Old Friends  
3782f   $185.00

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Decorative and utilitarian desk items, stamp boxes evoke nostalgic reminders of a measured and purposeful lifestyle that no longer exists. They served the useful purpose of protectively holding stamps when they were issued singly.

This likely late 19th century example was made by George Shiebler, whose "winged S" emblem, the word "Sterling," and model number "4179" are imprinted on the underside.

Rectangular with two compartments, its measurements are very symmetrical, 2" long by 1" wide... Click for details

Old Friends  
3781f   $250.00

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Mid 19th century items, each of these two, large, open master salts measures 3 1/2" long, 2 1/2" wide, stands 1 5/8" at the highest, and weighs 106 grams (3.4 T. oz.) in one instance and 108 (3.5 T. oz.) in the other.

"Georgian" in style, they stand on four tiered feet, have applied rim edges, are finished in bright gold washes on the interiors, and are monogrammed "M.A.B." in Old English lettering on the sides.

They have a double New York City provenance in that they are stamped on the... Click for details

Old Friends  
3780f   $52.00

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A name of note among 19th century Philadelphia silver manufacturers, William Faber, later joined by his sons, produced items of high quality and lasting appeal.

This substantial sized gravy ladle, 7 1/2" long, 2.0 T. oz., with a 2 5/8" wide, 1" deep, oval bowl is a case in point.

It is distinguished by its extensive bright cut engraving that appears on a rounded end "Antique" handle, and additionally in the bowl with double vee shaped grooves and scalloped shoulders.

Portraying a floral... Click for details

Old Friends  
3779f   On Hold

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A rarity in terms of its age and form, this ladle measures 11" long and weighs approximately 2.5 T. oz.

Delicately scaled and with a distinguishing pouring spout on either side of the shell bowl, it is a true punch, or possibly bouillon, ladle, in contrast to the more common large soup or slightly smaller than that, oyster, of the period.

The stem is a solid tube with a twist at the upper end, which is broad, notched, and has an engraved and engine turned surface that includes a reserve... Click for details

Old Friends  
3778f   On Hold

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An original production item, this 10 7/8" long, weighty at 3.4 T. oz., ice cream knife aka slice(r), is an early production item in Gorham's 1888 "Versailles," stamped with the company "lion, anchor, G" logo, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted" on the blade backside.

It is solid silver, with a flat, substantial, handle that portrays a courtly woman holding a cornucopia full of fruits and flowers.

The sweeping blade has a pointed tip and upswept, scalloped back edge. The front surface has a... Click for details

Old Friends  
3777f   $42.00

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Each of these two forks measures 7" long and, while not identical, are matching.

The pattern is Whiting's 1885 high relief "Lily of the Valley" with blunt ends.

One of the two has a script "S" monogram on the handle reverse, weighs just under 1.1 T. oz., and is marked with the Whiting "lion" logo and "Sterling."

The other one is monogrammed "E.A. McKee" in Old English lettering, weighs 1.2 T. oz., and in addition to the lion and standard marks, is stamped for the retailer, "T.C. Tanke,"... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2389   (to order, send email)

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height 2 1/4; diameter of base 2 3/16 inches, weight 3.05 Troy ounces, base shows some evidence of a candle having been pushed down too hard (see third enlargement) but we may say that it's in fine condition when viewed from above!

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2388   $175.00

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length 9 3/8 inches (3 1/8 inches across bowl) weight 2.85 Troy ounces, monogrammed "R" (script, reverse), fine condition, reasonably priced, gilt bowl, see third enlargement for marks.

Old Friends  
3776f   $85.00

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A late 19th century design produced by the Chicago silver firm of Wendell Manufacturing Company, "Ariel" is a highly expressive design.

The central element is a cherubic-looking figure set against a dense, decorative background. It is strongly reminiscent of Dominick & Haff's "Labors of Cupid," which it predates by five years, 1895 vs. 1900.

It is a multi-motif line, meaning the figural representation varies between different pieces.

This example is a 6 1/4" long, heavy, 1.7 T. oz.... Click for details

Old Friends  
3775f   $120.00

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Small, or even diminutive, for a cake saw, and charmingly so, this piece measures 8 11/16" long and weighs 1.3 T. oz.

It has a long, relatively narrow, blade, with a sawtooth upper edge, which is the requisite component for the form.

The pattern is Wood & Hughes' 1870s "Zephyr," which is a Renaissance Revival or Moorish inspired design. Indeed, the blade front on this is engraved in an arabesque pattern, which has Islamic style origins.

There is a fancy Old English "J" monogram... Click for details

Old Friends  
3774f   $175.00

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While a holder of a number of widely embraced, older, flatware design patents, and a substantial manufacturer, pieces that actually carry any of Michael Gibney's marks are not particularly common.

This large at 10 1/4" long, and weighty at 3.4 T. oz., fish server is one of those examples that is stamped with his three part "oval, circle, diamond" emblem, with (a rubbed) "MG" in the upper portion and the date "1845" within the diamond.

There is an added "B" in a square, along with an... Click for details

Old Friends  
3773f   On Hold

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Introduced circa 1865, Whiting's "Lotus" closely resembles Gorham's pattern by the same name and from the same period, with both designs falling within the Egyptian Revival style.

It features five fronds with their stalks appearing to be joined and looped together to form a slender stem.

This example is a 7 3/8" long, .9 T. oz., flat handle, master butter knife, with a particularly attractive blade. It has a notched upper edge and is finely engraved in a floral and leaf motif that... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2387   $1,400.00

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sea creatures and granulated "sand" decoration, length 6 1/4 inches, weight 1.73 Troy ounces, excellent original condition, no monogram.

One factor which ultimately contributed to the demise of his firm was that George Shiebler's best designs were difficult to execute and costly to produce. Not many of these forks were made, and the surviving examples vary in quality and condition.

This is the finest one we've ever had the privilege to offer. The gilt tines are uniform in color,... Click for details

Old Friends  
3772f   $28.00

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Sperry Douglas Brower, operating in business with his son Walter, was an Albany manufacturer of repute and substantial size. Examples of his work are readily found, although that is not the case with his circa 1864 "Medallion" pattern, as instances of it rarely surface.

This piece is a 5 7/8" long, just over .8 T. oz., teaspoon that features a right facing female figure.

The bowl is pointed and has a broad tip. The backside is plain except for "A.L. Vanderheyden," a name with regional... Click for details

Old Friends  
3771f   $90.00

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Comprised of a 6 7/8" long knife with a hollow silver handle and stainless blade, a 6 1/4", 1.0 T. oz. fork, and a 5 3/4" .9 T. oz. spoon, this group is an original youth set in International's 1939 "Royal Danish" pattern.

Never monogrammed and in barely used estate condition, all three pieces are without wear or flaw and have bright, even, finishes.

The fork and spoon are marked "International," "Royal Danish," and "U.S.A.," while the knife is imprinted "International Stainless" on the... Click for details

Old Friends  
3770f   $68.00

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This liquor tag was produced by Gorham in 1910, stamped on the reverse with the company "lion, anchor, G" emblem, a date symbol for the year, the word "Sterling," and the letters "TGR," indicating this is special order (or sample) item.

It is an unusual piece in several regards.

First is the above noted fact that, as a special order, it is essentially one of a kind, or few at most. Second is its size, which is large for this sort of item, measuring 3" by 1 1/2", and weighing approximately... Click for details