Deep front rib, c1770 -- crisp ll-lobe shell drop on the bowl back, block mono E B on reverse, 4-5/8" long. Touch of tipwear, otherwise in fine condition.

Oval-end handle, c1790 -- pointed arch drop, reverse tipt, ornate feathered script mono L M on front. Length is 9-3/8". Combined weight is 22+ T oz. Condition is excellent, extended bowl tips unworn. Bowne worked in Middletown Twp., NJ, and NYC, from 1778-1818.

Downturned fiddle handles, c1825 -- reverse tipt, 6 with slightly pointed shoulders, 6 with rounded shoulders, all with a feathered script mono T.W.B. on front; 7" in length. All in near-mint condition.

When these tongs were made, Chittenden was working in New Haven. The tongs have cast extensions on the fiddlethread arms, ending in shell nips (see pic); there is a feathered script mono A T R on the bend. Length of the tongs is 5-3/4". Condition throughout is excellent. Mark is B C, struck on both arms. It may be found in Hammerslough's tome on Connecticut silver.

Downturned fiddle handle, c1820 -- pointed shoulders, feathered script mono N B on front; 6" in length. Condition is mint, extended bowl tips unworn. Dole was known for the artistry of his spoons, with their long graceful handles and well-turned bowls (see Flynt & Fales).

19" x 14-1/4" oval, applied openwork scrolls and roses at ends, similar scrolls at sides; shaded gothic mono J in center; 42 Troy oz. Condition is excellent.

Oval-end handle, c1800 -- feathered script mono T H C on front; 8-1/2" long. This spoon is also marked IWG for John Ward Gethen, also of Philly, which presents a bit of a puzzle. Both Black and Gethen were silversmiths, the first starting his career in 1795, the latter in 1811. It could be that Gethen added the piece to his inventory and sold it out of his shop. The spoon is in excellent condition, the extended bowl tip unworn...

Double-swell fiddle handle, c1860 -- by Jeremiah Gray, Richmond, ME -- flared shoulders, feathered script mono A.H.G. on front; 6" in length. Most unusual is the decoration -- practically unknown by the middle of the 19th century. Spoons were machine-made and sold with the mono engraved, nothing more. The decorative flourishes on these spoons were engraved, probably on specific order and done by Gray himself.

Deep, short front rib on handle, rattail extending 3/4 of the way down bowl, block mono G over I * S on reverse; 7-3/4" in length. Light tipwear, otherwise in excellent condition. We've been able to identify this TA mark by referring to the American Silversmiths Genealogical Project, which you can reach by googling American Silversmiths. This spoon is, without doubt, a rarity among Colonial silver.

Pointed-end handle, feathered script mono LW on front; 9" in length. Bird and spoon in excellent condition.

Short, deep front rib, 13-lobe shell drop, block mono K over G * I on reverse; 7-5/8" long. Significant bowl wear. Mark is crisp (see pic).

Made by R & W Wilson, Philadelphia, c1840 -- blade is 14-1/2" long and is in the shape of a fish, with styllized scales, gills and fins. Fork is 13-1/8" long, its 5 long tines with foliate and scroll decoration. Pattern is on both sides of the handle. Mono is a feathered script JFCC. Weight is 12.5+ T oz. Condition is outstanding throughout.