Catalog: Silver

No doubt responding to the late 19th century emergence of European enamel work as high fashion art, American silver manufacturers began to adorn examples their products with enamel detailing.

New York's Dominick & Haff seemed to favor its "Renaissance" pattern for this purpose, as this 6" long, just over .8 T. oz., teaspoon illustrates.

The design is intricate enough to accommodate enamel highlights as well as provide the necessary grid for the material to adhere to...

An engraved pattern dating from 1916, Towle's "Merrimack" reflects the Colonial Revival qua Adams-esque design sensibilities of the period, and embodies as well Arts & Crafts character in its hammered surfaces.

This example is a 6 3/4" long, 1.5 T. oz., cucumber or tomato server. It has a pierced blade that is roughly square at 2 1/2" wide and 2 5/8" back to front.

It is without a monogram or removal and in outstanding condition...

An early, original, example of International's Art Nouveau, lily motif, "Frontenac," this chocolate muddler measures 8 1/4" long and weighs a generous 1.3 T. oz.

It has an upturned handle end, a 1 1/2" round bowl that retains a residue of its original gold wash, and is marked with the Simpson, Hall, Miller helmet over shield emblem of International, "Pat.," and "Sterling."

Without a monogram or removal, it is in superb condition...

Measuring 1 5/8" in diameter, standing 1" high, and weighing just over .7 T. oz., this plain band napkin ring is stamped "Sterling" and with the model number "11" on the inside. It is without a maker's identifier.

It has a matte finish surface with knurled margins and a bright cut leaf and scroll design.

There is a "TGM" script monogram in the reserve area of the engraved design, while the inside of the band is inscribed "From J.W.F. Jr. Dec...

At 9" long and weighing a substantial 2.1 T. oz., this large table or serving spoon has Scottish origins.

It is clearly stamped with a castle for Edinburgh, a thistle for sterling, a date letter W for 1828, and a bust duty mark. The maker's initials are "JH," for John Hay whose dates correspond with this.

The handle features a "Kings" pattern on the front, and a plain backside with a thumb drop on the heel of the bowl.

There is a script "G" monogram...

A large item measuring 8 1/2" long and weighing a robust 3.1 T. oz., this serving piece is variously identified as a pea, vegetable, or ice spoon. The determinative characteristic of this form is a generously-sized, reticulated bowl, and indeed that is the case with this example in Gorham's "Imperial Chrysanthemum." The piercing in this instance is a leaf design...

A full-size soup ladle, this piece measures 13" long and weighs a massive 7.7 T. oz. The generously-proportioned bowl reinforces the overall sense of scale, at 4" in diameter and 1" at the deepest.

The pattern is Towle's courtly "Georgian." It resembles a Corinthian style column surmounted by a basket of roses and draped with a garland of roses. A third rose detail is set midway up the handle...

Stylistically related to Durgin's well-received "Fairfax," "Colfax" was introduced some twelve years later and also established itself as a highly regarded pattern.

The backsides of the two designs mirror each other, while the front of "Colfax" adds an egg and dart margin and delicate central embellishment.

This example is a 6 1/8" long, weighty, 1.2 T. oz., individual salad fork...

A early production item, c. 1865, for Gorham, this serving spoon is marked with the firm's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and "Gorham Mfg. Co."

It is large, measuring 8 7/8" long, with an essentially round bowl that is 3" in diameter and 1/2" at the deepest, and heavy, weighing nearly 2.8 T. oz...

A lengthy 8 3/4," and weighing just over 1.2 T. oz., this tablespoon has a broad, tipt end handle that is characteristic of lower Ohio River Valley and environs design. And indeed, it is stamped "D. Mendel" and "Louisville," confirming its origins.

With one exception, standard references offer no information about this mark, and that one identifies it with David Mendel, 1852-65.

A private source, citing Boultinghouse "Silversmiths of Kentucky," notes there are two possibilities, David a...

An undocumented pattern, this Art Nouveau, floral, design stands alone among Wallace offerings.

This piece is a 6 1/8" long, just over .8 T. oz., sugar spoon.

It is unusual in that the upper end of the handle is hollow, while the lower portion is tubular. This provides for a thicker than usual grip, and also enables more detailed design elements, which include a blossom, bud, and sinuous leaves set against a textured background.

The bowl is decorative, in keeping with the overall de...

This napkin ring is a plain band of solid silver that measures 1 5/8" in diameter, stands 1 1/4" tall, and weighs just over 1.0 T. oz.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem is stamped on the inside, it is model number "673" which is also imprinted on the interior, along with the word "Sterling."

Dating circa 1880, it is Aesthetic or Eastlake in style, engraved in a pattern that is part foliate and part stylized.

It has a fancy, feathered script, "HMR" monogram.

The condi...

One of Gorham's earliest coin silver master salts, this is also an exceptionally fine example of the form.

Model number "18," as identified on the underside, along with the rare "left lion" version of Gorham's hallmark, the word "Coin," and the name of the retailer, "W.H. Talbot & Co.," Indianapolis. Interestingly, most sources cite Talbott for spelling of this firm, with the exception of Kovel's which cites Hiatt "The Silversmiths of Kentucky" as its source and uses a single "T."

This i...

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

The 3/4" deep, nearly round, 2" diameter, bowl with a central vee, flanged shoulders, and slightly tipped lip, on this 6" long, 1.2 T. oz., sauce ladle is engraved in a Palmetto leaf motif that is evocative of Egyptian Revival style. The bowl interior also retains most of its original, bright...

A dramatic example of Modernist design, Gorham's "No. 791" tea set, commonly identified as "Hibiscus," seems to take its inspiration from early 20th century Danish style as especially associated with Georg Jensen.

Offered as a three piece set, this is the pot. It stands 6" tall to the top of the finial, has a main body that is 4" at the widest, 5" to the end of the spout, and has a sterling and ebonized wood handle that extends 4 1/4" at a slight upward cant from the body. It weighs 14.1 T...

Delicate and slender, this lettuce fork is extra long at 9 5/16". It weighs just over 1.0 T. oz.

The pattern is Whiting's late 19th century "Dresden," which is a charming and intricate floral design that features what appear to be forget-me-not blossoms and leaves trailing up the handle. A shell surmounts the handle tip and there is acanthus leaf detailing in other areas. The pattern repeats with slight variation on both sides of the handle.

The lower portion of the handle is plain an...

Measuring 6 3/8" long and substantial weight at over 1.8 T. oz., this pair of tongs is marked with a crowned harp, Hibernia, and "GN" in an oval. These letters are ascribed to George Nangle of Dublin, whose dates are either side of 1800.

Staunch and clean, these were made to a standard and no doubt intended to serve dutifully while presenting with a quiet nobility.

The elongated cup grips have high shoulders that, which, along with the length of the arms, have beveled edges. The arch i...

A multi-motif figural design, "Fontainebleau" was one of several exceptional patterns that Gorham produced in the late 19th century.

This piece is a 6 1/4" long, approximately .9 T. oz., sugar spoon.

It has an elongated, plum-shaped bowl with hatched edge shoulders. The interior has a matte finish.

The handle portrays a maiden in courtly garb, carrying a kettle in one hand and a pitcher and saucer in the other.

It is without a monogram or removal and in very good condition. It ...