowl, complimented by a triplet of lotus leaves surmounting the handle.

That simple descriptive, however, scarcely encompasses the delicacy and subtlety with which the piece is imbued.

The blossom, for example, has fully articulated petals with sawtooth... Click for details