North Hill Antiques  
681   $5,000.00

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val-end handle, c1790 -- drop on back of bowl, light reverse rib, feathered script mono B O on front. Long slender handle extending 14-7/8" and ending with 3-3/4" oval bowl.

Until recently, this JG mark was unknown, or attributed elsewhere. Then, a few years ago, Catherine Hollan published her excellent volume on Virginia silversmiths, and there the questions were resolved.

Old Friends  
2164dd   $75.00

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Probably a standard indicator for silverplate, and probably European in origin, this piece is marked "80T."

It is a charming combination baby's rattle with a whistle end. The actual rattle is three conjoined bells that jingle like sleigh bells. These have a wire frame that leads to a twist stem which is attached to the whistle which also functions as the actual handle.

It is an estate item always resident within one family, and has likely late Victorian or early 20th century date. ... Click for details

North Hill Antiques  
665   $750.00

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Oval-end fiddle handle, c1834 -- pointed shoulders, reverse tipt, large unusual circular drop on bowl back, ornate feathered script mono AWC on front; 13-1/2" long, 3-1/2" round bowl. Minty condition throughout.

Old Friends  
2163f   $28.00

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Dating from the mid 19th century, these two coin silver spoons have New England origins. One is marked "W.J. Goodsell" with an eagle and star pseudo hallmark for the Hartford, Connecticut jeweler, and the other is stamped "Harwood Brothers" for the Boston firm. Both pieces have "Tipt" ends and shell bowls, but each is distinct in how these are presented.

The Harwood is the longer, at 6 11/16", and slightly heavier at .8 T. oz., compared to the Goodsell which measures 6 7/16" and weighs .6... Click for details

Old Friends  
2162dd   $60.00

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A charming item, this 4 1/4" long, just over .3 T. oz. total weight, (baby) food pusher is stamped with the "sword through B" mark of Blackinton, along with the word "Sterling."

The pattern is rococo in style and incorporates scrolls and florettes along its asymmetrical border. This frames a white enamel ground that itself contains a pair of purple lilies with trailing green leaves. The canted blade has a flat end and scalloped edges. The entire piece apart from the enamel is finished is... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-08   $175.00

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Offered is a fine and very early example of the work of Fayetteville, NC silversmith John Selph, working circa 1807 to 1838. Selph's work is quite scarce, and this piece is the earliest I've seen by style. The square shoulders and tapered transitional handle put this in the first decade of Selph's career, most likely somewhere between 1807-15. This piece bears a good clear maker's mark and a period engraved script monogram that is a little rubbed but appears to be ERW. Condition is decent... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-07   $12.50

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Offered is a fine early 19th century American coin silver teaspoon marked ROCKWELL, which may be for Edward Rockwell of New York. Condition is very good, with little surface wear, very light dimples in the bowl, and no splits or repairs. There is a period engraved script monogram. This spoon measures about 5 11/16 inches in length, and weighs about 14 grams. The maker's mark is clear and crisp. All in all a fine example of American silver!

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-06   $65.00

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Offered is a fine early American coin silver tea spoon by noted Philadelphia and New Orleans silversmith Anthony Rasch. This spoon is interesting in that it is one of the few pieces of flatware Rasch marked STERLING SILR.; only a few Philadelphia and Baltimore silversmiths seem to have been doing this in the first two decades of the 19th Century. The maker's mark and standard mark on this spoon are well-struck and clear, and the spoon also has a period engraved script monogram. This piece... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-05   $65.00

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Offered is a fine early American coin silver dessert spoon or very large teaspoon by noted Philadelphia and New Orleans silversmith Anthony Rasch. This spoon probably dates to Rasch's Philadelphia years. It is engagingly engraved "Mifs (Miss) C Harris". The maker's mark was struck twice and is clear. This piece measures about 6 7/8 inches in length and weighs 28 grams. Condition is very good with moderate wear from normal use, but no major dents and no splits or repairs. A fine example of... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-04   $125.00

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Offered is a rare early American coin silver table spoon by Lancaster, PA silversmith George Haverstick (b. 1788, d. 1824). Although silver from George's brother William is encountered fairly often, that of George and of his brother John is quite uncommon. This is especially the case with a large tablespoon like this one. This piece measures about 9 7/16 inches in length and weighs about 50 grams. Condition is good overall, with moderate wear to the surface but no major dents and no splits... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-03   $245.00

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Offered is a rare early American coin silver table spoon by Richard Flower, Jr., working in Philadelphia circa 1783-86. After 1786 he appears to have turned to other professions. Flower is known for his birdback spoons, which are quite uncommon. This is the only example of his work I've come across. The maker's mark is very well struck and clear, and the period engraved script monogram is well executed. The bird (pictured) is a dove, and is fairly well preserved. Condition overall is fair,... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-02   $65.00

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Offered is a lovely and large America coin silver tablespoon bearing the mark of Jedediah Weiss of Bethlehem, PA. This table spoon probably dates to the period of 1825-40 by style, but could be a little earlier or later. It measures about 9 1/16 inches in length, and weighs about 56 grams. Condition is excellent, with light wear from normal use but no dents, splits or repairs. An excerpt of Mr. Weiss' obituary, published in the September 3, 1873 edition of the Bethlehem Globe, gives the... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140727-01   $45.00

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Offered is a rare American coin silver teaspoon marked by David Henry Bishop of Bethlehem. David H. Bishop (b. November 19, 1815, d. December 10, 1874) was apprenticed to Charles F. Beckel to learn the clockmaking business, and according to Whisker (whose book has his first and middle names transposed), took over from Beckel in 1830, while still a boy. Bishop was apparently listed as both a silversmith and a clockmaker, but his silver seems to be exceedingly uncommon, so he may have focused on... Click for details

Old Friends  
2161f   $285.00

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Sometimes misidentified as a cracker scoop, this berry spoon or shovel form was a popular American form in the mid 19th century.

This 9" long, nearly 2.7 T. oz., twist stem, example was produced by New York's Albert Coles. It was one of several designs in this genre that Coles offered.

It is die struck and portrays a raised classical warrior figure surrounded by detailing that has an architectural quality to it.

In his foundational work "Silver Medallion Flatware," D. Albert... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140726-04   $15.00

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Offered is a nice little American coin silver salt spoon bearing the mark of William H. Talbott of Indianapolis. This piece is in good used condition, with wear but no splits or repairs. It measures about 3 13/16 inches in length, and weighs about 6 grams. Below is biographical information relating to Mr. Talbott, from "Early Reminiscences of Indianapolis" by John H. B. Nowland (1870): “William H. Talbott - Came from Charleston, Clark County, to this place in the year 1833, and is another... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20140726-03   $75.00

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Offered is a very fine and heavy American coin silver table fork by William Brady, circa 1850-57. Brady is not well known, but luckily his obituary, which gives good information, was published in the July 22, 1879 edition of the Harrisburg Telegraph: "William Brady. The last of five brothers, all well - known, and each highly esteemed in the business circle in which he moved in this city the last of these brothers died last night. William Brady, the subject of this brief sketch, was the... Click for details