Catalog

About as large as such an item might be, this napkin ring stands 2" high, is 1 13/16" in diameter, and weighs a robust 1.9 T. oz.

It was made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," model number "1670," and date letter "Q" for 1884 are stamped on the inside wall.

Plain sided, there are double rolled bands of roses with thorny vines and leaves set on the bias, impressed top to bottom. This alternates with diamond bright cut detailing bordering the rolled bands a...

A spectacular example of pattern and form preserved in impeccable condition, this solid silver cake saw measures 10 3/4" long and weighs 2.8 T. oz.

Made by Wood & Hughes, the pattern is Viola, issued in 1875. The design incorporates an arch, palmettos, anthemia, and scrolling, drawing together Greek, Egyptian, and Gothic Revival elements in a successful amalgamation of period motifs.

The handle front incorporates an elegant, engraved, Victorian style, "OR" or "RO" monogram.

The f...

An early piece marked on the inside of one leg with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted," this pair of tongs measure 5 1/4" long and weigh a substantial 1.55 T. oz.

Introduced in 1883, the pattern is Cluny, which is one among the many enduringly appealing lines originated by Gorham's renowned designer Antoine Heller.

The pattern features dense, high relief, floral elements with rosette and palmetto accents, set on a three-lobed handle end.

The grips a...

Made by Reed & Barton and akin to the company's Harelquin line of flower designs, this orange or grapefruit spoon has a cast handle with a narrow, branch-like stem.

An older piece, it is marked with R&B's "eagle, R, lion" emblem and the word "Sterling."

Measuring 5 3/8" long and weighing .6 T. oz., the pattern is an Orange or Orange Blossom, interpreted in something of an Art Nouveau manner.

Strongly naturalistic and intricately detailed, the fruit is round and full...

Period items dating to the mid 19th century, each of these two footed master salts is stamped "10.15" for the peculiar-to-Baltimore area silver standard that is roughly equivalent to coin.

Round and matching, each one measures 2 1/4" in diameter and 1 1/4" tall. They are moderately heavy, weighing 2.5 T. oz. combined.

Each one has a body that is repoussed all over in a leaf and flower pattern, with a reserve area that has never been monogrammed. There is an applied plain top rim. On...

Generously-sized, this tea ball is a 1 3/4" diameter perfect sphere, hung from a 5 3/4" long chain with a ring end.

Solid silver, it weighs just over 1.0 T. oz. and is marked on the inside lip of the top half, "Sterling" and with the three part emblem of the "Howard Sterling Company," Providence, Rhode Island, used 1891-1901.

The interior of both the top and bottom are stamped "24."

It has a pierced dotted pattern top and bottom halves that forms an eight-pointed star.

In addition, t...

Modestly sized at 1 3/4" diameter, 1 3/8" wide, and weighing just over .5 T. oz., this napkin ring could have been part of a child's set (along with a mug, plate, and/or porringer for example), although not necessarily.

It has a three lobed body, the top and bottom ones of which are embossed in an Ivy and Vine pattern.

Again, this naturalistic portraiture is pastoral, almost naive, in its theme and could suggest the innocence of a child.

The interior is finished in a bright gold ...

A matching group in a Tipt aka Fiddle Tipt pattern, three of these four (two shown) teaspoons measure 5 1/2" long and one measures 5 3/4". The three collectively weigh 1.6 T. oz., and the single one .6 T. oz.

They are of archival interest for both the maker and the retailer.

Stamped with Whiting's "winged lion and W" emblem and "Coin," they are very early examples of a major 19th century silver manufacturer's modest origins.

Well-crafted and precisely-formed items with bri...

Note: while the above image shows six of these forks, this listing is actually for eight identical, all original, pieces.

Made by Frank Whiting, this set of forks is marked with the company's "W in a circle" emblem, "Sterling," and the number "2" on the backsides.

Measuring 5 3/4" long each and weighing 4.0 T. oz. the group, they are oyster, shrimp, or seafood cocktail forks.

Each piece has three tines, one of which is hooked, all joined to cupped heels with subtly notched should...

Offered in both sterling silver and silver plate, Harlequin was a floral series issued by Reed & Barton and generally made in a variety of generally smaller items.

These seven, 4" long, 2.35 T. oz. the group, coffee or demitasse spoons are early pieces marked with the company's "eagle, R, lion" (later items are stamped "Reed & Barton") along with "Sterling."

Cast rather than die struck, they are highly textured, possess intricate detail, and show a soft gray finish on the silver. Th...

This 8" long, 2.3 T. oz., solid silver sugar sifter is high Victorian in style. It is also a study in the silversmithing art.

Hallmarked for London, 1875-76, sterling, with a Queen's duty head, and "HH" for maker Henry Holland (later Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater), it carries considerable provenance. Holland and the subsequent firm were recognized as one of the most significant English silver manufacturers of their time.

This is artful in multiple ways.

First to be noted is the overall p...

A 6" long, just under 1.0 T. oz., item, this ladle has a bowl that measures 2" in diameter and is 1/2" deep.

It is a cream or sauce ladle in Whiting's Heraldic, which apropos of the pattern name, is dominated by the image of a medieval helmet set at the top of the handle. The remainder of the design incorporates a dense array of high relief, scrolling acanthus leaves.

The bowl on this is the fancier of two that Whiting used for this line. It has a scalloped rim and raised, leafy ...

Designed and introduced by silversmith Albert Coles, New York City, in the mid 19th century, the flatware pattern Jenny Lind met with success in the marketplace and was in time produced by other manufacturers in addition to Coles.

This 8" long, approximately 1.6 T. oz., coin silver place spoon (tablespoon in today's usage) is an early example, stamped with Coles' three part emblem and the name of Rochester, New York retailer "[Elias S. and Jacob] Ettenheimer."

It is also engraved in...

An elaborate figural design ssued in 1891, the central motif of Dominick & Haff's Cupid is a winged cherub. While always a cupid's face and portion of the upper torso, there is variation in the specific portraiture from piece to piece.

Overall, the pattern is rococo in style, featuring a series of scrolls and leafy elements arrayed in an asymmetrical manner.

This example, a 10" long, heavy at 3.9 T. oz., solid silver ice cream knife is one of the largest and most commanding serving...

This preserve or jelly spoon measures 6 7/8" long and weighs 1.0 T. oz.

It is a mid 19th century, coin silver, piece in a French Thread aka Fiddle Thread pattern.

The 2 1/4" bowl is shell form with a scalloped and notched edge and high, rounded, shoulders at the join with the handle.

Never monogrammed, it is in excellent condition, absent polishing wear, free of dents, bends, or tears in the bowl, and with a pleasing patina. There are light surface scratches consistent wit...

This spoon is a commemorative of one of the climactic events of the 19th century, namely the Chicago World's Fair, formally the World's Columbian Exposition.

Made by Whiting, whose "standing lion with W" and "Sterling," are stamped on the backside, this measures 5 7/8" long and weighs just under 1.0 T. oz.

The front of the handle incorporates the name of the event, along with "1893," as well as "Chicago" arrayed over a "star" and a staunch looking "phoenix head" (so identifie...

Produced in the greatest number between 1780 and 1840, English meat skewers varied little in form (Thomas Waldron, Antique Silver), although as this example illustrates, they ranged in size.

Generally quite lengthy (there are three others offered on Old Friends between 10" and 12" long), this piece measures 7" and weighs approximately .6 T. oz. Its size actually sets it apart.

It is fully hallmarked for London, 1805-6, sterling silver, and maker Thomas Wallis.

The shank is...

A matched pair, this 9" long fork and 8 7/8" spoon could be used in combination as a serving set or individually.

Heavy items, the fork weighs nearly 3.6 T. oz., and the spoon close to 3.4 T. oz., for just under 7.0 T. oz. combined.

The pattern is Gorham's Coligni. These are early, original issue, items marked with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G," "Sterling," and "Copyrighted '89" on the backsides.

This Antoine Heller design stands alongside other enduring Gorham patterns originated b...