Catalog: Silver

A fanciful item, this rattle measures 2 5/8" long. It is English in origin, with hallmarks for Birmingham, 1919-20, Sterling, and C&N for maker Crisford & Norris.

It is comprised of a mother of pearl handle fitted to a hollow body that portrays a jester's torso and head. The head is fitted with a three-pointed cap, the two side ones of which have bell tips. A pair of larger, open, clam shell, bell-like forms dangle from the shoulders, suspended by wrapped wire and clasps...

Measuring 4 3/8" long, and weighing just under .6 T. oz., this item has a scalloped edge, satin matte, gold washed front and back side, bowl with a reticulated center. It is a bon bon aka nut spoon.

The pattern is Whiting's "Heraldic," which appropriately enough 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...

Each of these footed drinking vessels measures 5 1/4" high, has a top span of 2 3/4", and a base diameter of 2 7/16". One weighs 3.9 T. oz., and the other 4.1 T. oz.

Made by Gorham circa 1865, they are coin silver and stamped with that company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem on the undersides.

They are identical except for the round, applied medallion that adorns the wall of each piece. One of these has a female figure and the other a male figure...

A matched pair, this spoon and fork are stamped in three places on the backsides of the sterling serving ends.

One is "Hecho in Mexico," the second is an "Eagle" with the number "23," and lastly the maker, which is "A E" surrounded by what appears to be an "M" and the word "Sterling."

Salad or chafing dish servers, they date from the mid 1900s, and have rosewood handles. The fork measures 11" long and weighs 2.0 T. oz., while the spoon is 10 7/8" and weighs 2.2 T. oz...

Measuring 2 1/4" by 1 3/4" and weighing approximately .7 T. oz., this belt buckle dates circa 1900.

It was made by William B. Kerr of Newark, New Jersey. The company emblem, "Sterling," and the model number "2448" are imprinted on the backside of the 3/8" wide, slightly curved, band that forms the body of the piece.

The backside is fitted with a pivoting crossbar to which two prongs that reach to the front are attached...

An English design that originated in the mid 18th century, "Onslow" has provided the inspiration for numerous American patterns of similar design.

This piece is a 5" long, just scant of 1.0 T. oz., cream or sauce ladle.

Marked only "Sterling," the maker is unknown, but the character of the work is Arts & Crafts, evocative of "Onslow" patterns produced by Arthur Stone and Tuttle, and suggesting an early 20th century date...

As did other makers, Whiting produced a number of diverse engraved patterns in the 1880s. These are largely unnamed and not even fully catalogued, although they are commonly executed on an "Antique," upturned handle, pattern, with a "Reverse Tipt" end.

This set of six, matching, 6 7/8" long, weighty at 7.4 T. oz. the set, tea or dessert forks are exceptionally fine examples of this mode, and in immaculate condition...

Dating from 1870, John Wendt's "Florentine" is an intricately detailed and finely rendered, Renaissance Revival, design.

This 10 1/8" long, 2.7 T. oz., item is a rare form, likely pudding, serving spoon.

It has a symmetrical, 4 3/4" long by 2 1/4" at the widest, oval blade or bowl with a slightly scooped interior. This has a deep, bronze colored, gold finish front and backsides, and delicate, stylized leaf and blossom engraving at the tip...

The largest of the round bowl soup spoons, gumbos are substantially sized items.

Consistent with that, this example measures 6 7/8" long and is quite heavy, at 1.7 T. oz.

The pattern is "Dauphin" by Durgin, issued in 1897.

Apropos of the name, the design is French in manner. It features a variety of high relief flowers and leaves, with a ribbon border. The backside heel of the roughly 2" diameter bowl features an expanded leaf portraiture, interpreted in a free-flowing, Art Nouveau...

Several sources identify this pattern as "Unique," made by Hotchkiss & Schreuder of Syracuse, New York.

Operating under various names from the mid to late 1800s, the "H&S" mark, along with "Sterling," imprinted on the blade of this 7" long, relatively weighty at 1.2 T. oz., master butter knife was used 1864-71 according to an entry in Rainwater's "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers."

The design is characteristic of the period, incorporating leaf and anthemion elements rather a...

A pattern originated by Henry Hebbard, a major name among mid 19th century, New York City, silver manufacturers, "Grecian" eventually became a stable among Whiting's full line offerings.

This example is a 7" long, weighty at 1.2 T.oz., dessert or oval soup, place spoon. It was made by Whiting, whose lion emblem, along with the words "Sterling" and "Pat 1862," appear on the backside.

The design incorporates three defining elements, all of which are derivative of the name. The dominant o...

A renowned firm in its time, essentially the first four decades of the 20th century, Currier & Roby was built on a partnership of two skilled silversmiths, one of whom was also a designer and researcher of early American silver.

This pair of of items is reflective of their high quality work. They are in the fashion of earlier styles, executed in an Arts & Crafts manner.

The main piece is a 5 5/8" diameter handle tip to handle tip, 1.1 T. oz., tea strainer. The actual strainer section m...

Measuring 6" long and weighing just scant of 1.0 T. oz., this four tine item is a pastry fork.

It is an original production example of Alvin's early 20th century, Art Nouveau, "Old Orange Blossom," informally known as "OOB."

It is imprinted with the Alvin emblem, and the words "Patent" and "Sterling," all in very fine lettering as would be expected of an early piece.

The handle end is upturned and has an Old English "W" monogram that is very shallowly inscribed and only faintly visib...

Marked only "Sterling," this c. 1860's pattern is a Whiting design commonly identified as "Calla Lily," taken from the three dimensional flower that adorns the end of the handle.

This example is a large, 10 1/2" long, just under 2.6 T. oz., serving spoon. It has an extra wide and deep bowl, to be distinguished from a nearly identical version with a smaller bowl.

This is assembled from a variety of parts, rather than being die struck as a unit, or a single casting. This approach was pop...

Standing 3 1/4" tall on a 2 3/8" wide rimmed base, this mustard pot is a very decorative item.

The holder is sterling silver with a lattice body with beaded detailing on the upper rim and handle. The 2" diameter lid has a raised flower, perhaps wild rose, and leafy scroll design with a solid thumb grip.

The liner is ruby red glass and is original to the piece, as is the 3 3/4" long, sterling bead and twist pattern mustard ladle. The total weight of the silver is 2.5 T. oz.

Dating f...

Frequently found as a presentation or commemorative item, this flat blade form of a trowel pie server lends itself to an inscription.

This 11 1/4" long example has an engraved margin, but is otherwise plain and without any erasures.

The large, 6" long by 3 1/4" at the widest, blade is sterling silver, as is the shank which is fitted with a turned, appearing to be rosewood or mahogany, handle. The piece weighs 4.8 T. oz., including the handle, which comprises a relatively insignificant a...

An Art Nouveau design issued in 1902, "Narcissus" is one of several floral patterns that Blackinton produced in the early 20th century.

This example is an 8 1/8", .9 T. oz., olive spoon. It is long-handle, versus standard size, which is less than 6".

The flowers are delicately scaled and arrayed around the end of the handle, with trailing leaves and buds set along the length of the shank.

The pierced bowl has flange edges, a pointed tip, and retains most of an original pale gold fin...

Measuring 5 1/2" wide by 2 5/8" high, and weighing a substantial 5.3 T. oz., this item was made by The Stieff Company of Baltimore.

Made for Colonial Williamsburg as part of an exclusive line, it is described in a 1976 catalog as "A design of classic simplicity copied from a bowl made by Philip Syng (1676-1739)."

It sits on a tiered base that is 3" across, and has an applied upper rim.

There is a line "MSB" script monogram on the side.

In exceptionally fine condition, it sits eve...