Old Friends  
4262f   $385.00

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In his foundational work Gorham Silver, Charles Carpenter indicates that Gorham introduced its line of copper wares in 1881, with "most pieces . . . made in the 1881-1885 period."

This 4 1/2" long by 2 1/4" high cigar lighter actually bears a date mark for 1888 on the underside, along with the model number "Y20," "Gorham & Co.," and a single "anchor."

This has a dragon handle, bronze spout and cap through which a wick feeds, and solid silver scenic applique on two sides.

The... Click for details

Old Friends  
4261f   $85.00

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A Colonial Revival bead, leaf, and scroll design issued in 1900, "Old Newbury" quickly established itself as one of Towle's standard bearer patterns.

This example is a medium, albeit actually large at 8 1/2" long and very weighty at 2.9 T. oz., cold meat fork.

It has four broad and curved tines, the inner two of which are joined by a leaf-like crossbar.

The handle is inscribed with a fancy Old English "C" monogram.

In very good condition, the only signs of use are fine surface... Click for details

Old Friends  
4260f   On Hold

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Variously identified as a tea, dessert, or breakfast knife, this piece measures 7 1/8" long and weighs 1.4 T. oz.

It is solid silver, with a flat handle and blunt-end blade.

Dating from the 1860s, the pattern is an "Oval Thread" made by John Polhamus, New York City, whose "J*P" mark appears on the blade, which is also stamped "Tiffany & Co.," which in this instance was the retailer.

It is also marked "Sterling," which silver standard Tiffany required of its sources even while coin was... Click for details

Old Friends  
4259f   $75.00

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Identical save for the engraving, each of these four teaspoons measures 5 7/8" long with the group weighing approximately 3.0 T. oz.

They are marked "Blackman & Warner," c. 1856-72, which was the last of several partnerships John C. Blackman of Bridgeport, previously Danbury, Connecticut entered in.

Presentation pieces, three of these are engraved "Pauline." in Old English script set sideways on the handle front. The fourth spoon reads "Maud." in matching lettering, with the added date,... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
1426106  

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This spoon is an interesting mystery, that might be easily solved, or not. If you can provide a definitive identification of the maker of this spoon, with a reference, you will receive a nice coin silver spoon in good condition, or $15 off your next order with me. This spoon resembles some spoons by William Moulton, and may be by him, though I've not located a reference to this specific maker's mark. It could also be by someone else. The heel is quite specific. The spoon appears dirty, but... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20200615-01   $27.50

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Offered is a nice Southern coin silver teaspoon by noted Charles Town, VA silversmith Charles G. Stewart, working in that location between about 1820 and 1864. This teaspoon is rather early, and likely dates to around the 1820s. It is decorated with a period engraved script monogram, and has a clear maker's mark. This spoon measures about 5 9/16 inches in length and weighs about 11 grams. Condition is fairly good overall, but the stem has a small ripple or twist that is featured in one of... Click for details

Old Friends  
4258f   $44.00

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A rococo design issued in 1890, Frank Smith's "Earle" is a dense, rococo, pattern featuring swirling acanthus leaves, scrolls, and floral elements on the handle front, and a plain backside, save for a script "K" monogram that appears on the backside of this 5 15/16" long, .8 T. oz. sugar spoon.

This piece has a singular to Frank Smith, flat bottomed bowl with a ruffled edge, which in this instance is finished with a pale matte gold wash front and back sides.

In excellent condition, this... Click for details

Old Friends  
4257f   On Hold

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A 3 3/4" long, just over .4 T. oz., fork with three tines, this is stamped on the reverse with Dominick & Haff's three part emblem and "Sterling."

A baby or infant feeding fork, it has a rounded-end, curved handle with the raised words "Mother Goose" and an image of this fairy tale figure with her goose.

There are four, blunt end, tines joined to a cupped heel.

Dating from early in the 20th century, and never monogrammed, this is in very fine condition, free of polishing wear or damage,... Click for details

Old Friends  
4256f   $105.00

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References offer close dates, 1786-87, for the partnership of 18th century New York City silversmiths Thomas Underhill (b.1755) and John Vernon (b. 1761), whose marks, "T.U" and "I.V" respectively, appear on this 8 5/8" long, just over 1.8 T. oz., serving spoon.

It has a slender, down turned, rounded end with "Tipt" backside, handle that has a period, block letter, "I*D" monogrammed engraved on the front.

There is a pronounced long drop on the bowl reverse.

In very fine condition, this... Click for details

Old Friends  
4255f   $18.00

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One of five matching pieces, this oyster or seafood cocktail fork measures 5 5/8" long, and weighs .6 T. oz.

It is marked "Sterling" and "J.S. MacDonald" for the Baltimore, Maryland, manufacturer and retailer, with approximate dates 1870-1920.

It has a rounded, slightly down-turned, "Antique" handle that is bright cut engraved in a "Lily" aka "Lily of the Valley" pattern set on a satin matte ground, and has a feathered script "BLB" monogram engraved sideways on the handle.

The tines are... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20200611-02   $120.00

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Offered is a nice Southern coin silver dessert spoon by noted Norfolk, Virginia silversmith Joseph M. Freeman, with period engraving of "Dr. Willson" over "USN". This piece probably dates to the 1830s or 1840s, and Dr. Willson was presumably a Navy surgeon attached to the Atlantic Fleet at Norfolk at that time. Given the Navy's extensive records and the availability of resources at Norfolk and at the Navy Museum in Washington, it is quite likely Dr. Willson could be tracked down and... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20200611-01   $45.00

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Offered is a lovely early silver tablespoon circa 1780-1800, attributed to Danish silversmith Soren Christian Bonde, working in Svendborg in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. He seems to have been born around 1751, and this spoon by style should date to about 1780-1800. This piece bears three legible maker's marks of SCB in a large punch, and also has a period engraved feathered script monogram that is more North American in style than is usually seen in Danish silver. It is possible... Click for details

Old Friends  
4253f   $165.00

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This 7 7/8" long, approximately 2.3 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon is of singular design and crafting.

Stamped "Black Starr & Frost" for the New York City retailer which used this particular mark 1874-1908, but is without a manufacturer's identification, the pattern is a "Narcissus" offered in an Art Nouveau style, dating it circa 1900.

The pattern which appears on the "Old English," tipt backside, handle front and bowl interior appears to be hand chased. It shows a textured,... Click for details

Old Friends  
4252f   On Hold

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A handsome example of mid 19th century American silver flatware, this 7 1/2" long, .9 T. oz., master butter knife features three favored style elements from the period.

First, it has a twisted stem that joins the broad and flat handle end to the blade. Second, the handle and blade are notched and scalloped in a unique pattern. Third, the front side surfaces are bright cut and wriggle work engraved in a leaf, scroll, and crosscut design.

The open reserve area on the handle is inscribed with... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20200608-02   $19.50

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Offered is a nice American coin silver teaspoon bearing manufacturing marks of Hotchkiss & Schreuder, and a retailer's mark of E. P. Burt - perhaps a descendant of the famous Burt family of silversmiths, perhaps not. An Erastus Park Burt (b. 1816) worked as a jeweler and dry goods store owner in Oswego, NY in the 1850s and 60s - this is probably the E. P. Burt who marked this spoon. Mr. Burt was also the city treasurer of the city of Oswego six separate times in the 1850s and 1860s. ... Click for details

Old Friends  
4251f   $46.00

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Reflecting his interest in colonial and early English design, Boston silversmith Timothy Tuttle named this rounded end, tipt back handle, pattern "Hannah Hull" after the wife of Samuel Sewell whose name is interwoven with the Salem witch trials.

This 5 3/4" long, relatively heavy at 1.2 T. oz., sugar spoon evidences the Arts & Crafts sensibilities which also informed Tuttle's work.

The overall finish is smooth and even, with a soft-to-the-touch feel.

The rounded end bowl is deeply... Click for details