Catalog

A 9 3/4" long, heavy at nearly 3.4 T. oz., item, this spoon in Whiting's "King Edward" is identified by different sources as a large berry or salad serving spoon.

It has a relatively long and narrow, 4" by 2 3/8" by 3/8" deep, bowl, with a raised shell design in the interior as is consistent with the line, while the edge is plain rather than fluted which is more typical in this pattern.

A well-received and elaborate rendition of a design derived from English "Kings," "King Edward" incorpor...

Introduced by Whiting just after the turn of the 20th century, "King Edward" has remained a sought after pattern in the century plus since.

This 6" long, heavy at 1.2 T. oz., sugar spoon is an early example, marked with the Whiting lion logo, "Sterling," "Pat. Ap.23" and the name of the retailer, Boston's "A. Stowell & Co."

It is in immaculate estate condition, retaining every bit of its original sharp detail on the shells and acanthus elements of the design. The finish is bright and the...

Introduced in 1885, Whiting's "Lily of the Valley" immediately established itself as an outstanding pattern, and has remained sought after ever since.

Sculptural in nature, it features a raised stalk of blossoms enveloped by leaves, which form the margins of the handle. The ground behind the blossoms is lined, again representative of the leaves, and this also serves as an enhancing design element.

In sum, it reflects influences from the innovative design sensibilities of the Aesthetic m...

Whiting produced two variants of a "Lily of the Valley" pattern. One was a full line design, and the other was limited to certain serving forms and smaller pieces.

This 6 1/8" long, approximately .4 T. oz., butter fork or pick is an example of the limited production series.

It has a twisted shank, with a cast rather than die struck cluster of blossoms on the end of the handle. These hang to the side on openwork stems.

The fork end has two splayed tines that have a satin finish and ...

Each of these two, matching seafood or oyster cocktail forks measures 5 5/8" long, while the pair weigh nearly .9 T. oz. combined.

The pattern is Whiting's 1885 "Lily of the Valley."

These stand apart on two bases. One, they are the less common, twisted handle, form of this piece. Two, they were retailed by "William Kendrick's Sons," the renowned Louisville, Kentucky, jeweler, known as a supplier of julep cups.

They have front and back, gold washed, trident tines, that are sinuous,...

An early example of Whiting's "Lily," this pair of 4 15/16" long, heavy at just under 1.0 T. oz., tongs are marked with the company "lion" logo, "Sterling," and "Pat. App. For."

"Lily" is an enduringly popular, Art Nouveau pattern that essentially set the standard for this floral interpretation after its introduction in 1902.

Absent noticeable polishing wear, this pair show the design to full advantage, retaining all the fine flower and leaf elements for which the line is known, as well ...

Measuring 13 1/2" overall, this carving set item has a silver handle and guard, both stamped "Sterling," while the guard is also imprinted with Whiting's "winged lion" logo, and the handle is stamped "Pat. 1891."

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...

A matched pair, these two items are early examples of Whiting's late 19th century "Louis XV" pattern.

They are long versions of an olive serving spoon and fork, with the former measuring 8 3/4" and weighing just over .9 T. oz., while the latter is 8 7/8" long and weighs just under .8 T. oz.

The spoon has a lattice work bowl with decorated shoulders. It and the two hooked tines on the fork are finished in a satin gold wash.

Neither piece has ever been monogrammed, and both of them ar...

Marked only "Sterling," this c. 1860's pattern is a Whiting design commonly identified as "Calla Lily," taken from the three dimensional flower that adorns the end of the handle.

This example is a large, 10 1/2" long, just under 2.6 T. oz., serving spoon. It has an extra wide and deep bowl, to be distinguished from a nearly identical version with a smaller bowl.

This is assembled from a variety of parts, rather than being die struck as a unit, or a single casting. This approach was pop...

Likely dating from the 1880s, this 4 1/2" wide, 2" high to the rim, 4" to the top of the swing handle, 2.4 T. oz., basket, shows Aesthetic design influences.

The rim is scalloped and the tapered sidewalls are undulating. The solid handle is twisted, with a smooth, square, grip at the top.

There is a large scale representation of a wild rose blossom, branch, and leaves acid etched on the otherwise plain body. Acid etching is a technique that produces a more textured surface than simple e...

Without a formal name, but commonly referred to as "Peony" for the large, single, arched, blossom that appears on the end of the handle, this circa 1885 pattern is also characterized by its twist stem.

The line is number "26," by Whiting, and this number, along with the company "lion" logo and "Sterling," appears on the backsides of this youth set, comprised of a 6 3/8" long fork and 5 7/8" long spoon, with a combined weight of 2.1 T. oz.

Each piece is engraved "Ellen Burdett" in script on...

Relatively diminutive, this matching pair of master salts each stand 1 1/8" high, have top diameters of 1 7/8", rest on pedestal bases that are 1" across, and weigh 1.1 T. oz. combined.

They were made by Whiting, whose "lion" emblem, "Sterling," and model number "7" are stamped on the undersides.

The cauldron shaped body, tiered base, and beaded detailing suggest an 1870-80 date.

Each one is engraved "F.R." in Old English lettering on the upper edges below the rims.

They are in excel...

Dating from 1880, Whiting's "Persian" is a Moresque design in the same genre as Tiffany's pattern of the same name, as well as Whiting's own "Arabesque" and Gorham's "Hindostanee" among others.

This example is a 7 1/2" long, 1.5 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon. It has the plum-shaped bowl with a flange rim and central rib that Whiting used across several pattern lines.

There is a reserve area at the front of the handle which is a natural location for an inscription. On this piece that ...

This Whiting pattern introduced in 1890 is known by several names including singular and plural variations of "Rose & Scroll" as well as "LaFrance" and "LaFrancais."

This example is a 3 3/8" long, .4 T. oz., tea caddy spoon.

The bowl is scoop or shovel form and quite decorative. It has an embossed surface, cupped heel with scalloped shoulders, and is finished in a gold wash on the interior.

Never monogrammed, it is in very good condition. The pattern on the handle remains clear and well...

The Whiting Manufacturing Company came into existence in 1866 (Dorothy Rainwater Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers), evolving from antecedent companies.

Largely producing in a period when sterling had become the norm, examples in coin, such as this 6" long, approximately .8 T. oz., three tine pickle or pastry fork, are uncommon. Clearly it traces to the earliest years of the company when it was a modest operation compared to the major firm that it became, and for that reaso...

This mug stands 3" to the top edge, 3 1/2" to the highest point of the handle, has a top opening 2 3/4" across, a rimmed foot that is 1 7/8" in diameter, and weighs 2.9 T. oz.

It has double marks, one of which is "WG&S" for William Gale & Son, and a second which is three part, one of which includes a diamond imprinted with the date "185x," with the final number obscured.

The form is octagonal, with a beaded edge top and beaded rim base. The sidewalls have a raised flower, leaf, and scro...

Catherine Hollan in "Philadelphia Silversmiths" lists William Faber as working by 1828 and joined by sons Charles and William as "Faber & Sons" in 1866, which name and firm lasted until 1887.

Producers of fine silver, much of which demonstrated artful bright cut work, the company also produced this die struck pattern that bears strong similarity to one, also unnamed, produced by George Sharp in the same 1860s period (see Old Friends catalogue item 3170), and which in turn is akin to Knowles &...

Measuring 9 1/2" overall, this fish server has a filled coin silver handle joined to a solid coin silver, four tine fork. It weighs 3.8 T. oz., which includes the inner content of the handle.

The pattern is a "French Thread" aka "Thread."

The shank, which is stamped in two places "W.G & S" for William Gale & Son, New York City, 1850-66 various years, is four sided and attaches to an open heel area with pointed shoulders.

All surfaces of the serving end are extensively and attractively e...