Catalog

This ice cream knife or slice is about as large an example of such things as can be found. It measures a full 12" long and weighs just over 5.0 T. oz.

It is solid sterling silver, with a 7 1/2" by 1 3/4" flat blade that has a beveled lower edge and upswept, pointed, tip. The upper edge is perfectly straight.

The pattern is "Corona" by Dominick & Haff. It incorporates a shell design that appears on both sides of the handle terminus and at the join with the blade.

The handle front h...

An early example of Whiting's Art Nouveau "Lily" pattern, this piece is marked with the company lion emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. App. For."

A cream or sauce ladle, it measures 5 3/4" long and is relatively heavy at 1.5 T. oz.

The handle is engraved with a feathered script "P" monogram, while the bowl is finished front and backsides with a pale, satin, gold wash.

It is in superb condition, showing no wear or even evidence of use. All the pattern detail remains clear and well-defined an...

Measuring 7 1/8" long and weighing approximately 1.0 T. oz., this size spoon is variously identified as a place, dessert or oval soup.

This example is in a "Fiddle Tipt" pattern and is stamped "Kirby," for Abner, "Milwaukee," and with a "P, eagle, star" pseudo hallmark.

In his work on marks, William McGrew identifies this combination of symbols with William Pitkin of Hartford, Connecticut, but he also associates the particular eagle on this with Chicago, which is a much more likely source ...

Solid silver, this plate measures 6" across and weighs 3.2 T. oz.

For bread and butter, the form functions well as a wine coaster, and an item this size could accommodate a 1.5 liter bottle.

The pattern is "Louis XIV" by Towle, whose "T around a lion" emblem, "Sterling," model number "5435," "Patented Dec. 23. 1919" all appear on the underside.

Never monogrammed, it remains in excellent condition, free of bends, dents, or nicks, and has a fine finish. There is no polishing wear at all t...

This 10 3/4" long, heavy at 4.3 T. oz., French spoon carries a "bearded man with square corners" hallmark for 950 standard silver (higher than sterling which is 925) used 1819-1838, a Paris guaranty symbol with corresponding bigorne, and a maker's mark "LL" with a cross between the letters and stars above and below.

A platter, stuffing, or basting spoon, the pattern is a "French Thread" aka "Fiddle Thread."

It has an upturned handle with an elegant, feathered script "MB" monogram engraved...

This 4 5/8" long, 1 1/8" high, 2.8 T. oz., almond dish is a recast example of Gorham's model number "1990" piece. Please refer to preceding item 3221f for an example of the original item.

While this is a relatively well executed instance of a reproduction, clear differences exist with an authentic, first run, piece.

Overall clarity of detail on this is rather lacking, with the surfaces largely smooth rather than conveying the full subtlety of the shells and barnacles.

The interio...

Gorham produced a number of items related in motif to its fabled "Narragansett" line, of which this 4 7/8" long, 1" high, 2.3 T. oz., almond dish, model number "1990," is an instance.

Such pieces utilized marine forms, including shells, crabs, and barnacles joined together to form the end product.

This body of this example is a large shell, with a smaller shell functioning as the foot, while the base is covered in barnacles.

The perception is that Gorham used actual artifacts and life f...

References indicate that William Braisted Heyer, born 1776, began his working career in New York City at the end of the 18th century and continued until his death in 1828, and for a short while during this time was in partnership with Jesse L. Gale.

Based on its style, with a straight sided, rounded end, slender handle with a slightly tipt backside, this spoon dates circa 1810.

It measures a lengthy 6", and has a weighty feel at approximately .8 T. oz.

Well crafted, it has a gently arch...

A late 19th century "Kings" pattern variant, Dominick & Haff's "Charles II" features a prominent raised shell on the handle front and concave one on the back, as well as a heavily beaded edge, along with honeysuckle detailing characteristic of "Kings."

This item is a 5" long, weighty feel, approximately 1.0 T. oz., sauce or cream ladle engraved "Helen" in script set sideways on the handle.

In outstanding condition, it was evidently little used as there is no polishing or other wear, and th...

Measuring 8 1/2" long and weighing a substantial 3.8 T. oz., this is a nut serving spoon with a generously proportioned, four lobed, 3" diameter, reticulated and gold washed, bowl that is set on the same plane as the handle.

The pattern is Dominick & Haff's "Renaissance," which features an image of a Florentine style, north wind looking, bearded figure located midway on the handle and with an expanded version of this set on the backside heel of the bowl (see image 2).

There is a lightly in...

Drawing upon Moorish, i.e. Islamic, design sensibilities, Whiting's 1880 "Alhambra" is a non-figural pattern akin to the company's "Arabesque" of the same period.

This example is a 6" long, approximately .8 T. oz., sugar spoon with a gold washed, shell shaped bowl.

Never monogrammed, it remains in choice condition. Polishing wear is nil and the finish is bright. The bowl is free of dents, nicks, or burrs, with the only sign of use some loss of the gold, most notably on the backside.

It ...

Named for the renowned Florentine craftsman who embodied the artistic richness of the Italian Renaissance, "Cellini" by Wood & Hughes was issued in 1875 at the height of Renaissance Revival era in American design, and is one of the less readily found patterns of this period.

This example is a 6 7/8" long, 1.0 T. oz., preserve spoon.

The oval thread handle has flanking knobs at the midpoint, and a raised, repeating bellflower design along the interior margin.

There is an exquisitely rend...

All original with a deep green velvet back and a green satin front, set in a solid silver, 10 1/8" by 8 1/8" frame that by itself weighs 2.8 T. oz., this piece is marked "Web Sterling" and dates from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century.

It is in very good condition, without any breaks or bends in the silver, although there are light surface scratches. The inset shows some fading around the edges under the frame. The backside brace remains intact, along with a brass hanging ring. The two pins ...

One of Unger Brothers renowned, early 20th century, Art Nouveau designs, "Cupid's Sunbeams" features the faces of two cherubic looking, probably female, figures.

They are surrounded by trailing leaves that flow up the length of the handle of this 5 15/16" long, .9 T. oz., teaspoon.

The reverse is engraved "Estelle" in flowing script, while the front has a small, Old English "E" inscribed in an open area below the figures.

In good condition, it shows slight polishing wear, and a bit of u...

Full size dinner forks measuring 7 5/8" long each, and weighing a hefty 12.1 T. oz. the group, these six matched pieces are marked with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and "Sterling" on the handle reverses, and "Copyrighted" on the handle edges.

The pattern, "Medici" aka "Old Medici," dates from 1880. It is a complex design that features imagery and figures representational of the Italian Renaissance. In this instance the primary subject is a young man in festooned garb with a sword hanging...

A standard design that was first produced in the coin silver era, and continued after the adoption of the sterling standard in the mid 19th century, "Oval Thread" is a "Pointed Antique" with a tipped end and lined border.

This 6 15/16" long, 1.4 T. oz., example is a place, aka oval soup or dessert, spoon stamped "J.E. Caldwell & Co." for the renowned Philadelphia firm, and "925" in an oval, for sterling. This style of "925" mark was commonly used in Boston, suggesting this piece may originate...

Born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1788, James Nevins Hyde was a silversmith with a presence in both New York City and New Orleans.

This example of his work, a 5 7/8" long, .6 T. oz., "Reverse Tipt" teaspoon with an exposed drop, bears the mark "Hyde & Nevins," referencing his 1814-19 partnership with his cousin Rufus Nevins.

Sources indicate Hyde also began marketing in New Orleans in 1816 or 1817, with his brother-in-law, Charles Whiting Goodrich, moving there in 1818 to support this enterp...

Issued in 1963, Lunt's "Rondelay" is inspired by classic French design, but presented with a clean, modern flair.

This example is a 6 3/8" long, quite heavy at 2.3 T. oz, gravy ladle with a 2 1/2" by 2 1/4" bowl that has decorated shoulders and a flanged rim.

Never monogrammed and showing no signs of use, this flawless estate piece has a bright finish.