Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2515   $75.00

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engraved "Mary from Jennie / Dec 25/70", height 1 3/8; diameter 1 3/4 inches, weight 1.20 Troy ounces, fine condition, marked "S360" as shown in fourth enlargement.

We love that this was a Christmas gift from one woman to her friend, and also that the item is dated (presumbably from year of manufacture) 1870. If you're thinking that it might be nice to have a collection of napkin rings, this would be a great place to start!

Old Friends  
5418f   $95.00

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Measuring 5 3/4" long each, and weighing 4.6 T. oz. the group, these solid silver oyster aka shrimp or seafood cocktail forks are all stamped with Gorham's "anchor, lion, G" emblem and "Sterling."

The pattern is Antique, issued in 1875. Akin to Old English, it has a rounded end with a tipt backside attached to a narrow shank.

There are three tines on each of these pieces, the lower one of which is hooked and wider than the other two.

In choice estate condition and never... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2514   $125.00

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length 6 3/4+ inches, total Troy weight 5.83 ounces, no monogram, stunning original condition, marked as shown in fourth enlargement.

Old Friends  
5417f   $75.00

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Standing 1 3/4" tall and 1 3/4" in diameter, this 1.3 T. oz., sterling silver napkin ring is a relatively large item.

It is marked "S 135" on the interior, which designator is thought to have been used by Wood & Hughes, New York City.

Dating circa 1880, it has a flat walled body with top and bottom rims. These are bordered by a repeating design that is in the manner of a Vitruvian scroll.

Apropos of its period, the sides are engraved in an Aesthetic design that features ferns or... Click for details

Old Friends  
5414f   $135.00

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One of the last American companies to produce fully hand worked silver, "Old Newbury Crafters" items show the skill of the individual maker in every piece.

That is the case with this 8 1/2" long, 2.6 T. oz., solid silver, serving serving spoon in the company's 1939 Oak Leaf pattern.

Modernist/Deco in style, the handle has straight, tapered edges, with a tip that is surmounted by a representational oak leaf flanked by what are presumably two acorns.

The front of the... Click for details

Old Friends  
5411f   $65.00

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A not readily found pattern, Frank Smith's 1912 George VI aka Ridgefield is, appropriately, a regal looking design that features a variety of raised acanthus leaves and scrolls set on a shaped handle with double lined margins.

The handle backside is less elaborate than the front, but still quite detailed.

This example is a 7 5/8" long, 1.77 T. oz., cold meat fork.

The serving end has four, slender and splayed, tines with scrolled bases, all joined to a deep,... Click for details

Old Friends  
5410f   On Hold

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Massively scaled, this serving piece measures 10 3/4" long and weighs 4.4 T. oz.

Shovel form, it has a blade that is 4 1/2" long and 3 5/8" wide at the splayed end.

This has notched shoulders, wide flanged edges, and a central raised groove in the base.

The surface is extensively engraved in a leaf and flower motif with wriggle work on the flanged edges.

The handle is Old English with a rounded end and tipt backside. The front is bright cut engraved in a design... Click for details

Old Friends  
5404f   On Hold

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Issued in 1909, Norman Hammered by San Franciso's renowned Shreve & Company follows in that firm's Arts & Crafts tradition of silversmithing.

It much resembles the company's flagship line, Fourteenth Century, having a hammered surface set on robust, i.e. thick and blocky, stock, that bespeaks a medieval origin.

This example is a 4 3/4" long, just over 1.0 T. oz., pair of sugar, olive, or even bonbon tongs.

They show angular, squared off, arms with heavy hammering on all... Click for details

Old Friends  
5402f   $46.00

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One of Gorham's earliest full line patterns, patented in 1868 as stamped in the reverse of this 6 1/4" long, .6 T. oz., sugar spoon, Ivy has a tubular stem and broad, convex handle end that features an intricately rendered portraiture of ivy leaves and berries set against a stippled ground.

The handle reverse is engraved with a delicately inscribed, feathered "HC" monogram.

Additional marks include the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, the word "Sterling," and the name of the... Click for details

Old Friends  
5399f   $55.00

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A New York City company which operated in the 1940s and 1950s until its trademark was taken over by Towle, Mueck-Carey produced silver wares such as this baby cup.

In like new condition, without any dents, bends, or splits, and showing a brilliant finish, it stands 2" high to the rim, is 2 3/8" across, with a maximum reach of 3 1/2" to the end of the handle, and weighs 1.3 T. oz.

A perfect cylinder, it has a rolled rim, rounded lower edge with a brushed finish on the underside, and a... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2512   $1,250.00

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Boston circa 1900, richly decorated with Rococo revival ornamentation, crested but otherwise not monogrammed, height 12 1/4 inches, weight 14.58 Troy ounces, some polishing wear to high points but fine overall condition, marked as shown in fifth enlargement.

While quite common in the world of Continental silver, these are exceptionally scarce in Victorian era Americana.

Old Friends  
5395f   $48.00

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One of William B. Durgin's earliest patterns, dating circa 1870, and commonly identified as Spray, this design features a bouquet of woodland flowers and grasses tied by a bow.

This motif appears in the top center of the handle, and is repeated on the lower front and backside heel of the join with the blade of this 6 3/4" long, 1.0 T. oz., master butter knife.

There is a script letter "R" monogram on the handle front.

The blade has a scalloped upper edge, upswept and pointed tip,... Click for details

Old Friends  
5394f   $90.00

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An early line pattern, Gorham's Louis XIV, is Greek Revival in style in spite of carrying a French name.

The main feature is an anthemion leaf, with additional detailing reminiscent of Gorham's also Greek Revival Corinthian design of the same period.

This example is a lengthy 5 1/4", .9 T. oz., pair of sugar tongs with gold washed claw or talon grips and columnar legs.

In superb condition, this pair have never been monogrammed on either the reserve shields on the... Click for details

Old Friends  
5392f   $195.00

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This pair of grape shears (identified as scissors in period catalogues) is a far more consequential item than most of its kindred examples.

Model number "1772" made by Whiting, and so identified on the collar of one handle, along with a "925/1000" sterling designation, they measure 6 5/8" long and weigh a substantial 4.63 T. oz.

The handles are cast and solid silver and constitute the bulk of the weight, with the plated steel cutting end the remaining portion of the total.

One of the... Click for details

Old Friends  
5389f   $85.00

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Finely crafted, this 8 5/8" long, 1.74 T. oz., serving spoon has an Old English, i.e. rounded end with tipt back, handle.

The plain front typical of earlier Old English design has been embellished on this. It has a feathered edge introduced in the 1770s and bright cut work characteristic of the 1780s.

In addition, the reserve at the handle end is engraved with a very fancy, feathered line script, "RL" monogram that is of a style consistent with these dates.... Click for details

Old Friends  
5387f   $135.00

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Stamped "Sterling" and with the "H&S" emblem of Hotchkiss & Schreuder, Syracuse NY, and retailed by "Austin & Prescott," Batavia NY, this piece measures 8 3/4" long and weighs 1.7 T. oz.

The pattern is Longfellow, which clearly follows after the Moorish and Egyptian Revival trends popular in its 1870s period.

It features a repeating series of palm fronds, palmettes, rosettes and ivy leaves along a shaped handle with a pyramid end.

There is a central reserve area on the handle... Click for details