Catalog

One of two identical place, i.e. lunch size, forks this piece measures 7 1/16" long and weighs a robust 1.7 T. oz.

Dating from the late 19th century, it is a quality item stamped "Hennegan, Bates Co." for the prominent Baltimore firm, and "Sterling."

The pattern is an engraved Lily, which is more accurately lily of the valley, and is one of several variations of the same theme made by numerous manufacturers of the period.

The bright cut work is set against an enhancing ...

This 8" long, 2.3 T. oz., solid silver sugar sifter is high Victorian in style. It is also a study in the silversmithing art.

Hallmarked for London, 1875-76, sterling, with a Queen's duty head, and "HH" for maker Henry Holland (later Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater), it carries considerable provenance. Holland and the subsequent firm were recognized as one of the most significant English silver manufacturers of their time.

This is artful in multiple ways.

First to be noted is the overall p...

Stamped "Sterling" and with the "H&S" emblem of Hotchkiss & Schreuder, Syracuse NY, and retailed by "Austin & Prescott," Batavia NY, this piece measures 8 3/4" long and weighs 1.7 T. oz.

The pattern is Longfellow, which clearly follows after the Moorish and Egyptian Revival trends popular in its 1870s period.

It features a repeating series of palm fronds, palmettes, rosettes and ivy leaves along a shaped handle with a pyramid end.

There is a central reserve area on the handle fro...

This 1.9 T. oz., 6 1/2" long, solid silver gravy ladle is generously proportioned.

It is marked "Sterling" and "H & S" for Hotchkiss & Schreuder, Syracuse, New York, which firm operated operated under this name c. 1857-71, preceded by Bunnelle & Schreuder and succeeded by A.B. Schreuder.

The "H & S" mark continued in use even after the dissolution of the partnership between the two principals in 1871 ((Rainwater Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, citing Soeffing).

The ...

Stamped "H&S" in two circles joined by a diamond for Syracuse, New York's Hotchkiss & Schreuder, this 8 3/4" long, 1.7 T. oz., berry spoon dates from the 1860s.

It is a fine representation of the design sensibilities and manufacturing skills of the period.

The stem is twisted while the scalloped edged handle end is flat with a slightly upturned tip. The surface of this has an engine turned background complimented with bright cutting and a wriggle work border on the backside.

There i...

This piece is fully hallmarked for sterling silver, London, 1891-92 and the partnership of "J.T. Heath" and "John Middleton," operating as "Hukin & Heath." This firm was renowned for producing items inspired by famed English designer "Christopher Dresser."

This 10 3/4" tall silver and cut glass claret jug is in full conformity with other examples of such Dresser items from this source, and as such is an important example.

Similar examples are held at the Victoria and Albert Museum i...

Massively scaled, this serving piece measures 10 3/4" long and weighs 4.4 T. oz.

Shovel form, it has a blade that is 4 1/2" long and 3 5/8" wide at the splayed end.

This has notched shoulders, wide flanged edges, and a central raised groove in the base.

The surface is extensively engraved in a leaf and flower motif with wriggle work on the flanged edges.

The handle is Old English with a rounded end and tipt backside. The front is bright cut engraved in a design ...

True estate items, this group is being offered entirely as found on behalf of a direct descendent of the original owner.

Approximately 100 years old, the three large pieces--mirror, brush, and synthetic tortise shell comb--are marked with the Simpson, Hall, Miller division of International Silver's "helmet" emblem, along with the word "Sterling," while the two smaller pieces--nail file and shoe horn--are marked "Sterling Handle." (Please see both sets of images.)

This is an exceptional set...

Made by International, whose Simpson, Hall, Miller division "helmut" emblem, "Sterling," and model number "C 1960" appear on the backside of the handle, this tea strainer is in the Arts & Crafts mode and likely dates from the first quarter of the twentieth century.

It is over-the-cup style, with a round, 2 1/8" diameter by 3/4" deep, pierced, bowl. This has a narrow rim with a rolled edge.

The bowl is joined to a 2 13/16" long Pointed Antique slightly upturned, handle and a correspo...

A 6 7/8" long, .9 T. oz., piece, this fully original olive spoon is marked with the "helmet over shield" emblem of International Silver Company, along with "Sterling."

The pattern is Margaret Old issued in 1907, preceding Margaret New, introduced in 1912.

Both patterns are identical save the earlier one includes a design detail at the join between the handle and bowl, tine, or serving end, while the later pattern is plain in the same area.

The straightforward pattern shows...

Solid silver, this child's dish measures 4 1/4" across, stands 1 5/8" high and weighs 2.6 T. oz.

Marked on the underside "International" alongside the "C in a crescent" emblem of the Watrous division of that company, and "Sterling," it is identified as a model number "608/1" child's bowl with a likely early 20th century date.

Well-made, it has a sturdy applied upper rim, a rounded lower edge, and a flat bottom with a brushed finish on the underside.

The sidewall is acid etched in two sc...

A matched pair, each of these forks measures 7" long, while the two combined weigh 2.35 T. oz.

They are marked "I. Speer" and "Chicago" on the handle reverses.

Isaac Speer began work as a jeweler and watchmaker in Chicago in 1840, engaged in a partnership with Edward Cosper, 1852-53 (see Old Friends item 5463f for a Speer & Cosper ladle), and continued alone thereafter until 1870.

Coin silver, these date from the 1860s and are in a period pattern similar to Gibney's Tuscan and Po...

Modestly sized at 1 3/4" diameter, 1 3/8" wide, and weighing just over .5 T. oz., this napkin ring could have been part of a child's set (along with a mug, plate, and/or porringer for example), although not necessarily.

It has a three lobed body, the top and bottom ones of which are embossed in an Ivy and Vine pattern.

Again, this naturalistic portraiture is pastoral, almost naive, in its theme and could suggest the innocence of a child.

The interior is finished in a bright gold ...

This 8 1/8" long, 1.67 T. oz., spoon is marked with an "animal head over shield" emblem attributed to James P. Butler, Philadelphia.

It is also stamped with the words "Coin" and "Patent" and the name of the retailer, Philadelphia jeweler "J. Einstein."

Catherine Hollan notes in Philadelphia Silver that Butler was "a member of the extended Butler-Peters-McCarty families" and that he worked as a partner with James Watts for one year, 1867.

The leaf and rosette with an ant...

Often attributed to prominent 19th century silversmith James Watts, the particular "animal head over shield with star" mark found on this lengthy, 9 1/2", 2.4 T. oz., coin silver pie server belongs to James Butler. Both men worked in Philadelphia in the mid 19th century.

Catherine Hollan in her encyclopedic Philadelphia Silversmiths notes Butler was a partner with Watts for "only one year 1867, then successfully continued independently manufacturing silverware with engraved patterns th...

A large table or serving spoon, this piece measures 9" long and weighs 1.8 T. oz.

Coin silver, it is stamped "J. Guthre" for James Guthre, who worked in Wilmington, Delaware in the second quarter of the 19th century. References record him in partnership with Emmor Jefferis c. 1840.

Well-crafted, this has an exceptionally wide, flat with a slight downward arc, front with a subtle Tipt back, Fiddle handle.

This is engraved with a feathered, line script, "CP" monogram on the ...

A well-regard name among mid 19th century Philadelphia silver manufacturers, James Watts produced this lengthy, 8 7/8", nearly 1.5 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon.

His readily recognizable "horse head over chevron," emblem appears on the handle backside, along with the word "Coin" and the name of the retailer, "George H. Bechtel," also Philadelphia.

The flat, shaped, handle has an upturned end and is bright cut and wriggle work engraved, all of which bespeaks the piece's Philadelphia...

Having a double Philadelphia provenance, this coin silver spoon is marked with James Watts' horse head emblem, and "George M. Bechtel" for the well-known retailer, 1850-60, later in partnership with George Eno.

It is a substantially sized piece at 9" long and weighing just under 1.5 T. oz.

Having a scalloped handle with an engraved surface, it reads as both characteristic for the period and for Philadelphia. The backside is plain save for the marks.

There is a handsome, feathered sc...