Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2416   $2,500.00

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height 9 3/4 inches, weight 31.5 Troy ounces, marked as shown in third image ("T"; circa 1900).

These are in fine overall condition and present themselves quite well. As you may see in our first enlargement, one is ever so slightly off plumb, but the "slant" is so minor that I do not feel it needs to be corrected. Also, there has been an inscription removed from the underside of one. We've shown this in gory detail (see fourth enlargement), but in actuality it's quite hard to see... Click for details

Old Friends  
4052f   $85.00

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A 9" long, 1.7 T. oz., piece, this berry or other serving spoon has a "Tipt" end, and high, pointed, shoulders off the ovoid, scalloped edge bowl.

It is stamped "Zahm & Jackson," for the partnership that Vivian Gerstell in Silversmiths of Lancaster Pennsylvania 1830-50 indicates was established in 1845, although this piece dates some fifteen years or so later than that.

This also carries the "horsehead over shield" manufacturer's mark of Philadelphia's James Watts and the word... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191124-01   $65.00

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Offered is a good pair of decorated early American coin silver sugar tongs by the partnership of James Ward, Roswell Bartholomew and a man named Trott (perhaps John Proctor Trott), working in Hartford, Connecticut circa 1802-03. The maker's mark of this firm is WB&T in a rectangular punch. The maker's mark on this piece is clearly struck (see pics), and the engraved decoration is well preserved. There is no monogram or sign of erasure in the oval reserve to the bowl. This piece measures... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191123-03   $47.50

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Offered is a very nice example of a desirable and scarce form in American silver, a pair of twist-arm sugar tongs. This particular pair is un-decorated save for a period engraved script initial "B" monogram; the overall feel is of a small-town or country piece, perhaps from rural Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio or Kentucky. The grips are a rudimentary acorn form. This piece measures about 5 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 30 grams. Condition is fair overall, in that there is are... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191123-02   $120.00

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Offered is an excellent example of late 18th Century American silver sugar tongs, in this case by noted Albany, New York silversmith Isaac Hutton. See my other listings for a 1780s example by Hutton in partnership with John Folsom. The tongs in this listing were made by Hutton probably during the period between 1790 and 1796 when he working alone in Albany. These tongs have great wrigglework decoration and an engraved period block letter set of owner's initials. One really unusual feature... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20191123-01   Sold

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Offered is one of the best pairs of American coin silver sugar tongs I've had the fortune to come across, bearing a very scarce mark. This exquisite piece was made the short-lived partnership of John Folsom and Isaac Hutton, working in Albany, New York circa 1787 to 1790. The decoration and period engraved monogram on this piece is top-notch, and the form of this pair of sugar tongs is an interesting transition between earlier pierced cast-arm sugar tongs and the single-piece sugar tongs of... Click for details

Old Friends  
4051f   $180.00

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Each of these six iced tea aka parfait spoons measures 7 5/8" long and has an Old English "E" monogram inscribed on the handle front. The group weigh 6.2 T. oz.

Estate items, they are early examples of Gorham's Art Nouveau "Virginiana" pattern, marked with the company "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1904."

A poppy design, the portraiture includes blooms and buds on both ends of the handle, front and back sides, along with long trailing leaves.

They are in outstanding... Click for details

Old Friends  
4049f   On Hold

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A relatively large item, this master salt stands 1 13/16" high to the rim, slightly more to the tips of the three legs, has a top span of 2 1/2", a bottom diameter of 2", and weighs 1.8 T. oz.

It is barrel form, with a tapered body that is plain save for a knurled and lined band on the upper portion. The name "Kate" is inscribed in Old English lettering above this.

The interior has a bright gold wash on the interior and a slightly concave base.

The body is supported on three,... Click for details

Old Friends  
4048f   $65.00

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First issued in 1905 as "American Chippendale" aka "Chippendale," Frank Smith produced a rarely found variant named "Lincoln Engraved" in 1923.

This example of the line is a 5 3/4" long, just over .6 T. oz., narrow bowl, condiment spoon, used for chow chow or piccalilli relishes.

It appears to represent a further refinement of the pattern, having a hammered handle and a hand chased, rather than die struck, design that embodies the Arts & Crafts sensibilities of the period.

There is a... Click for details

Old Friends  
4047f   $285.00

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Marked "IL/HL/CL" for silversmiths John, Henry & Charles Lias, a "lion" for sterling, a "leopard face" for London, an "n" for 1828-29, and a "bust" duty mark, this item is a pap boat, used for feeding children or the invalid.

Measuring 5" long, 3" at the widest, 1" high at the tallest, 2.5 T. oz., it is oval shaped with a pouring lip at one end.

Flat bottomed, it has an applied, gadrooned, rim, and is otherwise plain.

In very good condition, it shows no signs of use save for some... Click for details

Old Friends  
4046f   $235.00

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The Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers by Dorothy Rainwater indicates that "The Kalo Shop" was founded in 1900 by Clara Barck Welles and "went on to become the largest and most influential producer of handwrought silverware and jewelry in the midwest."

Rainwater further notes that "Mrs. Welles retired in 1940." Given that this 10 1/8" long, 3.6 T. oz., serving spoon is engraved on the backside, "AS HCM" over "Feb. 14, 1939," it traces to the founder's working years, which... Click for details

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