Old French is a beautiful Gorham pattern patented in 1904 which was based on the early French thread, with the suggestion of a soft “tip” that marked the French prototype. Like its predecessor, Old French is heavy with simple elegance. There are 5 dinner knives (9.75 in.), and two groups – one of 5, and one of 2 – of luncheon knives (8.75 in.), all with old French stainless blades...

The sculptural design of this piece is similar to those of Jensen and others using new forms in the Scandinavian silver world just after the turn of the 20th Century. This graceful version of a lily, cut to reveal its curvilinear elements on an otherwise flat surface, is very similar to one done in sterling (ca. 1910) also by Axel Prip which appears in sterling as shown on p...

This boxed set contains 12 knives (7 in.) and 12 forks (6 in.) in a Chippendale pattern manufactured by Lutz & Weiss of Pforzheim, Germany, introduced sometime in the early 1900s. They are marked with Lutz & Weiss's mark, 800, and the Imperial half-moon and crown. These can be used for fruit, cocktails, cheese, pastry, or many other things. The fitted paper-covered box (which has damage about 2 in. x ¾ in...

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...

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 fish slice / knife / server as it evolved in the 19th Century took the form of its blade from the body of a headless and tailless fish. John Westervelt's interpretation includes an engraved medallion head inscribed in a roundel on the handle, very likely that of Oceanus, whose body was that of a fish. This piece is decorated by neo-classical motifs – acanthus, dart-and-egg, floral sprays – in engraving, bright-cutting, and engine-turning...

“Beaded” became a “standard pattern” – that is, there were many makers and versions from ca. 1850 through the coin period. Philadelphia's is distinguished by the inclusion of a fleur de lys at the top and bottom of the handle. This group bears the mark of Philadelphia retailer C. Bard & Son. There is wear to the pattern, more on the forks than the spoons (see enlargements; the first 2 pics are the forks, the next 3 the spoons)...

The work of Poul Petersen (1895-1977) is recognizable through its affinity to that of George Jensen (whose daughter he married), with whom he had trained prior to emigrating from Denmark to Canada in 1929. A skilled craftsman, he employed over 20 workmen in his studio, where the output was hand-wrought...

Animals – hounds, squirrels, rabbits, and foliage – oak leaves, acorns, berries – decorate the plated handles of this youth knife and fork, with pond lilies and fish on the fork's reverse. The stainless knife blade is marked “Mirrorstele,” (a trademark name registered to Reed & Barton since 1926) and “Reed & Barton.” There are shallow scratches commensurate with age, but the pattern is crisp and there is no indication of wear through the plate.

Hindostanee, introduced in 1878, epitomized the Romantic movement – the pursuit of the exotic in places such as the Ancient Near East, North Africa, and India. Gorham's interpretation invoked the curving lines and patterns associated with the Indian designs found in woodworking, tile, textiles and metals. This delicacy of line is contained in a stylized mango leaf which follows the form of the handle. The tines are bright-cut on an acid-etched surface...

Typical of Martin Hall (Sheffield), these 2 berry spoons are very well made, with close attention to detail. They are silver plate, 8 in. long, and date from ca. 1875. The bowls are scalloped; the upper – twisted – half of the handles spring from skeletal figures and are topped with plinths supporting St. Peter. The whole is acid-etched, and both bowls and apostles have light gold-washed finishes...

Typical of the tension between form and design that evolved in Europe around 1900, the traditional pointed antique form of this cake knife and its sculptural, floral decoration combine in a pleasing silver handle which is complemented by an elegantly simpler gold-washed blade with light engraving. The handle is marked only with a small stamp '800' which doesn't conform to most Continental guarantee marks other than, perhaps, Italy. The silk-lined case, which shows some superficial wear, has t...