Catalog

A well-known name among 18th century Philadelphia silversmiths, (John) Christian Wiltberger's (1767-1851) working years extended until 1819 according to Catherine Hollan in "Philadelphia Silversmiths."

This 6" long, .6 T. oz., teaspoon bears his characteristic stamp on the backside.

It has a slightly down turned, "Reverse Tipt" handle, and an exposed drop on the bowl backside.

There is a very fancy, feathered script "MK" monogram on the handle front.

This is a finely made, clean ...

The naturalistic "Ivy" motif of this c. 1870, 7 7/8" long, approximately 1.2 T. oz., cream or sauce ladle is to be distinguished from Whiting's line pattern of the same name.

The latter was a die struck design originated by Henry Hebbard, while this is a labor intensive, built up, piece made from cast leaves joined to a wire stem that in turn is wrapped with smaller wires made to resemble tendrils. The entire shank and leaves have a matte gold finish.

It is model number "39" according t...

Large at 8 9/16" long, and weighty at over 3.1 T. oz., this pea spoon has a generously scaled, round, 3" diameter, 7/8" deep, bowl. This has intricate scroll and bell flower piercing and a gold finish on both sides.

Made by Durgin, the pattern is "Bead," which was introduced in 1893.

The design incorporates a beaded border on the handle, which has a tipt end on the slightly upturned front and a plain end on the back.

There is an Old English "H" monogram.

An estate piece, this is ...

One of Gorham's earliest line patterns, "Josephine" is a leaf motif that has contemporaneous parallels with designs produced by William Gale and James Watts.

This example is a large, 8 3/4" long, 1.8 T. oz., berry spoon. It has a scallop shell bowl that has an essentially intact gold wash finish on the interior and an enlarged repeat of the leaf motif on the backside heel.

The handle has a fancy, feathered script "JL" monogram.

It is in outstanding condition. There is minimal polish...

These two identical teaspoons each measure a lengthy 6", are slender, have an exposed drop on the heel of the bowl, and show a midrib running down from the subtle tipt end on the backside of the handle.

They also have deeply beveled and highly angular shoulders coming off the bowls.

The pair weight approximately 1.0 T. oz. combined, and each one has the same feathered script, period "HM" monogram engraved on the front.

Each one is imprinted with a right facing "eagle" pseudo hallmark...

Bearing an early mark used 1896-1914, "S. Kirk & Son Co. 925/1000," and with the model number "471," this pair of tongs measure 4 1/4" long and are relatively heavy at approximately 1.0 T. oz.

One of several sizes made in the "Repousse" pattern, probably varying over the decades long production run of this pattern, this one is medium length.

It has highly articulated talon grips.

Never monogrammed, it is in choice condition. There is no polishing wear and the finish is bright. The ...

Imprinted with a duty mark (bust) that was used only from July 6, 1797 to May 28, 1798, during the reign of George III, this piece is also stamped with a lion for sterling, date letter "B," and "TW," for Thomas Wallis.

It is a small, well-crafted, 5" long, .7 T. oz., sugar sifter, with a round, 1 1/2" diameter, bowl that has a flat bottom and a tapered wall.

The handle is slender and gracefully curved in the lower portion and then broadens, finished with a reverse tipt, "Old English," te...

A straw for drinking yerba mate, this bombilla (bomba) measures 7 3/4" long and weighs just over 1.1 T. oz.

The pierced bowl is stamped "Plata Industria Argentina" and "800" in a diamond. This is hinged for opening and has a threaded end that fits into the tube.

The tube itself has a gold tip that is stamped "18K." This appears to be a solid band wrapped around an inner lining. The stem is divided into several distinct sections, two of which are knurled. The upper portion has a facet...

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...

Asymmetrical, this picture frame measure 4 5/8" at the widest and 3" at the tallest. The silver only portion, without the glass or backing, weighs approximately 1.7 T. oz.

The piece is cast open work, rococo in style, and fully marked for sterling, William Comyns, London, 1895-96.

The design is intricate and incorporates a variety of figures and leaf and floral elements surrounding two roughly heart shaped, 1 1/2" by 1 1/4", areas for pictures.

A pair of cherubs flank a shield on th...

This two piece set is large, with the knife measuring 14" long and the fork 10 7/8", and often referred to as banquet size. The sterling silver handle on the knife is 5" and the one on the fork, 4 3/4".

The pattern is Gorham's old "Medici," which is an elaborate design that features Renaissance period figures, including a woman carrying a bundle of fruit in her skirt, as well as satyr and gryphon images

These are particularly early examples, marked "lion, anchor, G," "Sterling," and "Co...

One of Towle's most enduringly popular patterns, "Georgian" remained in production for decades subsequent to its introduction in the late 19th century.

This 7 5/8" long, heavy at nearly 2.2 T. oz., cold meat fork is an early example of the line marked "925/1000," with the Towle "standing lion in a T" emblem, "Sterling," "Patent 1898," and the name of the retailer, "Bruce & Chapin," of Worcester, Massachusetts.

It has four tines, one of which has a beveled edge; the basket of flowers and ...

Classified as Egyptian Revival in style in a "Silver Magazine" article some years ago, "Ivy" is one of Gorham's earliest line patterns. Dating from 1865, it stands alongside "Lotus," "Grecian," and "Lily" aka "No. 88," as one of the most well-received designs of the period.

This example is a 5 3/16" long, just under .5 T. oz., five o'clock coffee spoon.

This is a particularly elegant item, with a relatively large bowl that is finished in a bright gold wash front and back sides.

The r...

Marked only "Sterling," this circa 1865 "Kings" pattern is readily identified. Among other features, it incorporates a rosette in the design, which was a detail particular to Philadelphia's Peter L. Krider, later Krider & Biddle.

This attribution is further reinforced by the somewhat eggplant-shaped bowl with raised central ribbing on this 8 1/2" long, approximately 1.8 T. oz., berry or serving spoon. This is a form singular to Krider.

The interior of the bowl has a matte gold finis...

A matched pair, this sugar and creamer were a 25th anniversary gift, as indicated by the "ABF to MFCC 1859-1884" inscribed on the sidewall of each piece.

Made by Tiffany, they are hollowware accompaniments to the company's 1872 "Persian" flatware line. The Moorish pattern is replicated on the two handles of the bowl and the single handle of the creamer, with a modification of the design appearing on the banding that encircles both the top and bottom of each piece.

The creamer measures 3...

This pair of sugar tongs measure 5 1/16" long and are exceptionally weighty at approximately 1.7 T. oz.

They are marked on the inside of each arm "GS" for George Smith III, working in London the last quarter of the 18th century.

They are finely made and in choice condition.

Each arm is bright cut in a diamond pattern with wriggle work trim. This extends around the margins of the round cup grips and the broad, concave arch.

The arch has a novel crest illustrating the tail of a fis...

This substantial-sized, 9 1/2" long, just under 2.6 T. oz., piece bespeaks its 19th century Philadelphia origins.

It is stamped "Sterling" and "Robbins, Clark & Biddle" on the reverse. According to Catherine Hollan in "Philadelphia Silversmiths," this firm was operating by 1876, which is the approximate date of this piece. Samuel Biddle left the company in 1878 to form Bailey, Banks & Biddle.

An ice cream server, it has a large, concave, blade. There are two round bottom vees with cur...

A charming item with a poignant provenance, this sterling item is model number "B885" made by Gorham, as identified by the marks on the underside.

It measures 4" at the widest, is 2 1/2" across on the base, and stands 2 1/2" high to the top of the knob on the lid. The total silver content is 4.0 T. oz.

The interior is finished in a bright gold wash, and the piece retains its original (lambswool?) puff in mint condition.

The reason for its fine condition is bittersweet, as it was lit...