Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20220603-01   $27.50

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Offered is an interesting American coin silver teaspoon circa 1848, in a pattern I haven't seen before, and which seems to be quite rare. This pattern was apparently patented in 1848, judging by the mark on the spoon, and the spoon was retailed by John and James Cox of New York, NY. The manufacturer may or may not have used a "W" mark, which has a journeyman's mark or tally mark next to it. Alternatively, the "W" is itself a journeyman's mark, and the spoon could lack any identification of... Click for details

Old Friends  
4959f   $45.00

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A commemorative of the Shriner's 1903 convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this 5 3/4" long, .7 T. oz., spoon was made by the Shepard Manufacturing Company, whose "S in a circle" emblem and the word "Sterling" appear on the backside. The word "Saratoga" and date "1903" appear in the bowl.

The handle front features a full figure American Indian wearing a headdress with a quiver of arrows on his back and a bow and two arrows in his hand. He is positioned above two ears of corn.

How this... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2476   Sold

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NY circa 1840, diameter 8 1/2 inches, weight 13 Troy ounces, some light surface wear but fine overall condition, marked as shown in fourth enlargement.

The three elaborately cast and chased feet, with highly carved flowers and scrolls, elevate this object into the realm of far above average.

Old Friends  
4953f   $75.00

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Measuring 6 7/8" long and weighing approximately 1.0 T. oz., this place, sometimes referred to as a regular, fork was made by Watson whose Mechanics Division pennant emblem and the word "Sterling" appear on the handle backside.

The pattern is Bacchante, issued in 1895. It features a nude female figure holding a bay in one arm and a cluster of grapes, a reference to Bacchus, the God of wine, and the source of the pattern name, in the other arm.

The image is modeled after a statue... Click for details

Old Friends  
4950f   On Hold

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A popular motif in mid 19th century silver design, the (acanthus) Leaf design of this 6 7/8" long, 1.2 T. oz., coin silver preserve spoon was produced by a number of makers, including Albert Coles, whose "eagle, AC, bust" emblem appears on the handle backside .

Gorham was another company which produced a leaf design. That line, named Josephine, was nearly identical to Coles', and patented in 1855, which is the approximate date of this piece.

It has a shell form bowl with... Click for details

Old Friends  
4949f   $46.00

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This 6" long, very heavy at 1.4 T. oz., teaspoon is an early production example of Gorham's "Cluny," marked with the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted."

Originated by renowned designer Antoine Heller, the pattern features dense, high relief, floral elements with rosette and palmetto accents.

A commemorative item, it is engraved in the bowl "Stroudsburg" in script, as well as with the date "Nov. 10. 1903" on the handle backside.

Apparently little if ever... Click for details

Old Friends  
4947f   $68.00

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Established in 1867, Schohay & Ludwig (later Schohay, Ludwig & Co.) produced high quality silver, although as the company was short-lived, examples of their wares are not commonly found.

Located in Philadelphia, the firm's work followed after regional style typical of the period and that is the case with this 7 1/8" long, .9 T. oz., preserve spoon.

It has a flat, ovoid handle with a Tipt end that is joined to a twisted stem. This is engraved in a bright cut, line, and wriggle work... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20220521-02   $35.00

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Offered is a rare early Chinese export silver master salt spoon in the fiddle thread and shell pattern, bearing one of the marks attributed to silversmith Linchong or Lynchong, working in Canton in the early 19th Century. This mark is in the Chait Collection book on Chinese Export Silver. This piece measures about 4 inches in length and weighs about 17 grams. It is crested but the crest is so worn it may be that an attempt was made to erase the armorial. The maker's mark and pseudo-hallmarks... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20220521-01   $29.50

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Offered is a good American coin silver tablespoon from Philadelphia, made by James Watts and bearing the very rare retailer's mark of Jacob and Solomon Frank, working on N. 6th Street circa 1850-61. This mark is uncommon enough that no example was found in the preparation of the book "Philadelphia Silversmiths" by Cathy Hollan. This tablespoon measures about 8 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 41 grams. It is graced with a period engraved script "MJ" monogram. The Watts manufacturing... Click for details

Old Friends  
4945f   $56.00

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This mid 1850s piece is stamped with a three part, "bust, letter, lion" pseudo hallmark and the name "E. Benjamin," for the New Haven, Connecticut jeweler, Everard Benjamin, son of well-known silversmith Barzilli Benjamin.

An olive variant which incorporates what may more accurately be interpreted as anthemion or honeysuckle portraiture, this design is attributed in Silver in the Golden State to the San Francisco firm of Frederick R. Reichel, and identified by the name Olive.... Click for details

Old Friends  
4944f   $185.00

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Well-regarded in its late 19th/early 20th century period, the Newark, New Jersey firm of William B. Kerr was particularly well-known for its Art Nouveau jewelry as well as children's items, of which this 6 1/4" diameter, 4.2 T. oz., solid sterling silver plate is an example.

It has a rolled edge with a 1 1/4" wide rim that is acid etched with the words Old Mother Hubbard interspersed with a variety of figures evoked by this nursery rhyme.

These include an endearing portraiture of... Click for details

Old Friends  
4940f   $70.00

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Measuring a lengthy 5 7/8" and weighing a hefty near 1.7 T. oz., this pair of tongs originated in Boston and date circa 1860. Probably intended for sugar, they are large enough to be used for ice.

They are stamped "Shreve, Brown & Co.," the 1857-60 predecessor of Boston's premier "Shreve, Crump & Low," on the inside of one arm, and "925 in an oval" on the inside of the other.

The pattern is an Oval Thread with cast, sturdy and highly articulated, grips.

Never monogrammed on... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2475   Sold

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length 10 1/4 inches, weight 3.2 Troy ounces, monogrammed as shown, excellent original condition. A similar ladle with applied medallion in rounded section of the handle sold at South Bay (4/18/2017; lot 195), which leads us to believe that this item was both manufactured and retailed by Newell Harding, thought Wendt is certainly a possibility.

The gilt, ruffled bowl is a tour-de-force of Victorian era engraving. Please see our third enlargement for a better view.

Old Friends  
4934f   $55.00

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Born in 1897, James Brett Hamlin's life encompassed nearly the full span of the 20th century as he lived until 1994.

A silversmith and pewterer with a specialty in jewelry, he studied and worked in New York City until settling in Maine about midpoint in his life, and where he remained active until about 1980. One source describes him as a "true modernist."

This 5 7/8" long, nearly 1.3 T. oz., gravy ladle is an apparently rare example of his flatware work executed in sterling silver.

It... Click for details

Old Friends  
4930f   $38.00

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Little reference material is available about the Boston firm "N.G. Wood & Son" founded in the late 19th century, although based on the inventory of their goods still available, they were a major operation.

This item, a 5 3/4" long, .7 T. oz., circa 1880, sugar spoon, carries their mark along with the word "Sterling."

A high quality piece, it has an Old English Reverse Tipt handle that is bright cut engraved in an Aesthetic style floral, leaf, and grass design set on a satin finish... Click for details

Old Friends  
4929f   $150.00

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Each of these twelve identical, sterling silver, coffee--slightly larger than a demitasse--spoons measures 4 1/4" long with the set weighing 3.4 T. oz.

The pattern is Gorham's original Mothers issued in 1875, versus a new version introduced in 1926.

Mother's is essentially a Pointed Antique design with a plain back handle and exposed drop on the heel.

These are all engraved with the same "MTC" line script monogram on the fronts, and have gold washed finishes on both... Click for details