Catalog

As was a practice with many American silver manufacturers working in coin, even more so did Canadian silversmiths employ pseudo hallmarks imitative of English silver to identify their work.

This 8 5/8" long, weighty at 2.1 T. oz., circa 1840, coin silver table serving spoon is a case in point. It is stamped with a "crown, bust, lion" along with "IM" for John Munro, and "NB" for the province of New Brunswick, the city of St. John in this case, for the this maker.

A well-crafted piece, it ha...

While marked "Pat. Appld. For," along with maker's name "J[ohn]. Cook," New York City, later examples of this unnamed pattern indicate the patent was actually issued in 1869, dating this some time before that.

The piece is a large, 9 7/8" long, 2.4 T. oz., die struck, coin silver server, likely for ice cream.

The "rosette and bellflower" pattern is similar to A. & W. Wood's Clematis and less closely so to an unnamed one by Michael Gibney, both contemporaneous in time and place with ...

A purveyor of fine quality antique jewelry and decorative artifacts, as well as (hand crafted) reproduction English sterling silver, James Robinson is a prestigious New York City firm with a history dating to 1912.

This 10" long, weighty 2.7 T. oz., meat skewer, sometimes identified as a letter opener, is an item from this highly touted source, stamped for London, Sterling, a letter date of 1982, and a script "JR" for the firm.

In addition, the word "England" is imprinted in script on th...

A highly regarded iteration of the Medallion genre popular among silver manufacturers of the 1860s, nearly all of John Wendt's product in this line was retailed through New York's "Ball, Black & Co.," whose name, along with "Patent" and "925," appear on the backside of this 5 3/4" long, approximately .8 T. oz., relatively heavy, youth fork.

Appropriate to the item function, the figure on this is young and could in fact be either male or female and thus a suitable association for a chil...

One of numerous mid 19th century silver manufacturers situated in cities along the Hudson River, John L. Westervelt of Newburgh was a major producer in his 1840s to 1880s period.

This lengthy at 7 1/2" and weighty at 1.3 T. oz., master butter knife is stamped with his "star, lion, D" emblem along with "Sterling" on the blade backside.

The pattern is Ivy, which was one of Westervelt's full line designs. Naturalistic in manner, Ivy faithfully represents this vine which served ...

Syracuse, New York, was a major silver manufacturing center in the mid to late 19th century. Joseph Seymour, the maker of this 8 1/4" long, 1.9 T. oz., berry spoon, was one of the most prominent names among that city's firms, with a history that began in 1846, terminating in 1905.

An innovative producer, Dorthy Rainwater in her "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers" notes that he received a patent for making spoons in 1859, and further that, "the company was one of the first to mak...

Lengthy at 9 5/8" and weighty at 2.9 T. oz., this serving spoon has a large, 4" long by 2 1/2" at the widest by 5/8" deep, bowl with flanged shoulders, a central rib in the base, and a gold washed surface that is bright cut and wriggle work engraved in a blackberry and leaves design.

Dating circa 1880, it is stamped "J.S. MacDonald" for the late 19th century Baltimore firm, and with the word "Sterling."

The "Old English Reverse Tipt" handle features an engraved "Lily" pattern that shows th...

The Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers by Dorothy Rainwater indicates that "The Kalo Shop" was founded in 1900 by Clara Barck Welles and "went on to become the largest and most influential producer of handwrought silverware and jewelry in the midwest."

Rainwater further notes that "Mrs. Welles retired in 1940." Given that this 10 1/8" long, 3.6 T. oz., serving spoon is engraved on the backside, "AS HCM" over "Feb. 14, 1939," it traces to the founder's working years, which le...

Well-regarded in its late 19th/early 20th century period, the Newark, New Jersey firm of William B. Kerr was particularly well-known for its Art Nouveau jewelry as well as children's items, of which this 6 1/4" diameter, 4.2 T. oz., solid sterling silver plate is an example.

It has a rolled edge with a 1 1/4" wide rim that is acid etched with the words Old Mother Hubbard interspersed with a variety of figures evoked by this nursery rhyme.

These include an endearing portraiture of Mo...

The firm of "Kitts & Werne" was a prominent jewelry and silver house in Louisville, Kentucky, known for quality offerings. John Kitts dates to 1838, while sources differ on the year of the founding of his pairing with Joseph Warne, ranging from 1860-64 and lasting until 1878.

This piece, which is marked "Kitts & Werne" is a 7 3/4" long, weighty at 2.0 T. oz., coin silver, sugar sifter.

There is some thought that larger items like this may actually have been early ice or pea spoons rather ...

Generously sized at 1 1/2" high and 1 3/4" in diameter, and weighing .74 T., the style of this napkin ring suggests an 1860s to 1880s date of manufacture.

Appealingly simple in design, it features rolled rims adjoining knurled bands top and bottom. These are separated from a central, plain, concave band by raised beading.

The central band is finished in a bright gold wash, as is the entire inside surface, which is an unusual detail for a napkin ring. The name "Jennie" is engr...

Standing 1 3/4" tall and 1 3/4" in diameter, this 1.3 T. oz., sterling silver napkin ring is a relatively large item.

It is marked "S 135" on the interior, which designator is thought to have been used by Wood & Hughes, New York City.

Dating circa 1880, it has a flat walled body with top and bottom rims. These are bordered by a repeating design that is in the manner of a Vitruvian scroll.

Apropos of its period, the sides are engraved in an Aesthetic design that features ferns or ...

An early production piece, this Lily gravy ladle is marked with Whiting's "lion" emblem, "Sterling," an Old English "O," "Pat. 1902" and "R'd 1902," all in fine lettering on the handle back.

An expressive Art Nouveau design, the pattern is expressed in intricate, high relief detail on this large scale, 7 1/4" long with a 2 1/2" by 2 1/4" bowl, very heavy, 3.37 T. oz., solid silver piece.

The bowl is shell form, with a scalloped edge and ribbed body that is finished with a satin matt...

Weighty at 2.8 T. oz., and lengthy at 8", this cheese scoop is a fully original, i.e. not "made up" or "custom" as some items in this form are, example in Gorham's Newcastle.

Introduced in 1895, the pattern has beaded margins, with progressively larger beads toward the tipt end of the handle.

The scoop itself has a low cut, cupped, heel, with a rounded end with high, beveled, walls.

Never monogrammed, this is without wear or damage and has a bright finish. The only signs of use a...

About as large as such an item might be, this napkin ring stands 2" high, is 1 13/16" in diameter, and weighs a robust 1.9 T. oz.

It was made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," model number "1670," and date letter "Q" for 1884 are stamped on the inside wall.

Plain sided, there are double rolled bands of roses with thorny vines and leaves set on the bias, impressed top to bottom. This alternates with diamond bright cut detailing bordering the rolled bands a...

Finely crafted, this 8 5/8" long, 1.74 T. oz., serving spoon has an Old English, i.e. rounded end with tipt back, handle.

The plain front typical of earlier Old English design has been embellished on this. It has a feathered edge introduced in the 1770s and bright cut work characteristic of the 1780s.

In addition, the reserve at the handle end is engraved with a very fancy, feathered line script, "RL" monogram that is of a style consistent with these dates.

T...

Standing 6 3/8" tall on a rimmed base that is 2" in diameter, and weighing just over 3.5 T. oz., this shaker is hallmarked for sterling, London, and 1932-33.

The maker's stamp, which appears on the wall of the body and the sleeve of the cap, is some rubbed. It is shield form and appears to end with "LD" or "LtD."

A sugar sifter aka muffineer, it is baluster style, with a tall, attractively pierced, fitted cap that is surmounted by a flame finial.

Never monogrammed or inscribed, it is a ...

English in origin, this George III gravy ladle measures 7" long and weighs 1.7 T. oz.

It is fully hallmarked for London, 1793-94, sterling silver, and well-known makers George Smith and William Fearn (GS/WF).

It has a downturned, reverse tipt, Old English, handle with a thumb drop on the hemispherical, 2" diameter by 3/4" deep, bowl.

The handle front is inscribed with a leaf script "R" monogram.

In very good condition, it shows minimal wear. The monogram is slightly softened f...