Let's stop right there. I don't for a moment believe that this item was made in Boston. Most everything about it: the floral four toed feet, chased foliage with "ring matted" background (see Forbes, plate 41), silversmith's center punch on the top (see fourth photo), the overall heft and construction suggest that it was made in Canton province. Can I prove it? No, not yet at any rate. Diameter, 8.5"; height .75"; weight 14.0 oz...

Yes campers, it is almost too good to be true but the free item contest is once again up and running. As usual, we'll make it a quiz, and the answers are lurking deep within our webpage...

Boston circa 1850, a long (14 inches) and elegantly proportioned piece of silver, no monogram, fine condition, faintly gilt bowl, marked only "Bigelow Bro's & Kennard". An perfect gift for the Boston bride...

exceptionally colourful, gilt bowl, no monogram, excellent condition save for one small portion of missing blue inlay (see third photo). I hesitate to call this damage. Gorham had significant problems with the enameling process and it may be a slight "second".

with engraved faintly gilt blade, the handle circular in section, length 9 1/8 inches, no monogram, excellent condition.

regional interest, Beggs & Smith, Cincinnati circa 1850, engraved "Irwin", some light wear but fine overall condition, length 5 3/8 inches. Did Irwin use this to embellish his hot dog, and if so was it a Kosher dog? Alas, we may never know...

7 1/2 inches long, weight 1.74 oz. Troy, excellent condition, gilt bowl, no monogram, retailed by Cox Brothers.

excellent condition, monogrammed "W" (see second photo), length 5 3/8 inches, weight 6.21 Troy ounces. These have an embossed decoration on the bowl which we suspect that later versions of this piece do not possess.

warriors and one fair handsome maiden all of whom hang from a very Shiebler-esque pin so you can get the "look" for half the price! 2 7/8 inches long, no monogram, excellent condition, please see second photo for mark.

length excluding chain 2 7/8 inches, fine condition, no monogram, marked with Shiebler trademark and 14K (see fourth photo). Some would say that the Medallion bubble has burst and others would say bubble be damned, good design is timeless...

G. Keller, Paris circa 1920. Fine condition, no monogram, good weight, 2 3/4 by 1 inches. I could think of many uses for this on your nightstand but would probably get myself into trouble by mentioning them...

probably a crest and we suspect Missouri-related given the maker. Great quality and weight; the condition is unassailable when viewed from the front but from the reverse (see second photo) it is obvious that there have been some different findings attached in years past... 2 5/8 by 2 1/8 inches, no monogram, marked "Mermod & Jaccard / Solid Silver".