John R. Wendt trained for his craft in Germany before moving to Boston, and around 1860 to New York in order to provide silver largely to Ball, Black & Co. His patterns were creative and his work excellent. 'Ribbon' was introduced ca. 1870, using a variety of delicate design elements that seem to layer the length of the upper handle like 'ribbons' which are held in place with two bands and terminate under a small bead...

“Oval Thread” was very popular during the coin period. At that time, knives were not made to match the pattern but were purchased separately, and this one went with many patterns. The picture shows 6 knives, but only 5 of them are coin – the 6th is plated and is included at no charge as a “completer.” The knives have no structural problems – no bends or burrs or pitting...

The death of George Washington is usually credited with this variation in the austere taste in silver that was popular in America at the end of the 18th Century. With the otherwise rounded corners of the spoons beveled to suggest a coffin, this style is considered by many as a uniquely American invention. Longer, more pointed bowls complete the visual suggestion of length from the straight handles of the 7 spoons...

Simple but elegant and classic, the cannon handle of the knife is topped with a finial that echoes the tip. The handle is engraved with what appear to be a sort of diapering of dart-and-egg motifs along the shaft, with a border of acanthus. The blade is also classic, with engraved foliage relieving the otherwise plain surfact...

These are very attractive spoons, 5.25 long, with a twisted shank terminating in a rounded flat end with a Japanesque bright-cut décor that is in keeping with other patterns ca. 1880. The bowls have raised ridges (to keep the ice cream from sticking?) and have very pale suggestions of original gold treatment...

It's hard to say who actually made these spoons – they are unsigned, but marked simply “COIN 3,” and an (unknown) retailer G. Cram – but the habits of both William B. Durgin and Knowles & Ladd which sometimes included that practice, i.e., silver content and a numeral, could argue for either, and their uncommon design would seem to reinforce that assumption. The handles are straight-edged and terminate in 5 lobes...

The elaborate hollow handles of this lovely set speak for their Victorian origins, balanced by traditional sterling blades. These were likely part of a set, but large for a fruit / dessert set at 8.5 inches (knife) and 7.4 inches (fork). Hallmarked for London 1849 (knife) and 1852 (fork), the maker could have been either George W. Adams or George Angell (identical marks)...

Arthur Stone (1847-1938) is often called “The Dean of American Silversmiths.” As an English born and trained silversmith, Arthur Stone's work embodied the fine workmanship associated with English silver, and with the individuality he found so appealing in early American forms. He produced both ecclesiastical and domestic silver. The shop he opened in 1901 trained many fine silversmiths in the hand-wrought method. This serving fork, in a Pointed Antique style, is heavy...

Hanau, Germany, was a center for silversmiths from the mid-19th century to the first decades of the 20th century, and whose major works involved copying or recreating antique styles in flatware and holloware. Its special status allowed it to be free of the marking system that was incumbent on all other German cities, and many are not completely known today...

The Old English form of the 6 sterling spoons is dressed with a lovely and traditional diamond hand-cut and engraved design by highly respected London silversmith Thomas Dealtry who was entered into the goldsmiths' registry in 1765. They are hallmarked for 1802 with the mark Dealtry registered in 1799. The spoons are 5 inches long, and their condition is very, very good. There are no dents or pits, and no bends to the handles, which have an appropriate (and attractive) Gothic 'P' monogram...

The Gaylord Farm Sanatorium was a tuberculosis rehabilitation center in Wallingford, CT, and was run by New Haven County, CT. The Gaylord Silvercraft Workshop was established there in 1925 to provide vocational and occupational training for patients. It produced many items of jewelry and household / table items until its closing in 1944; those were sold in the Workshop store and to small dealers and stores...

These are older D & H Pointed Antique / Broad Antique knives – introduced in 1895 – with stainless French Modern replacement blades marked “Brilliant.” They are 9-1/8 in. long and bear a lovely Arts & Crafts monogram. They are marked only “sterling handle” which is very common for knives, but I got them with several other pieces of Dominick & Haff of the same vintage with the same monogram, so I'm comfortable with the identification. Two handles rattle sometimes, but are quite fi...