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...

This charming lemon fork has a handle with gold lemons and green leaves cut out on the handle which terminates in traditionally splayed tines. The condition is excellent, the enamel intact, without scratches or bends. Length is 4.75 inches and the weight is 8 grams.

This lovely little fork is probably a place fork – ramekin? Pickle? Dessert? At 5.4 inches, it seems a bit short for anything else. It could be used as a small serving fork. The pattern dates to 1898 – 3 years before Howard Sterling Co. went into receivership. The handle has a fluted texture from which spring acanthus leaves forming the lacy architecture of the remaining handle. The ovate blade of the fork is simple but graceful. There is no monogram...

'Marie Antoinette' was brought out by Alvin Corp. in 1890; it is reminiscent of French Napoleon III patterns, a sort of fiddle form with motifs of laurel, honeysuckle, and cones. The fork is in fine condition. A large Gothic monogram E is in the cartouche of the handle. Length is 6 inches, weight is 16 grams.

This fork is not marked, but surely silver plate and probably English. The condition is excellent, with no plate missing, no bubbling or flaking, despite its (probably) 100 years. “Prince Albert,” named for Queen Victoria's consort, was introduced before 1850 and became a standard English pattern which proved popular in the United States during the coin period. The bread fork – a Victorian introduction – was meant to be passed with the bread plate. This one is 6.75 in.

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 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...

Condition of this 150-year old salt spoon is very good. The threaded handle is double struck and encloses a honeysuckle vine which forms a cartouche on both sides. There is a monogram in script, Kettell, in the cartouche on the top of the handle. Even the bowl is free of salt damage. The length is 3-11/16 in. and it weighs 10g. Westervelt's mark is on the back of the handle.

This fork is an example of a prolific maker of reproduction pieces that were marketed around 1900 – coinciding with the rise of the Arts & Crafts movement – as hand-made items based on antique forms. The mark on the underside – (925)(000) – is a uniform mark on all pieces I've ever seen. Some are plain, and some are decorated with a wreath, ribbons, and a shield like this fork. All pieces appear to be heavy and a tad awkward in their execution...

This set of 6 stainless fish knives and forks probably dates from the early to middle part of the 20th Century. The form is Old English Tipt, a timeless pattern. Harrison Fisher has been a knife maker in Sheffield (England) for over 150 years. The set is very good quality – nicely balanced and in very good condition – I would guess they were little used. The knife is 8 in. and the fork is 6.75 in. They are marked with HF & Co...

Clematis is a lovely pattern introduced by Gorham in 1885. It was first acid-etched – that is, the pattern is revealed by etching of the surface with an acid bath – and the details were then hand- engraved to provide the multi-textured surface that is characteristic of this pattern... there is the sense of a vine that follows the form of the spoon's upper handle, with the leaves and flowers springing from that vine...

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.