Old Friends  
1663fl   $ 60

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Measuring 5 1/2" long and weighing 1.2 T. oz., this sterling silver cream ladle is an old example of Gorham's "Chantilly." It is is flawless condition and without a monogram or removal. There is no polishing wear and the finish is lustrous. The lobed bowl has flanged shoulders and has a bright gold wash finish on the interior. Marks are the Gorham lion, anchor, G, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1895."

Old Friends  
1662fn   $ 150 pair

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Reference material on "G. Weckman," the name stamped on this pair of 8" long, 3.0 T. oz. combined weight, tablespoons is not readily accessible. Presumably the mark is for Gustaf Adolf Weckman, born in Hameenlinna, Finland, with dates 1823-1901. He is described in a genealogical source as a "master gold and silversmith." In 2011, the auction house Bukowski's, which describes itself as "the leading Nordic art auction house" offered a bowl by him that was well received judging by the hammer pri... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2150   $65.00

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length 5 3/4 inches, weight .77 oz. Troy, excellent condition, monogrammed "S". It is safe to assume that the olive fork was made in at least two sizes, this being the shortest.

Old Friends  
1661f   $ 115

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While unnamed, this c. 1870 design by George Sharp is quite similar to Gorham's "Louis XIV" and Knowles' "Emperor," both of the same period. It is double die struck, meaning the pattern appears on both sides of the piece. This example is a 6 1/2" long, 1.2 T. oz. sauce ladle. The handle is slender and elongated looking, and is joined to a 2" diameter, round shell bowl with a scalloped rim and a flat bottom. This is finished on both sides with a bright gold wash that extends up to the lower o... Click for details

Old Friends  
1660f   $ 240 set

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Dating from 1875, Wood & Hughes' "Cellini" falls into the Renaissance Revival style that was popular in the period. This set of matching ice cream spoons measure 5 9/16" long each and weigh 4.7 T. oz. the set. They have ovoid bowls with flanged rims and matte finish interiors. Both sides of the bowls had gold washes, with the backsides retaining more of this detail than the fronts. There are no monograms or removals and the condition of all eight pieces is flawless. There is no evidence of ... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2149   $325.00

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length 5 5/8 inches, total Troy weight 6.22 ounces, superb condition, faintly gilt tines, monogrammed as shown (please see third photo).

These are particularly choice examples, extra heavy, with excellent detail and die depth. To my eye, this is one of R & B's most attractive designs. For further discussion of what makes a pattern aesthetically successful, see Design New England, November-December 2012, pp. 60-64

Old Friends  
1658f   $ 525

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Made by John Wendt, this 9 1/4" long, approximately 2.2 T. oz., berry spoon is marked "Shreve, Stanwood & Co." for the c. 18060-69 Boston retailer which was a predecessor to today's Shreve, Crump & Low. It is also marked "Sterling." It has a tubular shank consistent with a form employed by Wendt on other patterns. The handle end is a shaped disk with finely engraved margins. The defining element of the piece is the cast and applied cluster of strawberries with an entwining ribbon. This is a... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2147   SOLD

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length 6 1/8 inches, weight .91 oz Troy, excellent condition, monogrammed "E.H.Y" (reverse, old English),retailed by Hart Brothers of Brooklyn, NY.

Even for Wendt, this is an exceptionally stylish little piece of silver, with chamfered edges on tines which are fully engraved, front and back.

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2146   $495.00

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with high relief cast bust of Van Dyck, length 9 inches, weight 3.24 Troy ounces, no monogram. Truly one of Antoine Heller's greatest designs, and among Gorham's most sculptural patterns.

There is a file cut (visible from side and reverse only; see fourth photo) which we've pictured in excruciating detail, and some light pitting on the blade which we've mostly polished out and probably will address a bit more, as ... Click for details

Old Friends  
1656f   $ 135 set

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Originally made in twelve different images as a part of a set, Gorham's number 18 coffee spoons appear in that company's 1892 catalog (see image 3). This group encompasses eight of those original designs. All of them are marked lion, anchor, G, "18," and "Sterling." Each spoon measures 4 1/4" long, while the eight together weigh 2.6 T. oz. The bowls all have matching shell and scroll interior surfaces. The imagery on the cast (rather than die struck) handles varies. Two are figural, one of... Click for details

Old Friends  
1655f   $ 45 pair

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Fully marked for maker Stephen Adams I of London, with an 1819 date letter, and a lion for sterling silver, these two matched master salt spoons form a handsome pair. Each one measures 4 1/8" long while the two together weigh just over .7 T. oz., which feels weighty. They have reverse tipt ends, exposed drops, and feathered script "TSK" monograms. They are in mint estate condition, showing no signs of wear and having fine finishes.

Old Friends  
1653f   $ 70

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Gorham's "Medallion" was the pattern of choice offered by mid 1860's Tiffany & Co. when it was only a retailer and not a manufacturer. This 5 7/8" long, .8 T. oz., ice cream spoon is an example of this partnership. It is stamped lion, anchor, G for Gorham, "Pat. 1864," "Tiffany & Co.," and "Sterling" on the plain backside. The figure is a youthful helmeted male warrior. The blunt end bowl has a ribbed interior and notched and slightly flanged shoulders. The bowl evidences very scant traces ... Click for details

Old Friends  
1651f   $ 135

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Illustrated in the 1894 Gorham catalog (see image 2), this is one of at least two specialized butter picks that company offered at the time. It has a singular style that broadly falls into the Aesthetic mode. The end is formed from four graduated balls that sit atop each other. This unit is supported by a sawtooth edge collar that forms the cap of a twisted central shank. One more ball is placed between the shank and the actual pointed pick end. It measures 7" long and weighs .7 T. oz. whic... Click for details

Old Friends  
1649fa   $ 100

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This 8 1/8" long, heavy, approximately 1.8 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon is fully marked for 1761, sterling, and London. The maker's stamp is a script "HN" which the standard reference work by Grimwade, third edition addenda, identifies as belonging to Nicholas Hearnden "rather than Nathaniel Horwood as previously suggested." (p. 752) This is heavily chased, no doubt added in the Victorian era. This work is to quite a high standard. The scalloped edged bowl incorporates a very high r... Click for details

Old Friends  
1646b   $ 135 HOLD

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Dating c. 1900, Gorham's "H" series items designate a premier line of largely serving pieces. This example is item "H47." It is a 5 1/8" long, heavy, over 1.5 T. oz., bon bon or nut scoop. It is cast rather than die struck and exhibits the intricacy of detail that technique enables. This includes a muted, slightly gray-hued finish, and a finely stippled background. The design employs scroll and acanthus leaf elements and features a lion-like figure in the upper center of the reticulated bow... Click for details

Old Friends  
1644f   $ 45

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A specialized piece dating c. 1900, this 5 3/8" long, just over .6 T. oz., item portrays its purpose in its imagery. It is an orange spoon made by Reed & Barton, whose hallmark and the word "Sterling" appear on the backside of the handle. Not a line pattern, this exhibits exceptional crafting in its high relief, highly detailed, and extra finely finished portraiture. A cluster of three oranges surrounded by leaves and blossoms surmount a tubular stem which has a pair of leaves added as a bit ... Click for details