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.

Old Friends  
4616sh   $52.00

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Measuring 5 5/8" long and weighing 1.6 T. oz., this serving, aka table, spoon is an early example of Whiting's 1905 "Violet" pattern, marked with the company "lion" logo, "Sterling," "Pat. App. For," an Old English "O," and an "M," which might be a weight designation (medium).

An Art Nouveau design, this features violet blossoms on the end and midpoint of the handle, along with trailing, sinuous, stems the full length of the handle, ending with a leaf detail at the join with the bowl.... Click for details

Old Friends  
4612sh   $75.00

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Readily identifiable from their length and round bowl spoon, chocolate muddlers are designed to reach deep inside tall chocolate pots to stir any settled powder on the bottom.

This example measuring 7 1/2" long and weighing 1.3 T. oz. was made by Dominick & Haff in the "No. 10" pattern.

A dense yet delicate multi-floral design dominated by a single chrysanthemum set at the handle end, "No. 10" was patented in 1896, as marked on backside.

Other marks include the company's three part... Click for details

Old Friends  
4610f   $95.00

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Patented in 1881, as stamped on the handle backside, along with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and "Sterling," this piece is a 6 1/2" long, 1.3 T. oz., sugar sifter.

The pattern is "Domestic," which employs a variety of design elements, the primary one of which is an intricate and finely rendered array of ivy leaves and vines, accented by a rosette midway on the handle and an anthemion at the tip.

This has a strikingly attractive bowl with fluted walls and a pierced interior. It is... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2426   $1,450.00

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height 7 7/8 inches, length 10 inches across the bobeches, diameter of base 4 inches, weight approximately 38.5 Troy ounces, no monogram, excellent condition.

Little is known about La Paglia himself, though Dorothy Rainwater relates (see Silver Magazine, May/June 1995, item pictured in article) that he worked as a spy during WWII, and was smuggled into and out of Italy on board a submarine. He perished tragically at the age of 46, after a fall from the roof while cleaning his gutters... Click for details

Old Friends  
4594f   On Hold

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Identified as the first pattern produced by renowned silversmith Arthur Stone, "Round End" was issued in 1901 and reflects the clean, direct style which was emblematic of the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century.

This example is unusual in three aspects.

First is the form of the piece, a fully original, 7" long, cheese scoop, which is a rare item from this maker. It has a semicircular end with a chamfered lip.

Second is the exceptional weight at 2.0 T. oz., resulting in a... Click for details

Old Friends  
4593f   $46.00

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A major name in mid 19th century Boston silver production and retailing, Farrington & Hunnewell was the maker of this 6 7/8" long, .9 T. oz., coin silver preserve spoon marked "< F & H >."

F&H were masters of bright cut and fine engraving, which this piece illustrates. The work on the front of this portrays anthemion and leaf detailing against a fine line background that mimics engine turning.

The handle has a rounded end with a slight "Tipt" backside, and a shield form reserve,... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2432   $360.00

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length 5 5/8 inches, total Troy weight a hefty 7.10 ounces, excellent condition, monogrammed as shown in third enlargement.

For those of you who wonder what that unusual symbol between the Whiting trademark and "sterling" might mean, we suspect that is a letter h inside a circle, meaning 'heavy,' since these weigh a bit more than the average Lily butter spreader.

And for those of you who favor comparison shopping, these can also be had on the big bad auction site at prices ranging... Click for details

Old Friends  
4590f   On Hold

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An early line pattern first issued in 1861 to a coin silver standard, "Cottage" continued in production for many years, through Gorham's transition to sterling in 1868.

This 8 3/4" long, just over 1.8 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon is marked "Sterling," indicating it dates 1868 or later. Other marks include the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Patent 1861," and the rarely found identifier, "Gorham Mfg. Co."

It has a 3 1/2" by 2 1/8", particular to Gorham, stylized shell form bowl... Click for details

Old Friends  
4588f   $68.00

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A 7 1/2" long, just over 1.5 T. oz., preserve spoon, this piece was made by Wood & Hughes, New York City, whose "WwH" emblem is stamped on the handle reverse, along with "Sterling," and "Pat. 1878."

The pattern is "Venetian," which is a Moorish or Renaissance Revival design.

The plum-shaped bowl is relative large and elongated at 3" by 1 3/4" at the widest, by 1/2" deep. It has a central groove in the base, a flange rim, and a pale, satin matte, gold finish on the engraved interior, and... Click for details

Old Friends  
4582f   $65.00

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Measuring 5 1/2" long and weighing just over .6 T. oz., this item has a 1 5/8" diameter, flat-bottomed, bowl with scalloped sides.

An unusual form, it is likely a cream ladle.

The pattern is "Angelo," which is a Renaissance Revival design patented in 1878, as indicated on the reverse. Other marks are "WwH" and "Sterling."

This is engraved "MEP" over "'90" in fancy, feathered script lettering on the handle backside.

The pattern detail remains sharp and well defined, absent polishing... Click for details

Old Friends  
4580f   $285.00

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An image with roots deep in the history of theater, the harlequin figure has had many evolutionary manifestations.

This representation, a pair of 4 1/2" long, heavy at approximately 1.6 T. oz., tongs was made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem and "Sterling" are impressed on the inside of one grip. These are illustrated in the company catalogue of 1888 (see above image 2) in a list identified as "sugar, olive, and bon-bon tongs."

Cast, these are highly detailed and portray the... Click for details

Old Friends  
4557f   $48.00

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As noted in a catalogue listing for a spoon held by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, "Horace E. Potter, a native of Cleveland, was one of the city’s most accomplished and long-lived artists of the Arts and Crafts era.""

He produced jewelry and flat and hollow ware. In addition to the piece noted above, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum has a leaf form spoon of his that is listed on its online catalogue.

Working from 1897 onward, he established the partnership of... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2431   Sold

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Albany circa 1820, length 6 7/8 inches, total Troy weight 14.03 ounces, monogrammed "MM" in period script with flourishes, looking pretty much the same way they did upon leaving Messrs Shepherd & Boyd's establishment just over two hundred years ago.

Finding a set of twelve coin silver dessert spoons in any pattern is rare, but I'm hard pressed to think of the last time we had the privilege to offer a group of this quality (note the "flat" at the tip of each spoon) and decorative appeal. ... Click for details

Old Friends  
4552f   $39.00

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References assign an 1880 introduction date for Whiting's "Antique Tip" aka "Antique Tipt" pattern made in sterling, but this fork is an example of an earlier, 1860s, version made to a coin standard.

Measuring 7 1/8" long and weighing approximately 1.2 T. oz., this is a lunch, or simply a regular or place, piece.

It is characterized by a narrow shank that broadens widely, comes to a point at an unturned end which has a raised scroll and diamond drop that looks something like a... Click for details

Old Friends  
4538f   $70.00

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A faithful representation of the vine, leaves, and fruit from which the pattern takes its name, Dominick & Haff's "Grape" is a late 19th century design, early in the Art Nouveau period.

The imagery is fully developed on the reticulated bowl of this 4 7/8" long, weighty at approximately 1.2 T. oz., bon bon or nut spoon.

Presented in remarkable detail, the leaves show veined and textured surfaces, the rounded grapes are set in high relief, and the tendrils form an artful grid among the open... Click for details