Old Friends  
3938f   $78.00

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This lengthy at 7 5/8" and robust at approximately 1.5 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife was made by New York's John Wendt, whose characteristic "Patent 925" (for sterling) and "Bailey & Co.," for the Philadelphia retailer appear on the blade.

The pattern is "Union," and is quite similar to "Gibney," designed by F.H. Gibney, later Whiting, with both it and "Union" issued in 1862.

The handle has a central leaf rosette and leaf tipped, oval end, all elements that are very much of its... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190716-01  

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This piece is not currently for sale, but if you can solve its mystery mark with a definitive (or at least very strong) attribution, I'll offer you your choice of either $10 off your next order, or a free coin silver spoon in good condition!

This pair of feather-edge sugar tongs are marked once inside the bow with a maker's mark that appears to be IVB conjoined, but could be MB or NB conjoined. Please click on the first photo to scroll through all the pictures. The tongs appear to be... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2398   Sold

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One by craftsman Alfred Wikstrom (has Stone Associates mark); the other by Charles W. Brown, length five inches, total Troy weight .94 oz. excellent condition, marked and monogrammed as shown.

A set of these same spoons graces the cover of Elenita Chickering's superb monograph about her Uncle, Mr. Stone.

Old Friends  
3924f   This item is currently being auctioned

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A large piece measuring 8 1/2" long and weighing 1.8 T. oz., this table serving spoon bears one of the earliest marks, a "bird surrounded by a wreath," that the William B. Durgin Company used on its flatware.

It is also stamped "M.F. Robinson" for the Springfield, Massachusetts jeweler with dates of operation 1860-99, and "Sterling."

A non-line pattern, its relatively plain style with a broad, fanned, handle end with bright cut diamond and bellflower components, suggests a date circa 1880.... Click for details

Old Friends  
3922f   $65.00

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Likely dating 1855-1862, this sugar sifter measures 7" long and weighs 1.2 T. oz.

It was made and sold by Philadelphia's "Bailey & Co.," and is so marked, along with a "lion, S, shield" with additional "lion" pseudo hallmark that was used while George Sharp was the company's manufacturing manager 1852-c. 1862 (Catherine Hollan Philadelphia Silversmiths).

The "S" indicates sterling, while a like mark with a "U" indicates coin silver, with the former introduced in 1855 (Hollan).... Click for details

Old Friends  
3921f   $125.00

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This rendition of "Lily of the Valley" by Gorham is to be distinguished from the die struck pattern of the same circa 1870 date that features this flower and is also known as "No. 88," and certainly it is very far removed from the company's 1950 line called "Lily of the Valley."

An approach to silver flatware construction that was popular in the period, and one which showcases the artfulness of a given manufacturer, such items are assembled from a variety of components.

Made in a limited... Click for details

Old Friends  
3891f   $65.00

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The Baltimore Museum of Art volume Maryland Silver indicates George Webb (1812-90) was a second generation silversmith, although he trained under Hugh Gelston rather than his father, James Webb.

This source also notes that he "conducted his highly successful jewelry and silver shop under the name Webb & Co. on Baltimore and Light Streets with W.H. Sexton as a partner 1877-86."

As this 9" long, 2.2 T. oz., serving spoon carries this mark, along with the word "Sterling," it can be... Click for details

Old Friends  
3884f   $80.00

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Measuring 8 1/8" long and weighing 1.8 T. oz., this coin silver item has a generously sized, 2 1/2" diameter, shell-shaped, pierced, bowl and "Reverse Tipt" handle.

Generally identified as a large sugar sifter, there is some argument to be made that pieces this scale from this period were actually early ice spoons.

In either case, it is a fine representation of what it is.

It is stamped "R. Fisher, Jr." and "331 Broad Way, N.Y." on the reverse, for Richard Fisher, working 1846-50, also... Click for details

Old Friends  
3866f   $110.00

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A matched pair, each of these master salts measures 2 1/4" in diameter and stands 1 3/8" high, while the pair weigh 3.2 T. oz. combined.

They are English in origin and fully hallmarked for London, 1897-98, sterling, and WG/JL for William Gibson and John Langman (also operating as the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.).

Traditional in design, they are round, with heavily repoussed bodies, applied hatched rims, and stand on three lion's paw and shell legs.

Each piece has a reserve area which... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2397   $475.00

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Philadelphia circa 1790, with round downturned end and rounded drop, length 14 1/4 inches, weight 6.0 Troy ounces, monogrammed "RRC" (period script, obverse), with a scratch below these initials as shown and a few minor nicks in bowl but very good overall condition. In an attempt to distinguish this ladle from its peers, we'll mention that the bowl has a slight boat shape when viewed head on, as you may see in photo number four.

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190407-03   $24.00

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Offered is a very nice early American coin silver teaspoon by noted Philadelphia silversmith and jeweler Nicholas Le Huray (or LeHuray) Jr., working circa 1821-46 in that city. Nicholas Junior's work is always desirable and usually very finely done. This spoon is no exception, with a lively period engraved script monogram, and nice proportions. Please scroll through all the pictures by clicking on the first picture. This spoon measures about 5 3/4 inches in length and weighs about 13 grams. ... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190406-NFS   Not For Sale

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NOT FOR SALE - Here's a challenge - a circa 1790-1810 American coin silver tablespoon marked only IS in a large serrated punch, with a nicely engraved period script monogram of GJM and a V-shaped drop. This piece measures about 9 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 59 grams. It came in a lot with a piece by Caleb Bentley of DC, VA and MD, and it has the look of rural VA, MD or PA. I haven't seen this particular mark before, and am hoping someone else has. If you can solve this piece (or... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190331-08   $45.00

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Offered is a very fine example of the early maker's mark of noted Philadelphia silversmith Edward P. Lescure, who was working between 1822 and about 1836, and then intermittently through about 1861. While Lescure's later mark is well-known and seen periodically, this early mark is all but unknown, and perhaps only a tiny fraction of Lescure's extant work bears this mark. This spoon measures about 5 7/8 inches in length and weighs about 18 grams. It has a faded period engraved script monogram.... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190331-02   $32.50

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Offered is a scarce example of the mark of Washington, DC watchmaker and jeweler Jacob Karr, working in that city between 1857 and 1905; he died in 1917 at the age of 81, and was born in Germany, coming to the U.S. at the age of 11. For at least part of his tenure he was located at 348 Pennsylvania Avenue. Karr is known primarily as a watchmaker in that invented the "celebrated American chronometer"; he also serviced the chronometers and equipment at the Naval Observatory in Washington. This... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2393   Inquire for Price

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length 9 1/4 inches, weight 3.07 Troy ounces, no monogram, some light surface scratches which we've exaggerated here but fine overall condition.

A lovely complement to any "Berry in Calyx" holloware, this fine piece by craftsman Charles W Blanchard is not a commonly encountered pattern.

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20190302-02   $32.50

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Offered is a nicely decorated American coin silver turned-handle spreader or butter knife bearing a manufacturer's mark for James Watts of Philadelphia, circa the 1860s. This piece has engraved decoration and a period engraved script monogram. It measures about 7 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 33 grams. Condition is fair to good, with some wear and scratching consistent with normal use, but no bends, splits or repairs. All in all a nice piece for display or everyday use!