Old Friends  
1334mt   $ 65

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A combination of Moresque and Egyptian Revival elements, Knowles' "Webster" is an elaborate design dating from 1882. This example is a 7 3/8" long, approximately 1.1 T. oz., master butter knife. There is an Old English "A" monogram on the handle, and Aesthetic style engraving on the blade. The condition is flawless. There is very slight overall polishing softening, otherwise the piece shows no signs of use. Marks are the Knowles emblem, "Sterling," "Pat-82," the number "2," and the name of ... Click for details

Old Friends  
1329fr   $ 485

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This pair of English, sterling silver asparagus tongs are fully marked for London, 1800. The maker's punch is "IB" for which there are several possibilities, the likeliest being John Blake. English asparagus tongs are of a type, and this pair follow along after the form. They measure 9 1/2" long and weigh a substantial 6.5 T. oz. There is a single crossbar that is secured into place with two silver screws. The grips are narrow and grooved so to hold the asparagus spears. One of the grips h... Click for details

Old Friends  
1323f   $ 145

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An early 20th century pattern, Gorham's "Buckingham" resembles "Chantilly" with a Georgian slant. The two designs share a similar outline, but Buckingham adds a scroll and leaf top that is more pronounced than Chantilly's simpler tip. It is a heavy line, and that is reflected in the 2.9 T. oz. weight of this 6 3/4" long pair of ice tongs. One grip is bowl form and pierced, while the opposing grip is claw form and highly detailed. The pair are in perfect condition, with no monogram or removal... Click for details

Old Friends  
1322f   $ 75

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This Art Nouveau "Iris" or "Orchid" pattern by Shiebler is not a full line design and may have only been produced in this form, which is a bon bon or nut spoon. It measures 4 7/8" long and is somewhat light, weighing under .5 T. oz. The design is particularly expressive, as would be expected of a Shiebler offering. The iris blossom is incorporated into the bowl, with the piercings defined by the margins of the petals. The bowl border is festooned with what appear to be ribbons. This had an ... Click for details

Old Friends  
1316fb   $ 110

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Whiting's "Alhambra" is a Moorish design dating from 1880 and draws from the same stylistic impulses as that company's "Arabesque." This is a rare form, long-handle pickle fork. In addition to the exceptional length, 9 3/8", it has a twist stem that constitutes about two-thirds of the run of the handle. The fork tip has three tines, the outer two of which are splayed and hooked. This is finished in a gold wash which also runs about an inch up the stem. The piece is fully original, without a... Click for details

Richards Antiques  
  $45

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Nice small ladle by Blackinton with pierced decoration in the bowl. Length is 5 inches. There is a single script letter lightly engraved on the handle. We have not been able to identify the pattern.

Richards Antiques  
  $200 SOLD

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Particularly handsome pierced olive spoon in the rare Dauphin pattern by Durgin, first made in 1897. Just a tad longer than 6 inches, this piece is skillfully pierced and very well finished on front and back, a sign of the care lavished on American sterling flatware by the better manufacturers in the late 19th century. There is a delicate script monogram on the back of the handle. More photographs are available and can be emailed on request.

Richards Antiques  
  $95 SOLD

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Silver baby food pushers are scarce,and this one is particularly so because it is in the rare Narcissus pattern by Unger Brothers. Narcissus dates from 1890. The name "Edith" is smartly engraved on the business end of the piece.

Richards Antiques  
  $48 SOLD

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Master butter serving knife in Gorham's most popular pattern, Chantilly. Never monogrammed. Length is 6¾ inches; weight is 0.94 troy ounces. Marked on the back: GORHAM STERLING.

Richards Antiques  
  $180 SOLD

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These came out of a Maine estate —six demitasse spoons in the desirable Art Nouveau Lily pattern by Whiting, first made in 1902. They are very crisp with a very elegant period script monogram. They are four inches long and weigh a total of 2.41 troy ounces. Detailed photographs are available and will be emailed on request.

Old Friends  
1312fr   $ 195

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Stamped with the Gorham lion, anchor, G, "Pat. 71," and "Sterling," this 5 5/8" long, 1.0 T. oz., cream ladle is a fine period piece. The pattern is Corinthian, which falls generally in a Moresque style with, as implied by the name, a nod toward classical Greek design. The piece is a form commonly referred to as a "bucket ladle." The term derives from the shape of the bowl which is this case is 7/8" deep and 1 1/2" across at the top. The sidewalls are tapered and the interior is finished in b... Click for details

Old Friends  
1310f   $ 65

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This 4 1/4" long, relatively heavy .9 T. oz., cream or sauce ladle is in Tuttle's rarely found "Basket of Flowers" pattern. This has a shell back as well, fully in keeping with the early 19th century designs that Tuttle often replicated. Also consistent with the Tuttle tradition, this includes the sitting president's initials in the marking system. In this case the letters are "FR" for Franklin Roosevelt, and "VII" for the seventh year of his term, i.e. 1939 (the stamp is double struck, but f... Click for details

Old Friends  
1307fb   $ 55

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"La Reine" is a late 19th century, high relief, asymmetrical scroll design produced by Beed & Barton. It is a heavy line as evidenced by the nearly 1.2 T. oz. weight of this 6" long sugar spoon. Attractive in its own right, with a decorative, embellished, matte finish, three-lobe bowl, this has added appeal in that it was a 25th anniversary presentation item, presumably wedding. The interior of the bowl is inscribed "1869 Hurlbert 1894" in exceptionally fine lettering. It is in perfect condi... Click for details

Old Friends  
1306fb   $ 60

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"Undine" references a water nymph whose name has been attached to works of literature, art, music, ships, and popular culture. Wood & Hughes used it in the 19th century for a line of silver. The design is singular, comprising an asymmetrical leaf and floral motif with scrolling edges that, given the associations in the name, might be inspired by waves. It is a highly textured and intricately worked pattern. The background has a stippled surface that, again prompted by the name, might be mea... Click for details

Old Friends  
1300fb   $ 30

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This silver bon bon or nut spoon measures 5 3/8" long and weighs .5 T. oz. The pattern is "Poppy" by Baker-Manchester. Poppy is an early 20th century, Art Nouveau design of considerable appeal. This has a three section bowl with a scalloped edge, flanged rim. This is in exceptionally fine condition, showing no wear or damage, and having a fine finish. Marks are the Baker-Manchester "M" flanged by birds, and the word "Sterling."

Old Friends  
1297fb   $ 40

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This 5 7/8" long, weighty, 1.0 T. oz., teaspoon is three items in one. Made by International, it is "December" in a series of month spoons. Second, it is an extremely attractive pattern piece portraying holly in a high relief, sculpted manner. The design appears on both front and back sides of the handle. Third, it is a souvenir spoon, engraved "McPherson Kan" in the bowl in a fancy script. The backside of the bowl is engraved "1908." There is a Wikipedia entry for McPherson and it shows a... Click for details