Old Friends  
4665f   $225.00

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A 10 1/2", 3.9 T. oz., piece, this item is a long-handled salad server, although it could readily double as a platter spoon.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling" are imprinted on the bowl backside, the pattern is "Versailles."

Featuring imagery inspired by the palace from which the pattern takes its name, this shows a full-sized, draped, classical female figure.

The handle backside has a reserve area, which is engraved with a flowing script monogram... Click for details

Old Friends  
4661f   $65.00

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This piece measures 7 1/2" long, weighs 1.2 T. oz., and has a 2 3/4" by 1 3/4" oblong bowl with a central groove in the interior and rounded corners.

It was made by Frank Smith, likely in the 1880s, and is stamped with his early "S flanked by scrolls" emblem, the word "Sterling," and the name of the retailer, "C.E. Wright" on the reverse.

A preserve or jelly spoon, it has a rounded end "Antique" handle with a plain back. It is engraved on the front with hawthorne branches and flowers, with... Click for details

Old Friends  
4657f   $120.00

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Generously scaled, this coin silver server measures 10 1/8" long overall, has a 4 1/2" by 3" at the widest, blade, and weighs 3.3 T. oz.

It is marked "Blynn & Baldwin," for the Columbus, Ohio, pair of jewelers with approximate dates 1850-60.

The handle is in a double-sided "Kings" pattern that almost surely has Philadelphia origins, with kindred patterns illustrated in Catherine Hollan's encyclopedic Philadelphia Silversmiths.

Intended to serve pie or pastry, the blade is a study... Click for details

Old Friends  
4655f   $90.00

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One of Gorham's earliest full line patterns, Rosette reflects the Greek Revival style popular in the 1860s period when it was issued.

Having a double lined border, the handle end incorporates an anthemion flanked by scrolls, while there is a rosette placed midway up the shank, hence the pattern name.

This example is a 6" long, 1.3 T. oz., sugar sifter with a 2" diameter, round, pierced bowl with scalloped edges and coffered sides. The bowl is finished in a bright gold wash front and... Click for details

Old Friends  
4641f   $85.00

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One of several patterns that originated with John Polhamus and was later continued in production by George Sheibler, "Princess" was first issued in 1874. It incorporates Greek Revival and Moorish design elements reflective of its period.

This example is an 8 7/8" long, 2.0 T. oz., berry or other large serving spoon.

It has a plum-shaped bowl with a pointed tip and scalloped edge, fluted heel. The interior is engraved in an Aesthetic mode design that is reflective of its later, post... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20210705-02   $35.00

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Offered is a nice "married" (matched up later, but not an original pair) set of two Victorian English sterling silver master salt spoons in the desirable Onslow pattern, popular in the 18th Century. Each spoon is by noted silversmith Charles Stuart Harris (whose biographical details appear below), and it appears one spoon was assayed in 1885, and the other in 1890. The hallmarks and maker's mark appear on the bowl of one spoon, and on the handle of the other, and one spoon has a gilt bowl... Click for details

Old Friends  
4640f   $465.00

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Soup ladles in the Victorian era were characteristically large and this example is dramatic validation of this convention.

It measures 14" long and weighs 8.1 T. oz.

The capacious helmet-shaped bowl is 4 1/2" long by 3 1/2" at the widest, and 1 1/2" at the deepest (see image 2). It has a bright gold finish on the interior.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," "Pat. 1864," and the name of the retailer, "Geo. W. Webb & Co.," Baltimore, the pattern is "Medallion."... Click for details

Old Friends  
4638f   $80.00

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At 7 5/8" long and weighing 1.6 T. oz., this may be a preserve, jelly, or small berry serving spoon.

The pattern is John Wendt's "Florentine," which is a Renaissance Revival with Moorish influences design introduced in 1870.

There is a shield reserve on the front, which in this instance has never been monogrammed.

This has an elongated, 3" by 2", oval bowl with scalloped edges and fluted sides.

It is in very fine estate condition, free of polishing wear and with a bright finish. The... Click for details

Old Friends  
4632f   $60.00

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The 1880s generated innumerable engraved floral flatware patterns from various manufacturers, with Gorham's 1885 "Jac Rose" one of the most well-received. Its appeal continues to the present day.

This example is a large, 5 1/4" long, 1.0 T. oz., pair of sugar tongs.

The basic pattern is an "Old English," i.e. "Antique Tipt," with an open blossom, bud, and leaves engraved on a matte finish ground at the top and midpoint of the arms.

The grips are highly detailed talon or claw form, with... Click for details

Old Friends  
4629f   This item is currently being auctioned

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One of the premier names in Philadelphia silver manufacturing in the second half of the 19th century, Peter L. Krider produced items that set a standard for design and quality.

This exceptionally large, 10 1/4" long, 3.1 T. oz., ice cream server validates the above statement.

The handle has a rounded end with a "Tipt" backside. The blade is triangular with an upswept, pointed, end, a rolled upper edge, and double, mirror finish, vees with rounded shoulders in the heel (see image 2).

The... Click for details

Old Friends  
4627f   On Hold

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Likely a preserve, although possibly a large sugar, spoon, this piece measures 6 13/16" long and weighs approximately 1.1 T. oz.

An "Olive" pattern, it was made by Farrington & Hunnewell, whose multi-part emblem appears on the handle back but is over stamped by the name of the retailer, "A.F. Burbank," Boston, 1853-67, and Worcester, 1867-80, Massachusetts.

It is also marked "Pure-Coin," which is a characteristically New England term for the silver standard.

While "Olive" was a generic... Click for details

Old Friends  
4625f   $145.00

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This lengthy, 9 1/8", and weighty, 3.2 T. oz., berry scoop or shovel has origins in Boston, marked for "Bailey. Kettell & Chapman," 1854-58. It is also stamped "Pure-Coin," which is a characteristic New England term.

The handle is a die struck "Bead" pattern that appears on both the front and back sides. There is a cursive "EWL" monogram inscribed on the reverse.

The generously proportioned, 3 1/2" by 2 3/8", scoop is engraved with a highly detailed and finely rendered motif that portrays... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20210219-NFS  

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A bit of a challenge - if you can solve the mark on this spoon and provide a verifiable reference, you'll win either $15 off your next order, or a coin silver spoon - your choice!

This teaspoon is not monogrammed, and bears a mark of G? that may or may not be an F, an H or something else. By style, it should date to between 1805 and 1830. This piece may well not be American - the proportions and drop suggest Bermuda or a similar locale. It measures about 5 3/8 inches in length and... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20210619-01   Sold

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Offered is a lovely American coin silver spoon by Philadelphia maker Henry McKeen, working from about 1823 to about 1865; this piece probably dates to 1850 or earlier. It is initialed "JES" in period engraved script, and has a legible maker's mark and the Philadelphia eagle trademark, which may or may not be a manufacturer's mark used by the Wilson brothers. This teaspoon measures about 6 1/16 inches in length and weighs about 16 grams. Condition is very good overall, with minimal wear and no... Click for details

Old Friends  
4623f   $85.00

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This lengthy at 9 1/8", and weighty at just under 2.5 T. oz, spoon was produced by Wood Hughes, whose "WwH" emblem and "Sterling" appear alongside the patent date.

The pattern is "Angelo" which is a Renaissance Revival design that also shows Persian stylistic influences.

Having a large, 3 3/4" long by 2 3/8" at the widest, bowl, this is likely a salad serving spoon, although it certainly could function as a rice or platter piece.

The bowl has fluted or coffered shoulders and is engraved... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2436   Sold

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double swell fiddle with short front midrib decoration, length 10 3/4 inches, weight 3.88 oz. Troy, fine condition, monogrammed as shown in fourth enlargement.

Noteworthy for the whimsical and well executed decoration of Poseidon averting his eyes from the sullen stare of one sweaty stallion, and for the foliate scrolled embellishments on handle, which are stylistically "of a piece" with the blade.