Catalog

This example of late Victorian grape shears or, as period catalogues identify them, scissors, are of a quality that set the bar for such pieces. They excel in terms of design, manufacture, and material.

The first factor that stands out is that they are made of solid sterling silver. Grape shears typically have steel cutters, while these are clearly marked on the backside of the lower blade "Howard & Co." and "Sterling," which applies to the entire piece.

They measure 6 7/8" long and wei...

Marked "Coin" and with the number "4," but without a maker's identifier, this particular 1860s "Medallion" pattern is illustrated in D. Albert Soeffing's benchmark Silver Medallion Flatware within a grouping that he classifies as "naive" or "primitive."

Soeffing shows a sugar sifter, while this is a 6 1/4" long, just over .8 T. oz., sardine fork.

The "Medallion" is cast and applied, portraying in this case a right facing female figure surrounded by engraved detailing, and on the sif...

Measuring 4 3/16" long and weighing a relatively heavy .9 T. oz., this piece is marked "Allan Adler" and "Sterling" on the reverse.

A renowned California silversmith known for his modernist designs, and coincidentally a son-in-law of Porter Blanchard, Adler's working dates spanned the middle to later 20th century.

This example is in the "Sunset" pattern. Clean and straightforward, it has an angular end handle and shows the hammering marks characteristic of hand crafted silver, on all surfa...

An enduringly appealing floral design, Durgin's turn of the 20th century "Iris" follows after the manner of that company's flagship "New Art" line.

Both patterns are ebullient in the way they interpret iris blossoms in this instance, and additional flowers in "New Art."

This set of eight place aka regular forks all measure 7" long, and as is the case with the line, are heavy, with the group weighing 13.1 T. oz. combined, or well over 1.5 T. oz. per fork.

Seven of them are engraved "MR" ...

Whiting made at least two forms of sugar spoons in its 1880 "Berry" pattern, perhaps the more common one a shell bowl, and this 6 1/8" long, .9 T. oz., example with a scalloped edge, round bowl.

A multi-motif design, "Berry" portrays a variety of fruit, leaves, and branches, relative to the individual piece, the portraiture on this being blueberry.

In excellent condition, it has never been monogrammed (which would have appeared on the plain backside of the handle). Pattern detail remains w...

A rare form variant, this 4 3/16" long, nearly .5 T. oz., Tiffany & Co. lemon fork has two pointed outer tines, and a shorter central, raised one described by William Hood in Tiffany Silver Flatware as a "spur."

The pattern is "Clinton Engraved," which features an Adamesque, flower and swag motif delicately etched on the otherwise plain (with a tipt backside) surface of "Clinton."

Never monogrammed, this is in flawless condition, absent polishing wear, having an even finish, and fre...

A substantially-sized piece, measuring 9 3/8" long and weighing nearly 2.7 T. oz., this is a pudding, large berry, or other serving spoon.

The pattern is Whiting's "Persian," which dates from 1880, and is a Moorish 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.

The bowl is generously proportioned, 4" by 2 3/8" at the widest, and has a fluted or piecrust rim. The interior is engraved in a stylized...

As stated by Dorothy Rainwater in her Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, New York's Ball, Black & Co. (1851 successors to Ball, Tompkins & Black) "was the leading jewelry house in the nation prior to the rise of Tiffany & Co."

The firm was the favored outlet of numerous manufacturers, including Michael Gibney who was the producer of this large, 10 1/8" long, heavy at 3.5 T. oz., pie server in the "Olive" variant "Tuscan" pattern, which design later became associated with Wh...

A numbered design, "610," this 7 1/4" long, 1.5 T. oz., confection spoon (as identified in an 1892 Gorham catalogue), was executed to a standard far above typical production items.

Incorporating regal iconography, the tip of the handle has a rampant, i.e. standing, lion, set atop a columnar handle. The lower section of the handle just above the join with the bowl, features a stately looking, classical female figure draped in flowing robes.

The bowl is fig-shaped, and imprinted in the ce...

Likely dating either side of 1900, this item stands 4" high and is 3 3/4" across at the widest.

A syrup jug or pitcher, the base is panel cut glass, with a sterling collar and hinged lid. The glass handle is blown and applied.

The lid has a raised bead, almost egg and dart, trim around the edge. This detail repeats on the scrolled, solid silver handle.

In very good condition, there are few signs of wear, largely evident in fine scratches on the outside base, as well as a bit of cloudine...

Standing 3 9/16" to the rim, 3 3/4" to the highest point at the tip of the handle, with a tapered body that is 3 3/8" wide at the top opening and 2 7/8" across on the base, and weighing 6.0 T. oz., this mug is exceptionally large.

It is marked on the underside "O[badiah]. Rich," "Boston," and "fine," indicating coin silver.

Rich (1809-88) was a Boston silversmith who left a considerable legacy in his work. Dorothy Rainwater in her Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers notes,...

The style of this plain band, 1" wide, 1 3/4" diameter, .7 T. oz., napkin ring places it from the late 1800s.

The satin finish exterior is bright cut engraved in a leaf and scroll theme interpreted in an Aesthetic manner. Both edges have a repeating beaded design that looks like knurling.

There is a reserve within the engraving that is inscribed "TGM," while the inner side reads, "From J.W.F. Jr. Dec. 25, '99.," so very likely it was a Christmas present given well over a century ago.

In...

Alfred, Francis and Arthur operating as the Pairpoint Brothers were noteworthy producers of English Arts & Crafts silver in the first part of the 20th century.

This 2 3/4" high, 4 1/2" top diameter, heavy at 7.1 T. oz., bowl is emblematic of their work and the movement.

It sits on a footed base 2 3/8" in diameter, and has an applied rim on the upper lip.

The body is plain and smooth on the outside, but retains a hand hammered surface on the interior.

Apart from the hallmarks which i...

Measuring 9" long and weighing 2.0 T. oz., this pudding spoon is akin to a large berry or vegetable server.

The pattern is Whiting's "Arabesque," which is a Moorish design produced during the 19th century's Renaissance Revival period of the 1870s. It features a standing griffin with widespread wings.

The bowl is plum shaped, with a central vee in the base and a lipped edge.

The interior is intricately engraved in a design that repeats the main motif of the pattern, and retains traces of...

This 3" high to the rim, 3 3/4" to the top of the handle, 2 5/8" top diameter, 4.3 T. oz., coin silver mug has identifiers that closely date it.

Stamped "Crosby & Brown" for the retailer that operated 1851-52, it is also imprinted "V.L.&B.," for significant Boston silversmith Vincent Laforme & Brother, active 1850-54.

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts holds a pitcher attributed to him, with extensive notes about the piece and maker available online, including this biographical detail, ...

Issued early in the 20th century, Gorham's "Poppy" was an expressive iteration of this popular floral motif.

The design incorporates numerous blossoms and buds along with trailing leaves on both sides of the handle and the heel reverse.

This example is a 5 3/4" long, .8 T. oz., grapefruit or citrus spoon. It has a lengthy, narrow, deep, bowl with a flange rim and pointed tip, which is finished in a bright gold wash front and back.

The handle has a delicate script "CLM" monogram on the fr...

Decidedly period in style, each of these two, matching, master salt dishes features a pair of lofty arms that form an open circular area that contains a cast, three dimensional, ivy leaf. This is in turn supported by an also cast, curved, leaf.

They measure 3 7/8" from arm tip to arm, stand 1 1/2" at the highest, are 2 3/8" across at the top opening of the body, rest on beaded edge, rimmed bases that are 1 1/2" in diameter, and weigh 2.5 T. oz. the pair.

Made by Gorham, they are imprinted ...

A matched set, each of these eight, flat handle, solid silver individual butter knives measures 6" long. They are weighty, at 7.3 T. oz. the group.

These are older examples of Gorham's "Buttercup," marked with the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Patent 1900."

They are in outstanding estate condition, showing no polishing wear, without bends or nicks on the blades, and having bright, even finishes.

While the fronts have never been monogrammed, and the backsides are p...