Catalog: Silver: Sterling

length 5 1/2 inches, discretely monogrammed "S" as shown, most of the original gilding remains on tines, total Troy weight 6.84 ounces, excellent overall condition.

Frequent guests of our little website will know that I'm fond of gushing about what an exceptional job the Durgin Corporation did in recreating New Hampshire's natural flora with solid silver. These Cat Tails, with their "fuzzy" flower heads, are perhaps the prime example of that work...

guilloché enamel box, three distinct patterns visible in the engine turned engraving depending on your angle of vision (see enlargements), double hidden integral hinges opening outward from the center, gilt interior, 3 1/4 by 2 1/8 by 3/8 inches. There is a minor flake in the enamel (see third photo) which doesn't extend through to the metal, and some scuffing around the edges on reverse but aside from this the condition is superb...

Long, massive and superbly well constructed, this would make an ideal piece for the bride who seeks to cut the cake in a most elegant manner.

Length twelve inches, weight 8 Troy ounces (!), a few barely visible nicks at upper edge of blade but fine overall condition.

height 1 3/4; diameter of base 2 1/4 inches, weight 3.28 Troy ounces, excellent condition, discreetly monogrammed on the underside as shown in photos three and four.

These are perfectly plumb, but wide angle distortion has caused one to look a bit akilter, and for this we must apologize, dear reader.

10 1/2 inches long; fine condition; monogrammed "MJM" (at end) in period script with flourishes; marked "BALL BLACK & CO / 950"; weight 6.5 oz. Troy. Also known as a "yoked" asparagus tongs, which sounds a bit bovine to these ears...

Philadelphia circa 1790, from the same service as item 0867 although the bright cut decoration is slightly different in execution, length 9 1/4 inches, immaculate condition.

Those of us who had a chance to visit the "Silver and Shawls: India, Europe, and the Colonial Art Market" at Harvard's Sackler Museum are no doubt all steamed up about anglo-Indian silver, and want a little example for our collection. Stop here. This is a great one. Length just shy of 5 inches; width 1 1/8; decagonal in section; nearly flawless condition (lid over stoppered end does not hold tightly-- see third photo). Unmarked; no monogram.

length 10 1/2 inches, no monogram, handles in excellent condition, marked as shown in photos 4 and 5.

Before you get all steamed up about what an incredible bargain these are (those folks who Replace your stuff want 199.95 each, on ebay), dear reader, allow me to draw your attention to the blades, which are steel and have some pitting (we've shown this in unflinching detail; see second enlargement). They are also "pinned" in place which would make replacing them complicated...

set of six in original felt lined box, .800 standard, maker Fabbrica Argenteria Fiorentina circa 1935, total weight 3.86 oz. Troy, excellent condition, no monogram. These are well modelled and well executed. Each putto is full figural front and back. Though the little folks are cast from the same mold, each is carrying a different dish: soup, fish, fowl, eggplant, grapes, salad, and of course wine. An altogether charming way to guide your guests at table.

craftsman Herman Glendenning, height 5 1/2 inches, total Troy weight 13.25 ounces, no monogram, some minor dents in base as shown in third and fourth enlargements but very good overall condition.

These have probably "been to the wheel" sometime during their career, and it pains me to see Mr. Stone's work treated in such a manner. We must asume that our readers will agree, or else they'd be looking at Replacements, not here...

length 6 1/8 inches, total Troy weight 17.85 Troy ounces, fine condition, monogrammed "m". These are delightfully heavy in the hand, and so thick that they're marked on the side (see fifth enlargement).

What could you do with them? Well, I for one would be ecstatic if served an appetizer of duck liver paté in a little ramekin with a very elegant silver knife. But then again, I'd probably also be pretty happy to see this even without one...

length 6 3/8 inches, total Troy weight 11.75 ounces, some slight pattern wear but very fine overall condition, monogrammed as shown in third enlargement.

Compare on the Big Bad Auction Site (item 143560460839) @188.00 each!!

These are thick and pleasantly heavy in the hand. Though Saratoga may not be a first demand pattern, it is a great-looking one. We doubt that there could be a more elegant way to eat your fishes!

length 8 5/8 inches, total Troy weight 5.14 ounces, monogrammed as shown in bowl of spoon. The palm leaf gilding on reverse of fork is not quite so bold as on the spoon, and there is a slight blemish on the fork (see third enlargement) but the overall condition is fine.

Compare on Ebay (item 402083609300) @1037.00

model B1925, probably a Codman design, 3 by 2 3/8 inches, heavy, finely cast and in untouched original condition. A museum quality object.

circa 1955, .833 standard, height 3 1/8 inches, weight 2.67 Troy ounces, excellent condition, no monogram. A very charming little owl indeed.

London 1778, height 4 3/4; diameter 3 1/4 inches, weight 3.67 Troy ounces, a few very minor dents which won't show up in photos but fine overall condition (there's a bit of distress to the tip-- see fourth photo-- greatly enlarged here), monogrammed as shown.

The perfect gift for your wine loving friend, who will appreciate that the muslin ring remains present, when the time comes to decant that special bottle of port...

Boston circa 1926, with applied molded rim and gently slanting sides, height 3 1/2; top diameter 4 inches, weight 6.6 Troy ounces, no monogram, fine condition.

Also known as a mint julep cup, this form is not common among early 20th century hand wrought items made here in the U.S.

length 7 1/8 inches, weight 7.63 Troy ounces the lot, monogrammed as shown in second enlargement, marked "H & S STERLING" and "Watts."

When it comes to condition, what separates the men from the boys, or the women from the girls (Don Soeffing describes the figure as "somewhat androgynous," so let's honor that!) is the clarity of the ivy garland. Have a look at our third photo and we think you'll agree that these comport themselves rather well...