'Louis XIV' (patented in 1870) was one of the many innovative patterns introduced by Gorham following the coin period, this one using suggestions of classical elements – column, arches, volutes, dart-and-egg in a new way, with a very pleasing result. The spoon is in excellent condition – no bends, dents, pits or burrs – only superficial scratches expected with age. It is 8.75 in., 54 g., and has a lovely script monogram CEL on the reverse.

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...

Whiting's “Alhambra,” which was introduced in 1880 during a decade full of patterns with exotic references to places and cultures that defined the Romantic period. The handle is a fluted column topped by a geometric form filled with threaded tendrils on a textured background and a central cartouche which contains a script monogram H. The bowl is an elongated shell form with alternating rounded and pointed edges...

Ricco / Ricci Argentieri is a very old Italian silver manufacturer that claims to use 10 times the normal amount of silver in the plating process. The “Bernini” pattern displays light classic elements – volute, acanthus, thread, shell – on the handle, and the serving blade echoes the shape of the handle. This handsome, solid piece is well-finished and has not been used, showing only the scratches that came from storage drawer in the store. It is 10.5 in. long...

The pleasing use of acid etching to define the floral surface of 'Clematis' (introduced in 1885) combines with delicate engraving of leaves and vine to give new life to a standard Old English pattern. The bowl is elongated with a suggestion of honeysuckle in the repousse treatment, and terminates in a soft point. It might have been used for pudding, but certainly shouldn't be limited to that! There are remains of gold wash in the bowl...

Gorham introduced 'Old Baronial' in 1998, during the tenure of William Codman as chief of design at Gorham. Codman's background in restoration of medieval objects is evident in this pattern which invokes the revival of the Gothic period in Baronial Europe – in this case, the blending of a lion's head with foliate, scroll and floral motifs. The spoon is in very fine condition with no problems whatever, a touch over 8.5 in. long and it weighs 80 grams...

Nordic silver of the 20th Century is in a class of its own – attempts to copy it seem to fall short. This spoon embodies the the frequent simplicity of plain and flat surfaces relieved by something organic and sculptural often encountered in modern Danish patterns. The handle's length and width are emphasized by a sharp, straight line down the center, terminating with a curved, bowl of flowers. The shape of the bowl echoes the curves of the flower bowl, which could be sitting atop a column...

This was probably a place spoon – larger than English or American counterparts at 9-1/8 inches. The type – a 'reverse tipt' – spoon was made in virtually every silver-producing country in the 19th Century, and fits easily with the city mark for Kronstadt – modern Brasov – for 1850. Kronstadt was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1850, but is now in Romania. With the city mark is the letter N, – it could be a year code, but I have been unable to get the mark closer than ca...

This lovely Whiting sterling pattern has only recently been identified as “La France,'' having previously been known as “Roses and Scroll” or whatever the viewer might choose. It doesn't seem to have been a full line pattern, but one that people are often drawn to. The handle shows a softening of the pattern and is punctuated by a shallow N monogram. The pointed bowl has light but even remnants of gold wash with a small and very shallow dent that is mentioned for clarity...

Northern California's silver industry was a natural outgrown of the discovery of silver there in 1849, and several jewelers and silversmiths emigrated to San Francisco to contribute to the new economic wealth that was California's. Several businesses emerged, many making or selling the same patterns in silver...

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...

The pattern is an unnamed one (although sometimes called 'Queen of the Sea' to distinguish it) attributed Philo Gilbert of New York, ca, 1860, but seldom sold with his mark. Rather, a multitude of retailers – including Gorham and Shiebler – have appeared on examples of this pattern; these are marked with New York City jeweler Giles, Wales & Co...