Old Friends  
1022f  

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Having two slightly splayed tines with scalloped inner edges, this 5 11/16" long item is an olive or pickle fork. The pattern is Gorham's turn of the 20th century Florentine. This is a highly expressive and stylistic design that features a bearded Renaissance figure at the end of the handle. This is accompanied by additional elaborate thematic elements. It is a weighty pattern and that is reflected in this. The piece is in flawless condition and without a monogram or removal. Marks are lio... Click for details

Old Friends  
1020f   $ 185 HOLD

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Measuring 4 3/8" long, this c. 1885 tea caddy spoon is a characteristic Tiffany form, with a rectangular bowl that has flanged and flared shoulders. It is model number 897, as stamped on the backside, along with Tiffany & Co., Sterling, and "M." It feels much heftier than its .9 T. oz weight, and the sense of substance is part of what defines the piece. The design is aesthetic, with an emphasis on beading portrayed in a way that creates a sense of waves or sea elements. There is a script "GG... Click for details

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1018f  

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One of Reed & Barton's flagship early 20th century Art Nouveau designs, Les Six Fleurs is an opulent floral interpretation. This example is an authentic, old example, not a reissue or reproduction. It is a 4 3/4" long, .8 T. oz., nut spoon with a solid bowl. The detail on the design is exquisitely rendered, showing remarkable detail for an item this scale. This is a script "JAL" monogram on the backside. The overall condition is superb. Marks are the Reed & Barton emblem, Sterling, and "Pa... Click for details

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1017f   $ 65

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Whiting's late 19th century Blossom is a lesser known pattern in that company's stable, and one in which examples are not commonly found. This piece is a 6 1/4" long, .9 T. oz., sauce ladle with a 1 3/4" diameter, 3/4" deep, round bowl. The handle is narrow with about half its length being a twisted stem. The upper portion features a highly textured floral design from which the pattern obviously takes its name. The bowl has a crimped and scalloped border and plain interior. There is no mono... Click for details

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1016f   $ 40

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The partnership of New York City's Gale & Willis has narrow dates, 1859-62, setting the age of this 6 5/8" long, 1.0 T. oz. including the hollow handle fill, youth knife quite closely. It has a solid sterling silver blade. The blade carries the marks, which are Gale & Willis, Patent 1860, and 925 Sterling. The handle is engraved "?.D.P." in Old English lettering. The condition is good. The handle retains clear pattern detail, although the monogram shows polishing wear. There are no splits,... Click for details

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1014f   $ 220 pair

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This matching fork and spoon present as a mystery. The only mark is an "A.R" in a punch. They are large and heavy and read Continental, possibly north German or Danish, or French, with estimated dates ranging from the late 18th to mid 19th centuries. They are a commanding form set large scale. The spoon measures 8 5/8" long and weighs 2.2+ T. oz. The fork is 8 1/2" long and weighs barely less than the spoon. Each of them has the same feathered script "P" monogram and an applied shell on th... Click for details

Old Friends  
1012f   $ 24

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Fairfax is a classic pattern that was introduced by Durgin in 1910 and continued in production by Gorham until the present. This 4 7/8" long lemon fork is an old piece, made by Durgin, stamped with the "D" emblem and the words Sterling and "Pat.'D." It is in very good estate condition and without a monogram or removal. Apart from fine line surface scratches, there are no signs of use.

Old Friends  
1011f   $ 65

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This pair of tongs bear hallmarks for Finland, with a date code of 1946, and a silver standard marks of "813H," less than sterling's 925. The full marks also include a couched lion, a crown, and a third emblem which tell in sum more of the particulars of the piece. They measure 4 1/2" long when closed, have a spread of 1 3/4" at the grips when open, and weigh not quite .9 T. oz. The handles are open and feature a Rose of Hildesheim design, while the grips are leaf form and finished in a gold ... Click for details

Old Friends  
1010f   SOLD

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Durgin made two versions of a strawberry fork with a strawberry motif on them. One was an unusual, stubby shape, and the other the traditional long and slender design. This example is the latter form, measuring 4 3/4" long. Along with the Durgin "D" and the word Sterling, this is stamped "B.K. & Co." for Boston's retail store Bigelow, Kennard & Company. There is no monogram or removal. It has a bit of softening on the design from polishing, but is otherwise in flawless condition.

Old Friends  
1009f   $ 26 two available

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Made by Towle and Patented in 1892 according to the mark on the reverse (other marks are Sterling and the Towle emblem), the Princess pattern incorporates delicate scroll and floral elements in it design. This item is a 5" long, three tine strawberry fork. It is in excellent condition and without a monogram or removal.

Old Friends  
1007f   $ 145

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Massachusetts' Vincent Ferrini is a well-referenced and apparently well-regarded jewelry designer and manufacturer dating from the second half of the 20th century. His work is held in both permanent museum collections and has been incorporated in exhibits. He also produced silverware of which examples are less extant. This item is a 9 1/2" long, heavy, 1.8 T. oz., sterling silver olive spoon with a fork-tipped bowl. It is of sufficient size to serve as a martini stirrer. It is obviously han... Click for details

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1005f   $ 195

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Frank Whiting's late 19th century George III is a distinct kings variant pattern. It incorporates acanthus leaf and shell design elements arranged in an asymmetrical mannner. This example is a generously sized, 10 7/8" long, heavy, 3.0 T. oz., solid sterling silver cake knife or saw. It has the characteristic saw tooth top edge of a cake knife, with the blade on the same plane as the handle. There is a fancy period style "M" monogram. The condition is excellent. There are some fine line sc... Click for details

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1003f   $ 285

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This cake server in Gorham's Corinthian is a highly unusual form and comes in its original presentation box. The item is 10 1/4" long, and has a narrow, extended blade, rather than the broad, diamond shape of most pastry servers. This in turn has high, cupped shoulders and a central vee leading to a pointed tip. The surface is intricately engraved in a fashion that mirrors the elements of the pattern. Its purpose is incontrovertible, as the original paper label on the underside of the 11 1/4... Click for details

Old Friends  
1001f   $ 80 each, two available

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Dauphin has proven to be one of Durgin's most enduringly successful patterns. The highly decorative design features a crossed ribbon border and a center motif that is comprised of clusters of roses. There is a triple shell element where the handle joins the bowl. This item is a 7" long, heavy, 1.7 T. oz., dessert or oval soup spoon. The backside has a "KFB" script monogram. It is an early production item, with the name of the retailer, W.E. Wright (Keene, NH?) stamped on the reverse edge of... Click for details

Old Friends  
1000f   $ 75

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This sterling silver table or place spoon measures 7 13/16" long and weighs 1.8 T. oz. It has hallmarks for London, 1763. The maker's stamp is set at a cant, but appears to read "R B." It has a Hanoverian up tipped end and a shellback bowl with a bow detail. It is monogrammed "H" over "I + M" on the reverse. The condition is very good. The bowl shows modest tip wear and has some pebbling in the base. The marks are legible. The design on the heel shows some blurring from rubbing but remains di... Click for details

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999f   $ 75

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This sterling silver table or place spoon measures 7 7/8" long and weighs just under 1.6 T. oz. It has hallmarks for London, 1780, and a "W C" maker's stamp, probably William Cripps. It has a Hanoverian up tipped end and a scrollback bowl. There is an especially appealing monogram on the reverse that reads "B * I" over "T * L" in block letters, and the date "1786." It is in very good condition. The bowl shows slight tip wear and has some faint pebbling in the base. The marks are fully legib... Click for details