Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190803-01   $49.50

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Offered is a very rare example of masonic imagery being openly used by a silversmith or jeweler in the United States - in this case by George M. Herancourt, who is best known as one of the early brewers of Ohio (see bio below, from the "History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County"), but who for a time was also in the jewelry business in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Herancourt's mark is uncommon. This is also the only example I've seen of an actual pseudo-hallmark that is obviously and directly masonic -... Click for details

Old Friends  
3944f   $70.00

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An 8 1/8" long, 1.7 T. oz., piece, this is likely a berry or large preserve serving spoon.

This has a rounded end, upturned, "Antique" handle that is engraved in an Aesthetic (Eastlake) design that places it circa 1880.

The plum-shaped bowl has a raised central vee in the base,a flanged rim, and is finished in a gold wash front and back sides. The interior is bright cut in a design consistent with the handle and has wriggle work bordering.

The backside is plain save for the word... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2400   $350.00

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preserve spoon with gilt shell bowl, length 9 1/8 inches, excellent original condition, weight 2.01 Troy ounces, retailed by Larmour & Co. of Baltimore.

Though admittedly my memory is not what it used to be, I can't recall ever having owned an item in this pattern. It is a wonderful naturalistic form which Krider executed with the highest quality. We believe that the original cat tail and butterfly model was executed in clay, cut to create the flat side, then folded over (see arrow in... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2399   $95.00

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length 6 1/8 inches, total Troy weight 5.53 ounces, lightly monogrammed "D", fine condition.

Old Friends  
3942f   $65.00

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Each of these six spoons measures 4 3/4" long, with the set weighing just under 3.0 T. oz.

All of them have matching bowls and twisted stems, but are surmounted with an individual cast figure of a standing "Apostle," which is the generic term applied to this widely employed motif.

This particular group was made in Holland, with each piece bearing the Dutch "sword" emblem used 1814-1905 (shown lower left in above image), and indicating a minimum .833 silver standard (sterling is .925).... Click for details

Old Friends  
3941f   $90.00

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Catherine Hollan in Philadelphia Silversmiths offers dates of 1876-87 for the firm of "McCarty & Hurlbert," the name imprinted on the backside of this 9 1/4" long, 2.4 T. oz., berry spoon, with antecedent firms tracing back to c. 1845.

It is also marked "Coin," which is late for this standard, as most manufacturers had converted to sterling by the 1870s.

It has an "Old English" handle with a tipt backside and a bright cut fine flower and leaf theme on the front.

The pointed end... Click for details

Old Friends  
3940f   $265.00

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A large item measuring 9 1/8" long and weighing just under 3.5 T. oz., this piece is identifiable by its unusual 4" by 3 1/2", open work blade, designed to accommodate toast.

Made by Towle at the turn of the 20th century, the pattern is "Old Newbury," which has beaded margins and a scroll and leaf tip handle.

There is a line script "J" monogram on the handle front and "1876-1901" engraved on the reverse, indicating this was a 25th anniversary piece, and also incidentally documenting that... Click for details

Old Friends  
3938f   $88.00

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This lengthy at 7 5/8" and robust at approximately 1.5 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife was made by New York's John Wendt, whose characteristic "Patent 925" (for sterling) and "Bailey & Co.," for the Philadelphia retailer appear on the blade.

The pattern is "Union," and is quite similar to "Gibney," designed by F.H. Gibney, later Whiting, with both it and "Union" issued in 1862.

The handle has a central leaf rosette and leaf tipped, oval end, all elements that are very much of its... Click for details

Old Friends  
3937f   $95.00

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An engraved design dating from the 1880s, Gorham's "Jac Rose" must have been an especially well-received pattern given the quantity of inventory of it that has survived to the present time, though there are few extant examples in as fine condition as this piece.

The rose theme is presented on an "Old English," rounded end, handle with a bright finished, tipt back, and a satin matte finished front.

The detailed floral and leaf imagery shows to full advantage at the scale of this 8 1/2"... Click for details

Old Friends  
3936f   $85.00

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Measuring 6 3/8" long, with a large, 2 1/2" by 1 7/8" at the widest bowl, and weighing just under 1.5 T. oz., this is a preserve or jelly spoon.

It is an early example of Alvin's Art Nouveau style "Old Orange Blossom" pattern marked with the Alvin emblem, "Patent," and "Sterling," all in fine, precise, lettering as would be expected of an original piece in this line.

There is a script "SRN" monogram lightly engraved on the handle front.

In very good estate condition, the pattern remains... Click for details

Old Friends  
3935f   $120.00

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Solid silver, this pie or pastry server measures 9" long and weighs 2.7 T. oz.

It has a large, triangular shaped, 4 3/8" long by 2 3/4" at the widest, blade with a cupped heel and slightly flanged shoulders.

Marked "Shreve & Co.," for the San Francisco firm known for its Arts & Crafts style silver, which this is, and "Sterling," the pattern is "Norman," patented in 1909. It was offered in a plain version, and as is this, with a hammered surface.

The upturned handle front is engraved... Click for details

Old Friends  
3934f   On Hold

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One of Tiffany's most successful 19th century patterns, "English King" derived from British design. It is yet sought after, more than a century and a quarter after it was issued.

This example is an early production piece marked "Tiffany & Co." "Sterling," and with a capital "M," this letter dating it no later than 1891.

It is an 8 5/8" long," extremely heavy at 3.7 T. oz., table or serving spoon.

Never monogrammed, it is in superb estate condition. Pattern detail remains clear and is... Click for details

Old Friends  
3933f   $285.00

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The prominent New York City firm of Wood & Hughes produced several "Medallion" patterns in the 1860s period when such classically inspired imagery was popular.

The portraiture on this 8 3/4" long, 2.5 T. oz., coin silver, berry shovel (often identified as a cracker scoop) is anecdotally referred to as the "Diana Medallion," as identified by D.A. Soeffing in his 1988 benchmark work on this category of silver. He describes this design as "particularly Grecian in its appearance."

The... Click for details

Old Friends  
3932f   On Hold

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Bearing a Dutch "sword" hallmark used 1814-1906 this fork measures 5 3/8" long and weighs just over .5 T. oz.

It has three silver (.833 standard or above) tines and shank, and an amber handle.

Finely crafted, the tines are slender and pointed, while the polished shank has beveled edges, and it as well as all sides of the collar that receives the amber, are delicately engraved.

The handle is faceted on all four sides and has a rounded end.

It is in excellent condition, showing no... Click for details

Old Friends  
3931f   $55.00

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Weighty at just over 1.0 T. oz., this 6 1/8" long youth fork is a quality example of Wallace's entry into the offerings of female nude subjects produced by various silver manufacturers at the beginning of the 20th century."

The portraiture is of a full-sized, semi-draped, figure with three putti surrounding her head. One of these is cupid like and is pointing a bow and arrow at her.

Additional detailing includes orchid or iris blossoms, leaves and other flowers, front and back sides, all... Click for details

Old Friends  
3930f   $85.00

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A very rare pattern produced by Watson & Newell Co. about 1900, this line of female nudes is identified in two online sites as pattern "No. 1," and listed as multi-motif, but additional information about it or further examples from any source seems to be unavailable.

The Art Nouveau imagery is high relief and sculptural in the rendering, featuring a bare-breasted woman emerging from a pool of water filled with pond lilies.

It is a highly sensual and graphic design, and while Watson &... Click for details