Catalog

Measuring 7" long and weighing not quite 1.0 T. oz., this preserve or jelly spoon traces to Boston, circa 1860.

It is stamped "· F&H ·" for Farrington & Hunnewell, along with "Pure-Coin," which is a characteristically New England regional term designating the silver content.

The arched handle has an anthemion-shaped end suggestive of its circa 1865 Greek Revival period, which along with the main shank, is finely engraved in an intricate leaf and scroll design.

Boston design...

Measuring 8 3/16" long and weighing approximately 1.3 T. oz., this lettuce fork is more substantial than most examples of this form, which tend in general to be delicately scaled.

The pattern, Altair by Watson, dating from 1904, is broadly rococo in manner. Named for a star, and having Arabic roots meaning "flying eagle," the design possesses a celestial quality to it, resembling perhaps a cosmic cloud.

The tines, two of which are splayed and one barbed, are relatively wide and join...

Measuring 5 5/8" long and weighing .8 T. oz., this sugar spoon was produced by Unger Brothers, Newark, New Jersey, whose entwined "UB" surrounded by "Sterling" and "925 Fine" mark appears on the backside.

The pattern is Douvaine, issued in 1904. Douvaine may be the most recognizable of the numerous early 20th century Art Nouveau flatware patterns Unger generated and for which the firm is renowned.

An expressive design, it features a dolphin or fish image at the tip of the han...

A New York City company which operated in the 1940s and 1950s until its trademark was taken over by Towle, Mueck-Carey produced silver wares such as this baby cup.

In like new condition, without any dents, bends, or splits, and showing a brilliant finish, it stands 2" high to the rim, is 2 3/8" across, with a maximum reach of 3 1/2" to the end of the handle, and weighs 1.3 T. oz.

A perfect cylinder, it has a rolled rim, rounded lower edge with a brushed finish on the underside, and a brigh...

Issued in 1900, Alvin's Majestic is a multi floral pattern that features one of eight different flowers on each piece.

This example is the larger of two sizes of sugar tongs available in the line. It measures 5" long and weighs a robust 1.3 T. oz.

The flower is iris, which appears at the top and mid portions of the handle, and impressively, on the talon form grips.

The margins of the handle and lower section show trailing, sinuous, leaves, all in keeping with the Art Nouve...

A piece attached to the early history of Chicago, this coin silver sauce or small gravy ladle is marked "Speer & Cosper" "Chicago," for a partnership of only two years duration, 1852-53, although Isaac Speer had been in business as a jeweler and watchmaker since 1840, and continued on after the pairing dissolved.

This is an unusually proportioned piece. It measures 7" long, with a handle that is lengthy in comparison to the 2" by 1 1/2" by 1/2" deep oval bowl. It weighs 1.1 T. oz.

The patt...

This Reverse Tipt teaspoon measures 5 1/2" long and weighs .74 T. oz.

It is clearly stamped with pseudo hallmarks that include a "lion passant," a "leopard face," "YS," and a "bust."

Intentionally mirroring late Georgian English style and period hallmarks, this is an example of Chinese Export silver, produced in this instance in Canton by the maker Yatshing aka Yat Shing.

As export silver, it would likely have been made to a sterling standard and is well crafted.

This mid 1850s piece is stamped with a three part, "bust, letter, lion" pseudo hallmark and the name "E. Benjamin," for the New Haven, Connecticut jeweler, Everard Benjamin, son of well-known silversmith Barzilli Benjamin.

An olive variant which incorporates what may more accurately be interpreted as anthemion or honeysuckle portraiture, this design is attributed in Silver in the Golden State to the San Francisco firm of Frederick R. Reichel, and identified by the name Olive.

Each of these two spoons measures 5 1/4" long with the pair weighing 1.2 T. oz. combined.

Ice cream spoons, they have twisted stems with rounded ends that are engraved in a floral and leaf design with faux engine turning.

Each one is also inscribed in the frontside reserve area with an Old English "M.E.S." monogram. The backsides are plain save for the word "Sterling."

The bowls have notched shoulders and slightly pointed tips.

The overall form and design suggests a date circa 1870. ...

Dating from 1872, Gorham's Corinthian embodies the Greek Revival and Moorish sensibilities of its 1870s period. Architectural in style, it incorporates an anthemion leaf on the handle surmounted by leafy tracery.

This example is a lengthy at 8", and weighty at 1.3 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife.

The broad, 1" wide, flat blade has a scalloped upper edge and is engraved on the upper surface in a design that mirrors the pattern.

The handle is inscribed with a fancy, feath...

An early line pattern first issued in 1861 to a coin silver standard, "Cottage" continued in production for many years, through Gorham's transition to sterling in 1868.

This 7" long, T. oz., preserve spoon is an early example marked "Patent 1861" and "Coin."

The bowl is shell form with a scalloped and dotted edge.

There is a feathered script "HSS" monogram delicately engraved sideways on the handle front.

This is in outstanding estate condition, absent polishing wear or damage and s...

An early 20th century pattern, Wallace's "Violet" is an expressive Art Nouveau floral design.

This example is a 7 1/4" long, 1.3 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon.

A large blossom occupies the central portion of the handle and is surrounded by additional blossoms, buds, and leaves the full length of the handle and on the backside.

The pattern also extends onto the scalloped edge, rounded end, bowl.

Never monogrammed, this is a fine example, with clear pattern detail. The only signs of ...

The 1880s generated innumerable engraved floral flatware patterns from various manufacturers, with Gorham's 1885 "Jac Rose" one of the most well-received. Its appeal continues to the present day.

This example is a large, 5 1/4" long, 1.0 T. oz., pair of sugar tongs.

The basic pattern is an "Old English," i.e. "Antique Tipt," with an open blossom, bud, and leaves engraved on a matte finish ground at the top and midpoint of the arms.

The grips are highly detailed talon or claw form, with ...

The larger of two sizes of sugar tongs that Reed & Barton produced in one of its flagship Art Nouveau designs, Les Cinq Fleurs, this item measures 4 5/8" long and weighs a relatively heavy 1.2 T. oz.

Issued at the turn of the 20th century, the pattern features a variety of deeply textured and highly detailed flowers, each one specific to the particular item.

The portraiture on this is poppy.

It has talon grips and a wide arch with raised edges on either side.

The arms s...

A long handled version, this olive spoons measures 7" as against a regular length 5 1/2" or so for this form. It weighs .7 T. oz.

Made by Watson, the pattern is Bridal Flower, introduced in 1910.

Although dating from late in the Art Nouveau period, this follows fully after that style, with a very fluid interpretation of the lily blossoms that form the centerpiece of the design.

The gold finish bowl (front and back sides) is shell form, with scalloped edges and a ribbed and...

Measuring 4 7/8" long and weighing just under 1.0 T. oz., this sardine fork has a 2 1/2" by 1 1/2", seven tine serving end with a pierced heel.

The pattern is Nuremburg, issued by Alvin in 1903.

The design incorporates the face of a horned, devil-like, figure masked in the detail of the overall pattern. This image is presumably meant to suggest the grotesque medieval gargoyles for which the German city of Nuremberg in known.

The handle front is engraved in script with an "O'L" mo...

An American variant upon the English Kings pattern, Dominick & Haff's Charles II features a convex shell on the handle front with a honeysuckle ornament and a heavily beaded border. The backside has a concave shell on the end with the same beaded border as the front, and is otherwise plain.

There is a lined script "R" monogram engraved in the area between the shell and honeysuckle.

This example is a 6 1/8" long, 1.1 T. oz., sol...

This 6 15/16" long, 1.25 T. oz., place, aka oval soup or dessert, spoon speaks through time in multiple voices.

First, the pattern which is Ruby by John Polhamus (later Shiebler) is a superb expression of the Greek and Egyptian Revival modes popular in its 1870 period.

It features a central palmette set atop something akin to a papyrus leaf. There is a rosette flanked by ivy leaves situated on the pointed tip end. These elements are surrounded by addition...