Old Friends
936a   $ 60

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In his comprehensive "Tiffany Silver Flatware," William Hood offers considerable commentary on the engraved versions of Tiffany's Antique pattern. The ivy design is well known, but there were others, which, inferring from Hood's comments, may not all be documented. This 6 3/16" long, heavy, sterling silver spoon is one such example that he did not cite. It is finely engraved in a grape leaf, fruit and tendril design. It sets upon a satin finish ground, and has a slightly upturned handle end ... Click for details

Old Friends
935a   SOLD

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This 5 5/8" long, sterling silver teaspoon is one in George Shiebler's "Flora" series. The pattern is Narcissus. The design remains well rendered, showing the fine detailing of the design. The bowl is free of tip wear, dings, burrs, or dents, although it does have surface scratches consistent with its age. There is a cursive "MB" monogram on the reverse. The marks on this are extensive, and include the Shiebler winged S, Sterling, Pat'd 89, a (date?) emblem, and Geo. W. Shiebler & Co. New Y... Click for details

Old Friends
934a   $ 22, multiples available

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Stamped B.B. & Co. and Sterling, this 4 5/8" long nut pick was retailed by New York's Ball, Black & Co., circa 1865. The maker might have been any of several quality producers, with William Gale being a strong possibility, as that firm produced a lot of this particular bead pattern. The piece is without a monogram, and in excellent condition. There is no polishing wear, and the pick end is free of nicks, burrs, or bends.

Old Friends
932a   $ 75 set

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These six matching, 5 3/4" long, sterling silver silver teaspoons are in Gorham's early 20th century "Jefferson." This is an engraved pattern, in a style reminiscent of spoons from the early Federal period. The design is clean and elegant, with a central rib, tipt end, and exposed drop, on the reverse. While slender looking, the group weighs a not insignificant 3.6 T. oz. They all have a cursive "W" monogram. There are no signs of wear, and the finishes are superb. Marks are the Gorham lio... Click for details

Old Friends
931a   $ 35

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Watson's King Philip dates from just after the turn of the 20th century, and its simplicity of design reflects the growing interest in elegant, neo-classical styles. It has a pointed end and double lined border, with a graceful curve to the handle. This is a large, 6" long, fairly heavy, slightly over 1.0 T. oz., sauce ladle. With its generously proportioned, helmut-shaped, and matte finish, bowl with flanged shoulders, it could even serve for gravy. The piece is in perfect condition. There... Click for details

Old Friends
930a   $ 40 pair

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Each of these dessert or oval soup spoons in Lunt's Windsor is 7 1/8" long and has an Old English "K" monogram. They are and fairly heavy, with the pair weighing 2.2 T. oz. Windsor is basically an "antique" design, with an especially broad handle, a pronounced reverse tipt end, and a slightly pointed bowl. The pattern traces back to the 1883, harkening back to the earliest years of the company. The condition is excellent. The bowls are well-shaped and free of dings, dents, or burrs, and the... Click for details

Old Friends
929a   SOLD

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Two features of Gorham's 1960's La Scala stand out. One is its extravagant, yet balanced, design. The second feature is the equally outspoke scale. This piece is a solid sterling silver cold meat fork. It is 8 1/8" long, and weighs a remarkable 2.7 T. oz. The condition is flawless, with a fine finish and no signs of wear. Marks are the Gorham's lion, anchor, G, and the company name and Sterling.

Old Friends
928a   $ 100 HOLD

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Gorham's Cambridge shares major design elements with Buttercup, save Cambridge has a gadrooned border that Buttercup lacks. This item is a somewhat scarce jelly trowel form. It is 8 1/8" long, and weighty. It is also in immaculate condition. There is no monogram or removal. The blade retains its original gold wash without any loss of color. The pattern is crisp and the finish is lustrous. Marks are lion, anchor, G, Sterling, Pat. 1899.

Old Friends
927a   $ 26 HOLD

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Towle's Rustic is a late 19th century scroll and bead design. This example is a 5 3/4" long sugar spoon with a matte finish, gold washed bowl that has a scalloped flange rim. It is in mint condition, as clean as the day it was produced. Marks are the Towle emblem, 925/1000, Sterling, and the name of the retailer, True Bros.

Old Friends
926a   $ 32

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This cheese server in Wallace's 1950's Waltz of Spring is an accommodating 6 3/4" long, and quite heavy at 1.3 T. oz. It is solid sterling silver (vs. a stainless blade), and without a monogram or monogram removal. It is in flawless condition and is stamped Wallace and Sterling, and has a deerhead emblem.

Old Friends
925a   SOLD

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Gorham's Paris is a fulsome design that dates from the turn of the 20th century. It features, appropriately, French figures. In this instance there is a man and a hound, as well as cherubs, birds, musical instruments, and an abundance of other embellishments. This piece is an 8 5/8" long serving spoon. It has a large, 3 1/4" by 2 1/4" rounded bowl. It is quite heavy, just breathing on 3.0 T. oz. There is no monogram or monogram removal. Marks are the Gorham lion, anchor, G, and the words... Click for details

Old Friends
924a   $ 145 HOLD

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Grape is a rarely found, engraved pattern that Gorham produced circa 1880. It varies considerably from other engraved designs of the period, in that it has its own distinct, five-lobed shank, or hub, as opposed to the antique or antique tipt form commonly employed by Gorham and other makers for bright cut patterns. This shape is similar to that later used on Gorham's Milan, and somewhat akin to Medici. An additional distinction is that pieces in this are all finished in a satin matte, as is t... Click for details

Old Friends
923a   $ 42

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At 6" long, this sterling silver spoon is Gorham's Luxembourg is probably for sugar. The bowl, however, is quite generously proportioned, so it may be for jelly. It is an old example in this line, with flanged and heavily decorated shoulders around the bowl. It also has the lion, anchor, G mark, along with the word Sterling. It is in immaculate condition, and without a monogram or monogram removal. There is no visible wear whatsoever, nor damage.

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver
1679   $150.00

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Length 3 1/2 inches, fine condition, no monogram. Scarce even without enamel, but quite rare with it.

Old Friends
921a   $ 275

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This 5 1/2" long, sterling silver ladle tells its own story, largely divulged in the marks. They are Georg Jensen's entwined G and J, used in the first decade of the 20th century. Additional marks are Sterling, Denmark, and 21, which is the pattern number. The piece is outstanding condition, with no signs of wear or damage.

Old Friends
920a   $ 185

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This 5 1/2" long, sterling silver fork is marked 21 (for the pattern), Sterling, Denmark, and Georg Jensen. It is a two-pronged pieced, and has a planished surface. It also has a curious added embellishment joining the leaf and berry to the shank at the arc of handle. Whether this is characteristic of smaller pieces, related to the date of the item, or just a peculiarity of this, those familiar with Jensen would have to opine. The condition is flawless.

Old Friends
919a   $ 165

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It is difficult to imagine this 6" long, and weighty, sterling silver sauce (or possibly shallow gravy) ladle did not find its inspiration from Georg Jensen's Blossom design. Made by Randahl, the intent may have been to demonstrate that this Chicago based operation could match, or even improve upon, the original. It is a thoroughly successful piece, very much embodying the best characteristics of Danish arts & crafts style. Marked "Hand Wrought Sterling" (along with Randahl and the number 268... Click for details

Old Friends
916a   $ 145

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No more perfect example of a century and one half old, sterling silver serving piece could be found than this 7" long sugar sifter. The pattern is Ruby, originated by John Polhamus and later taken over by George Shiebler. This piece is stamped "Pat. Aug. 30. 70," "Sterling," and has the name of the retailer, D. Austin & Co. Ruby incorporates an anthemion leaf, scrolling and a rosette in its design, yielding a classical look with a suggestion of Gothic. The bowl on this is shell-shaped, pierc... Click for details

Old Friends
915a   $ 675

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American decorative design impulses of the 19th century were nothing if not imaginative. This 8 1/4" long, circa 1870, sterling silver ice cream server is testament to that. It was made by New York's Wood & Hughes, as indicated by the WwH mark, and retailed by Louisville, Kentucky's Kitts & Werne, as stamped. The shank is a triple wire form surmounted by a twisted wire, dome-capped end. The blade is asymmetrical, is engraved on the interior, and finished in a matte, bronze-colored gold wash.... Click for details

Old Friends
913a   $ 240

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At 6" long, these eight, matching sterling silver cream soups are larger than bouillons and smaller than gumbo spoons. The round bowls are 1 3/4" in diameter. The pattern is Frank's Smith Federal Cotillion aka Edward VII. The design is virtually indistinguishable from Whiting's King Edward. Both patterns date from 1901, coincident with the assumption of Edward VII to the English throne. This is a heavy pattern, with the six pieces weighing nearly 8.0 T. oz. The condition is excellent estat... Click for details