Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191117-01   $75.00

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Offered is a fine set of five early American coin silver teaspoons by the rare and brief partnership of Benjamin Robinson & John Harwood, gold and silversmiths, working circa 1819-22 at 12 North 2nd Street. These spoons each have a period engraved script monogram and each has a legible maker's mark - the marks on most of these spoons are better than that shown in "Philadelphia Silversmiths", by Catherine Hollan. These spoons measure a bit over 5 3/4 inches in length, and the set weighs a total... Click for details

Old Friends  
4045f   $110.00

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Frank's Smith's "Federal Cotillion" aka "Edward VII" is nearly identical in design to Whiting's "King Edward," with both issued in 1901, coincident with the elevation of Edward to the throne of the United Kingdom following the death of Queen Victoria.

The pattern is an American interpretation of an English "Kings" pattern and incorporates shells, acanthus leaves, and an anthemion.

This group is a set of twelve, matched, 4 3/8" long, 5.8 T. oz. the group, coffee (slightly larger than... Click for details

Old Friends  
4044f   $42.00

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Issued in 1910, Tiffany's "Fanueil" pattern is essentially a pointed antique with a tipt back. It bespeaks the Colonial Revival style that was coming to dominate the period, while the clean form evokes the sensibilities of the Arts & Crafts Movement.

This example is a 6" long, weighty at 1.2 T. oz., sugar spoon with a script letter "EAB" monogram engraved on the handle front.

The bowl has pointed, flanged, shoulders and a thumb drop on the backside.

Marked "Tiffany & Co.,"... Click for details

Old Friends  
4043f   $185.00

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Measuring 6 3/8" long and weighing 1.4 T. oz., this pair of tongs is marked with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, and "Sterling."

The pattern is "Virginiana," which is an early 20th century, Art Nouveau design that features poppy blossoms, buds, and leaves.

There is a flowing script "KTC" monogram engraved on the arch.

An original and unusual form, these tongs have large, 1 1/2" long, lined and textured, leaf grips. If form suggests function, then these are for olives, given the leaf... Click for details

Old Friends  
4042f   On Hold

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Durgin produced three kindred, plain with rounded end, designs in the second half of the 19th century, "English Antique," "French Antique," and "Windsor."

This 7 5/8" long, relatively heavy at 1.6 T. oz., flat handle, blunt end blade, tea, dessert, or breakfast knife is likely "French Antique," dating from 1870.

It has a pinched waist, and is unembellished apart from a crisp, script "LIH" monogram engraved on the handle front.

Marked on the blade backside with Durgin's "D"... Click for details

Old Friends  
4041f   $265.00

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Issued in 1878, Gorham's fabulously designed "Narragansett" pattern was developed using models from sea life found in the Rhode Island bay of this name.

The positive reception to the line apparently inspired numerous other kindred but less elaborate items, of which this napkin ring is an example (such pieces are frequently facilely identified as "Narragansett" although not actually so).

Measuring 1 3/4" wide, 2" in diameter, and weighing 1.2 T. oz., the raised surface portrays a variety of... Click for details

Old Friends  
4040f   $110.00

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A prominent Hudson River Valley silver manufacturer from the 1840s to the 1880s, John L. Westervelt of Newburgh produced the "Ivy" pattern that appears on this 7 3/4" long, approximately 2.2 T. oz., sugar sifter.

This is stamped "Sterling," along with Westervelt's "star, lion, D" pseudo hallmark.

The pattern is double die struck, meaning it appears on both sides of the handle. There is a line script "M" engraved on the handle front.

The bowl is shell-shaped with a ribbed interior and... Click for details

Old Friends  
4039f   $22.00

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Measuring 4" long and weighing 7 grams (just over .2 T. oz.), this master salt spoon features a pronounced "Fiddlet Tipt" handle, with high, pointed, shoulders off the shovel form bowl.

It is marked "J.T & E.M.E. Chicago," whom John McGrew in his Manufacturing Marks on American Coin Silver identifies as J.T. and E.M. Edwards, working 1852-64.

There is a finely engraved, script letter, "HPC" set sideways on the handle.

Essentially without wear, it remains well-shaped, free of... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191110-04   Sold

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Offered is an excellent early Marietta coin silver teaspoon by little-known silversmith Elisha Pratt (b. 1798 - d. 1855), who was trained by his father, silversmith Azariah Pratt in Marietta, his apprenticeship beginning around 1815 or a bit earlier. By the 1820s, Elisha would have been working on his own in Marietta, though the first formal note of his profession as a silversmith seems to date to 1828. By the 1850 census, Elisha Pratt was described as a gunsmith. This spoon by style should... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191110-03   $18.00

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Offered is a circa 1824-40 American coin silver teaspoon by Syracuse silversmith, watchmaker and jeweler Hiram Judson, working circa 1824 to his death in 1853. By style, this piece would be on the early end of his career. The maker's mark of H.JUDSON is well struck, and there is another, very interesting mark in a shield form, perhaps heraldic. This mark doesn't appear to be associated with any other Judson pieces observed online, and may have been the mark of a transiting journeyman. In any... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191110-02   $65.00

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Offered is a nice set of four American coin silver teaspoons by Philadelphia silversmith John Morin, working circa 1808-32. These are probably from 1815-20 by style, but could be a few years earlier or later. Each spoon has a good clear maker's mark and a period engraved script monogram. These spoons measure about 5 3/4 inches in length, and the set of four weighs about 66 grams altogether. These spoons are in good condition overall, with modest wear and some stubborn areas of tarnish, and... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191110-01   Sold

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Offered is a really nice example of noted Philadelphia silversmith James Watson's early maker's mark - J.WATSON in script in a conformed punch. The mark on one of these spoons was used for the book "Philadelphia Silversmiths" by Catherine Hollan. These two Philadelphia coin silver teaspoons are very well made and each has a period engraved script monogram in addition to the maker's mark and a small star mark that is probably for a journeyman. These two spoons each measure about 6 1/8 inches... Click for details

Old Friends  
4038f   On Hold

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An early 20th century design, International's "Jeanne d'Arc" pattern features a floral, leaf, and scroll end surmounting a lined border handle.

This example is an 8 3/8" long, weighty at 1.2 T. oz., long-handled olive spoon.

The 2" long by 1" wide bowl is pierced in a "fleur-de-lis" motif which is a flower associated with the pattern's namesake, Joan of Arc.

Never monogrammed, this remains in flawless condition. Without polishing wear, it has a bright finish. The bowl is free of dents,... Click for details

Old Friends  
4037f   On Hold

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Made in spoons like this set of eight 4" long, 2.5 T. oz., coffee or demitasse, and a number of other small serving items, Reed & Barton's "Harlequin" features an array of flowers.

They were produced in sterling silver, with earlier pieces marked with the company's "eagle, R, lion" emblem and later items stamped "Reed & Barton," and also in silverplate.

There were at least sixteen flowers portrayed, with an additional four variants, for a total of twenty.

This group includes, from left... Click for details

Old Friends  
4036f   $52.00

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Weighty at approximately 1.2 T. oz., this 6 5/8" long, three tine fork is fully hallmarked for John, Edward, Walter and John Barnard, 1859-60, sterling silver, and London.

Jackson's Hallmarks identifies this firm as a "major manufacturer," and the quality of work on this piece validates that assessment.

It has an "Old English" handle with an upturned, slightly tipt end. This is extensively engraved front and backsides in a fine, bright cut, design that includes rosettes, Vitruvian... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2415   $250.00

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unmarked but attributed, coin silver, height 3 7/8; diameter 2 inches, engraved "E.C.M. from A.D. Nov 9, 1912" and monogrammed "M", weight 2.95 Troy ounces, light surface wear to medallions but fine overall condition.

There is a very small test mark (I swear we didn't do it!!) which I've magnified many times in the fifth enlargement, but please rest assured that to the naked eye this is barely visible.