Catalog

Made in two versions, solid background and pierced, it is replete with scrolls, acanthus leaves, and delicate leaves with flowers, all set in moderately high relief.

Elegant without any embellishment, this pierced, 8 1/8" long, 1.4 T. oz., jelly knife is made all the more so by the addition of an overall vermeil, i.e. gold gilt, surface, and rich, multi-colored enamel...

It is stamped "S.N. Story" for the Worcester, Massachusetts silversmith and jeweler. Also marked "Pure Coin," which was a regional term, this was likely made in Boston.

The pattern is "Olive," which was a very popular design in the period.

What sets this apart from other examples is its intermediate size, shell bowl, solid weight, quality manufacture, and good condition.

The ...

An original, early, production item made by Alvin in the Art Nouveau "Bridal Rose" pattern, the company emblem, along with the words "Patent," and "Sterling" appear on the backside in fine lettering.

The handle is upturned at the end, while the surface displays a high relief, intricately rendered, portraiture of rose buds, blossoms, leaves, and t...

While "Tipt" end examples of their work, are readily found, this 6 3/8" long cream ladle stands apart for several reasons.

One feature is its heavy weight, 1.7 T oz., and consequent solid composition. A second feature is its perfectly round, hemispherical, bowl, which is 1 5/8" in diameter and 1/2" deep.

The handle has pronounced be...

Common to all these pieces are silver bases, crowns, and the truly defining element, which is a dolphin or sea serpent handle. 

The bodies are high quality, finely cut rock crystal.  At least one source attributes the...

It is stamped "E.S. & D.R. Burr" and "coin," for the jewelers located in the small, central Wisconsin town of Berlin. An entry in a 1919 "Jewelers' Circular," notes the death of Daniel Riley Burr at age 85, still resident in Berlin.

There is also a right-facing, bust that McGrew in his work on pseudo hallmarks identifies as an unknown Chicago maker. He cites only Chicago retailers associated with this, so...

The pattern is Durgin's 1890 "Shell." Having a slender, essentially tubular, central shank, the ends where the raised shells are situated are broad and rounded.

These embody a refined elegance. The design is understated, while the highly tactile finish has a satin smoothness.

The tines are delicately-scaled, with the outer two of the three splayed outw...

"Mythologique" has generated interest and commentary since its introduction in the late 19th century. Some of the most informative insight about the history of this pattern can be found in an essay written by Elizabeth Williams, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the Rhode Island School ...

Each one is stamped "John B. Scott" for the New York City retailer, who is documented working circa 1820, with no ending date available.

The pattern is a "Beaded Olive" that appears to be a near match for manufacturer John Westervelt's pattern of the same name. less so akin to William Gale's "Mayflower" or John Polhamus' "Ionic."

The backside is a "Tuscan" pa...

An Art Nouveau design, it features poppy blossoms, leaves, and complementary trailing elements set in textured, high relief, detail.

This example is a 4 3/4" long, relatively heavy at nearly .6 T. oz., egg spoon.

It has an ovoid bowl with a gold wash interior, and is monogrammed with an Old English "E" on the handle.

It is in superb es...

Marked only "Coin," without a maker's or retailer's identification, the rounded handle with notched tip essentially matches Gorham's early, 1865, "Italian" pattern, and the quality of manufacture suggests such a significant maker.

This is bordered by fine wriggle work engraving and has an elegant period "EC" feathered script monogram set in the center of the plain area of the surface.

The lower por...

The sugar stands 4" high to the top of the swing handle, and rises 2" from the 2" diameter rim base to the edge of the rim which is 3 3/4" across. It weighs approximately 3.4 T. oz.

The pitcher is 3 3/8" tall, 3" across to the handle tip, has a 1 1/2" rimmed base, and weighs 3.0 T. oz.

The design is a stu...

This item possesses all the attributes that make a vintage piece of flatware desirable, namely, it is an unusual form in a sought after pattern by a premier maker, and in superb condition.

It is an early example of the "English King" pattern, marked "Tiffany & Co.," "Sterling," "Pat. 1885.," and "M.," with this letter identifier dating its manufacture to no later than 1891.

A sugar sifter, it measures 5 3/4" long and weighs a substantial 1.7 T. oz.

The bowl measures 2 1/2" by 1 1/4...

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" hallmark, along with "Sterling" and the model number "B698" are imprinted on one edge, and the name of the retailer, Boston's "Bigelow, Kennard & Co." on another edge, it is commonly identified as a page turner or letter opener, but catalogues of its circa 1900 period, label it a paper cutter.

The design is as impressive as the piece itself. It repeats...

The pattern, "Bead," was introduced in 1880, and in addition to a namesake beaded border, it features a fully articulated, high relief, shell at the handle end. This element shows particularly well at the scale of this piece.

The 7 1/2" long by 2 1/2" at the widest, b...

The pattern is "Newport Shell," dating from 1910. In addition to the shell end which lends the pattern its name, the design incorporates a beaded border on the front, and a lined border on the back, of the handle.

This form, nut picks, also...

It also has a steel rod that makes up nearly two-thirds of the total length of the piece. This is six-sided and pointed. It appears to be a skewer although it is often identified as a sharpener or hone. Typically, however, these latter were rounded and had knurled surfaces.

T...

It is model number "S623," as stamped below the hinge, along with "Sterling." Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" hallmark appears on the underside of cap, as well as "Sterling" and a date symbol for "1890." All these marks repeat on the lower rim, save the date symbol there is for 188...