This piece bears the craftsman's mark of both Robert Bean and Fletcher Carter. Also, let's give a shout out to the good folks at ONC, still going strong in Amesbury after one hundred years, who were kind enough to identify this cup as the "Roly Poly cordial."
Marguerite was design...
Over the years, I've examined many pieces of Martelé, and if you dear reader will forgive me for a bit of crudeness, most of them are "trashed." Specifically, the detail is severely worn away, leaving the beauty of the overall design still appreciable but no longer intact...
If only we knew a bit more about Minnie, a good tale might be told, but alas we know nothing of this lass.
$250.00
Years ago, many folks had high enthusiasm over silver from the Golden State, but now we're going to find out the hard way whether or not anyone indeed still gives a rat's derrière.
With sinuous curves and whimsical spade-shaped feet, this is truly a little classic of English Art Nouveau silver.
Porter was a highly talented silversmith, but his work is inconsistent and sometimes sloppy. These items showcase his skills at their best. The solder joints are subtle and superbly executed, the hammering is uniform and attractive, the piercings are symmetrical...
Is there a wedding in your future? Picture the flower girl, strolling down the aisle, carrying your rings in this basket.
As mentioned elsewhere on these pages, Porter's work is of inconsistent quality. Here, the soldering is a bit sloppy and the hammering is rather random. So let's just consider that part of the charm, if we may.
These come and go, but I don't think we've ever owned one where the chasing is so crisp and the original oxidation hasn't been at least partially removed by some overzealous owner...
$350.00
This lovely example is entirely hand wrought, and dates from 1948...
There are some condition issues. One (on left in photo) has some dents in the side panels; the bobeche on the other is a bit wavy. Also, though they bear the same model number, one is decorated with beading and the other with "rope."
Keep in mind that when your table is lit with candle light, the guests will simply say "what lovely pair of candlesticks!"
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A William C. Codman design, identical examples may be found in both the Jolie and Robert Shelton Collection, "Magnificent, Marvelous Martelé," pp. 498-9 and the MFA Boston, accession number 2001.804
$1,450.00
Little is known about La Paglia himself, though Dorothy Rainwater relates (see Silver Magazine, May/June 1995, item pictured in article) that he worked as a spy during WWII, and was smuggled into and out of Italy on board a submarine...
Though weighted, this seems to be of a heavier than average gauge, and I suspect that there may be a dollar or two to be made here for someone who wants to send this along to the Great Melting Pot in the Sky.
$395.00
And now, let's move along to cheerier thoughts...