Catalog

craftsman Arthur Hartwell, height 3 1/4; diameter 7 1/4 inches, weight 14 Troy ounces, monogrammed on base as shown in fourth enlargement, some very minor scratches but excellent overall condition.

A similar example, held by the Art Institute of Chicago, is shown in Chickering, plate 52; page 111.

Italian, Florence circa 1880. What makes an object extraordinary? In the case of a sculpture, it must be well modelled. Then, it must be cast by a capable founder so that every last detail of the clay model is captured in the metal. Finally, the condition must be flawless. Our bird meets all three criteria without ruffling a feather. Height 2 3/4+ inches, weight 3.44 oz. Troy (!!), marked with city mark and .800 in circle, for a digitally "flipped" positive image of the monogram pleas...

length 5 1/4 inches, total Troy weight 5.70 ounces, fine condition, monogrammed as shown in third enlargement.

This lovely old high relief pattern is one of R & B's best designs.

length 4 3/4 inches, weight .34 oz. Troy each, excellent original condition, monogrammed as shown, retailed by Boston's own Shreve Crump & Low.

You'd be hard pressed to find better examples than these.

length 6 1/4 inches, monogrammed "LES" script obverse, fine condition, retailed by The Cowell & Hubbard Co.

length 5 5/8 inches, weight 4.22 Troy ounces, monogrammed as shown, some very light scratches on blades (see third enlargement) but fine overall condition.

For those of you who favor comparison shopping, check out prices (69.00 each) over there on the Bay of Ease.

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. They're emine...

retailed by Hennegan Bates and presumably the work of S. Kirk, just shy of 5 3/8 inches long, fine condition, monogrammed "A".

length 4 5/8 inches, total Troy weight 2.1 ounces (on the heavy side for berry forks), excellent original condition, gilt tines, monogrammed as shown in second enlargement.

These are truly a choice find!

with heart shaped cut out in tines, length 6 1/8 inches, total Troy weight 7.08 ounces, fine condition, monogrammed "H" as shown in third enlargement. These are scarce.

length 6 5/8 inches, fine condition, monogrammed "m" (obverse), total Troy weight 7.93 ounces, marked as shown in fourth enlargement.

New York circa 1855, length 8 inches, weight 10.41 Troy ounces (avg. 1.75 oz. T each), excellent condition, monogrammed "F.E.M." in period script; see third enlargement, marked with his trademark and J. Cook incuse.

One could spend a substantial number of hours searching through design patents looking for the original name of this pattern, and come up empty handed. Then again, one might find an exact date, and "design for the handle of a spoon." Either way, we find this early die struck p...

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.

May I also add that though teaspoons and ...

length five inches, no monogram, gilt bowls, excellent condition, total Troy weight 2.63 ounces.

Designed by the great French scultor Antoine Heller, these figures have attitude!!

length 2 3/4 inches, gilt bowls, excellent condition, monogrammed "P" obverse, Old English. Please see second photo for marks.

length 8 inches, total Troy weight 10.49 ounces, monogrammed "B.B." (script, obverse). These have seen some hefty use by hungry hands. There is a bit of wear where they meet the plate, some of which encroaches upon the engraving. That said, they do still have a certain charm, excellent diaper work and scrolled decoration, and a wonderful feel in the hand. Marked "patent 1855 / coin" (mark is worn).

length 5 3/4 inches, weight 7.37 Troy ounces, excellent condition, marked and monogrammed as shown in enlargements. Although these don't have the "h" weight designation, they are exceptionally heavy for their size.

Compare on the Big Bad Auction site (item 154699050597) @89.00 each!

with decorative bright cut engraving, length 5 3/8 inches, total Troy weight 2.64 ounces, monogrammed as shown in third enlargement. My apologies for only picturing one here, but they are all identical.

These are benchmark examples, looking today just as they did upon leaving the factory on Elmwood Avenue some hundred and fifty years ago. They are engraved (slightly differently) in an exceptionally well designed and well executed manner upon all three sides. Place pieces in this fine ol...