Old Friends  
2636f   $47.00

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This napkin ring is a plain band of solid silver that measures 1 5/8" in diameter, stands 1 1/4" tall, and weighs just over 1.0 T. oz.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem is stamped on the inside, it is model number "673" which is also imprinted on the interior, along with the word "Sterling."

Dating circa 1880, it is Aesthetic or Eastlake in style, engraved in a pattern that is part foliate and part stylized.

It has a fancy, feathered script, "HMR" monogram.

The... Click for details

Old Friends  
2635f   $165.00

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One of Gorham's earliest coin silver master salts, this is also an exceptionally fine example of the form.

Model number "18," as identified on the underside, along with the rare "left lion" version of Gorham's hallmark, the word "Coin," and the name of the retailer, "W.H. Talbot & Co.," Indianapolis. Interestingly, most sources cite Talbott for spelling of this firm, with the exception of Kovel's which cites Hiatt "The Silversmiths of Kentucky" as its source and uses a single "T."

This... Click for details

Old Friends  
2634f   $36.00

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A 5 3/4" long, just over .9 T. oz., item, this sugar spoon was made by Whiting.

The double-sided pattern is "Empire" aka "New Empire" dating from 1892. It employs various shell motifs, including the overall form of the bowl, and a pair of flanking, scrolled rosettes at the tip of the handle.

The bowl is squared, rather than rounded or oval, and has a partially rubbed gold wash on the front and backsides.

It is without a monogram or removal and in mint estate condition. Pattern... Click for details

Old Friends  
2630f   $55.00

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Dating from 1872, Gorham's "Corinthian" embodies the Classical Revival sensibilities of the period. Architectural in style, it incorporates an anthemion leaf on the handle surmounted by leafy tracery.

The 3/4" deep, nearly round, 2" diameter, bowl with a central vee, flanged shoulders, and slightly tipped lip, on this 6" long, 1.2 T. oz., sauce ladle is engraved in a Palmetto leaf motif that is evocative of Egyptian Revival style. The bowl interior also retains most of its original, bright... Click for details

Old Friends  
2624f   $595.00

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A dramatic example of Modernist design, Gorham's "No. 791" tea set, commonly identified as "Hibiscus," seems to take its inspiration from early 20th century Danish style as especially associated with Georg Jensen.

Offered as a three piece set, this is the pot. It stands 6" tall to the top of the finial, has a main body that is 4" at the widest, 5" to the end of the spout, and has a sterling and ebonized wood handle that extends 4 1/4" at a slight upward cant from the body. It weighs 14.1... Click for details

Old Friends  
2622f   $60.00

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Delicate and slender, this lettuce fork is extra long at 9 5/16". It weighs just over 1.0 T. oz.

The pattern is Whiting's late 19th century "Dresden," which is a charming and intricate floral design that features what appear to be forget-me-not blossoms and leaves trailing up the handle. A shell surmounts the handle tip and there is acanthus leaf detailing in other areas. The pattern repeats with slight variation on both sides of the handle.

The lower portion of the handle is plain... Click for details

Old Friends  
2620f   $125.00

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Measuring 6 3/8" long and substantial weight at over 1.8 T. oz., this pair of tongs is marked with a crowned harp, Hibernia, and "GN" in an oval. These letters are ascribed to George Nangle of Dublin, whose dates are either side of 1800.

Staunch and clean, these were made to a standard and no doubt intended to serve dutifully while presenting with a quiet nobility.

The elongated cup grips have high shoulders that, which, along with the length of the arms, have beveled edges. The arch... Click for details

Old Friends  
2618f   $45.00

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A multi-motif figural design, "Fontainebleau" was one of several exceptional patterns that Gorham produced in the late 19th century.

This piece is a 6 1/4" long, approximately .9 T. oz., sugar spoon.

It has an elongated, plum-shaped bowl with hatched edge shoulders. The interior has a matte finish.

The handle portrays a maiden in courtly garb, carrying a kettle in one hand and a pitcher and saucer in the other.

It is without a monogram or removal and in very good condition. It... Click for details

Old Friends  
2615f   $45.00

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A late Art Nouveau design dating to 1909, Alvin's "Morning Glory" offers a sensitive, perhaps even tender, interpretation of this delicate flower.

Fully expressed on both the front and backsides of the handle, but with different portraiture, the design incorporates multiple blossoms set forth in intricate, precise, detail.

This example is a 6 1/8" long, approximately .5 T. oz., olive spoon.

The plum-shaped bowl has a pierced interior, cut in leaf and apostrophe shapes.

The piece... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20160124-03   $20.00

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Offered is a very finely decorated American coin silver teaspoon by Cincinnati silversmith and jeweler Clemens Oskamp, and bearing his maker's mark. This spoon is nicely engraved M.McM and is in very good condition, with only modest wear and no major dents, and no splits or repairs. This piece measures about 5 15/16 inches in length and weighs about 14 grams. All in all a fine piece of Cincinnati coin silver for display or daily use!

Old Friends  
2612f   $65.00

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A pattern originated by John Polhamus, "Diamond" eventually became part of George Shiebler's stable of offerings.

This example is a 7" long, 1.2 T. oz., preserve spoon marked with Shiebler's "winged S," and the words "Sterling," and "Patent." It has a plum-shaped bowl, with a ribbed heel and midline leading to a slightly pointed tip. Finished in a bright gold wash on the front and a matte gold surface on the backside, the bowl interior is engraved in an aesthetic manner featuring fern... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20130123-02   $25.00

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Offered is a good heavy American coin silver teaspoon bearing the retailer's mark of Harrisburg jeweler William P. Denehey (biography follows a description of the spoon), and manufacturer's marks probably for Watts of Philadelphia. This piece measures six inches in length and weighs a heavy 20 grams. There is a period engraved script monogram. Condition is excellent, with no dents, splits or repairs. All in all a fine piece with a scarce Pennsylvania mark! William P. Denehey (1842 - 1925)... Click for details

Old Friends  
2610f   $215.00

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This example of Victorian period grape shears or, as period catalogues identify them, scissors, are of a quality that set the bar for such pieces. They excel in terms of design, manufacture, and material.

The first factor that stands out is that they are made of solid sterling silver. Grape shears typically have steel cutters, while these are clearly marked on the backside of the lower blade "Howard & Co.," the date "1892," "New York," and "Sterling." To be sure, they do have darkened... Click for details

Old Friends  
2603f   $70.00

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Both large, at 4 7/8" long, and heavy, at nearly 1.3, T. oz., this pair of sugar tongs are a very fine example of Towle's "Old Colonial."

This is an older piece, with a reinforced arch, and decorative beading on the claw grips.

Without a monogram or removal, they are in superb condition. There are no bends, nicks, dents, or polishing wear. The finish is lustrous.

Marks are the Towle lion emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1895."

Old Friends  
2585f   $95.00

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A custom made or special order item, this 7 7/8" long, approximately 2.0 t. oz., serving spoon was produced, or more precisely, adapted, by San Francisco's George C. Shreve.

It is apparently modified from a Whiting "Louis XV" pattern. It retains the "Sterling" and "Pat. 1891" marks of that line, accompanied by "Geo. C. Shreve & Co." It apparently dates between 1891 and 1894, when the name of the firm became "Shreve & Co."

The piece incorporates two modifications, both of which reflect... Click for details

Old Friends  
2581f   $235.00

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With elongated handles, these ten, matching, oyster or seafood cocktail forks measure 7" long. The group weigh a substantial 7.7 T. oz.

The pattern is Durgin's 1890 "Shell. Having a slender, essentially tubular, central shank, the ends broaden to a rounded, upturned end, which hosts the concave shell form. These embody a refined elegance. The design is understated, while the highly tactile finish has a satin smoothness.

The tines are delicately-scaled, with the outer two of the three... Click for details