Catalog: Silver: Coin Silver: Serving Pieces

A popular mid 19th century motif, the (acanthus) Leaf pattern of this c. 1865, 7 1/4" long, 1.3 T. oz., coin silver master butter knife was produced by a number of makers, including Albert Coles, whose "eagle, AC, bust" emblem appears on the handle backside.

It is of additional interest given it was marketed by Joseph Werne of Louisville, Kentucky, whose name is also stamped on the blade back, alongside Coles' hallmark. Werne was a one time partner of John Kitts (also with S.W...

Likely a preserve, although possibly a large sugar, spoon, this piece measures 6 13/16" long and weighs approximately 1.1 T. oz.

An "Olive" pattern, it was made by Farrington & Hunnewell, whose multi-part emblem appears on the handle back but is over stamped by the name of the retailer, "A.F. Burbank," Boston, 1853-67, and Worcester, 1867-80, Massachusetts.

It is also marked "Pure-Coin," which is a characteristically New England term for the silver standard...

Stamped with Albert Coles' three part "eagle/AC/bust" emblem, this 6" long, weighty feeling 1.3 T. oz., coin silver sauce or cream ladle dates from the mid 19th century.

The pattern, Jenny Lind, originated with Coles but was produced by innumerable other manufacturers of the time and was apparently well-received given the variety of inventory that remains extant...

A popular motif in mid 19th century silver design, the (acanthus) Leaf design of this 6 7/8" long, 1.2 T. oz., coin silver preserve spoon was produced by a number of makers, including Albert Coles, whose "eagle, AC, bust" emblem appears on the handle backside .

Gorham was another company which produced a leaf design. That line, named Josephine, was nearly identical to Coles', and patented in 1855, which is the approximate date of this piece...

A mid 19th century piece, this 6 3/8" long, .9 T. oz., jelly or large sugar spoon is marked with Albert Coles', New York City, "eagle, AC, bust" emblem.

Coin silver, it is a decorative item, with several design details typical of its period.

It has a twisted stem that leads to a broad, shaped end that is bright cut engraved in a design reminiscent of leaves, bellflowers, and fruit, with a diamond border on the front and wriggle work edging on the back...

Marked "Coin" and with the number "4," but without a maker's identifier, this particular 1860s "Medallion" pattern is illustrated in D. Albert Soeffing's benchmark Silver Medallion Flatware within a grouping that he classifies as "naive" or "primitive."

Soeffing shows a sugar sifter, while this is a 6 1/4" long, just over .8 T. oz., sardine fork...

Likely dating 1855-1862, this sugar sifter measures 7" long and weighs 1.2 T. oz.

It was made and sold by Philadelphia's "Bailey & Co.," and is so marked, along with a "lion, S, shield" with additional "lion" pseudo hallmark that was used while George Sharp was the company's manufacturing manager 1852-c. 1862 (Catherine Hollan Philadelphia Silversmiths).

The "S" indicates sterling, while a like mark with a "U" indicates coin silver, with the former introduced in 1855 (Hollan)...

This lengthy, 9 1/8", and weighty, 3.2 T. oz., berry scoop or shovel has origins in Boston, marked for "Bailey. Kettell & Chapman," 1854-58. It is also stamped "Pure-Coin," which is a characteristic New England term.

The handle is a die struck "Bead" pattern that appears on both the front and back sides. There is a cursive "EWL" monogram inscribed on the reverse...

A prominent, arguably the dominant, name among mid 19th century New York City retailers (before Tiffany's ascendency), "Ball, Black & Co." marketed a variety of work from important regional makers.

This coin silver piece is a large, 8 3/4" long, 1.9 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon, marked for BB & Co...

Generously scaled, this coin silver server measures 10 1/8" long overall, has a 4 1/2" by 3" at the widest, blade, and weighs 3.3 T. oz.

It is marked "Blynn & Baldwin," for the Columbus, Ohio, pair of jewelers with approximate dates 1850-60.

The handle is in a double-sided "Kings" pattern that almost surely has Philadelphia origins, with kindred patterns illustrated in Catherine Hollan's encyclopedic Philadelphia Silversmiths.

Intended to serve pie or pastry, the blade is a study...

Marked on the reverse "Palmer. Bachelders & Co.," this 6 7/8" long, 1.4 T. oz., coin silver serving spoon traces to 1860s Boston.

The pattern is Olive, which while a standard design that was widely produced, and notably popular in the Boston area, there are variations in design among manufacturers.

This example shows clean style, with balanced proportions and well-articulated detail.

A preserve spoon, it has a shell form bowl that is finished with a bright gold wash front and bac...

Measuring 6 5/8" long and weighing just over .5 T. oz., this mid 19th century spoon is marked "Coin" without any other identifiers. Given the style, it is likely New England or New York in origin.

A jelly or large sugar spoon, it has an engagingly naive quality about it.

The handle has a narrow stem, and flat, shaped, round, upturned end with a slight knob tip. The surface is engraved in a simple, but endearing, leaf and flower design. The flower appears to be a narcissus.

Tracing to mid 19th century Boston, this 6 3/4" long, .7 T. oz., jelly or large sugar spoon is marked "Currier & Trott" for the partnership between watchmakers and jewelers, Richard and Peter respectively, which lasted 1823-55.

The Fiddle Tipt pattern of this places it toward the latter end of those years.

A finely crafted piece, it has a shell bowl with notched and scalloped edges.

There is a finely engraved script "LR to ECL" monogram engraved on the handle backsi...

Tracing to the mid 19th century, this pair of coin silver tongs are early production items made by Cincinnati's premier firm "Duhme & Co.," as indicated by the stamp on the inside of each arm.

Possibly for use with a (pickle) caster, they are large at 6 5/8" long, and heavy at 1.7 T. oz., and combine a variety of period design elements.

The arms have a twisted central section joined to a solid squared block where they meet the substantially-scaled talon grips.

The upper portions are br...

The dominant silver house in Cincinnati from the mid 19th century onward, Duhme's first line pattern, No. 1, followed after the broad, fiddle shaped, handle design characteristic of the Ohio River Valley of the period.

The pattern had variants or close parallels, of which this 9 1/8" long, 1.9 T. oz., coin silver table serving spoon is one.

It has a plain, chamfered edge, shank (vs. twist handle on other versions), a knob end, and very high, pointed and beveled edge, shoulder...

One of William B. Durgin's earliest designs, the pattern on this 5 7/8" long, .64 T. oz., sugar spoon goes by the name Bridal, although it is also referred to as Bow, (Crossed) Ribbon or Knot, taken from the bow and knotted ribbon that appear on the handle front and back sides.

Introduced in the 1860s, it was initially made in coin silver and continued in production long enough to arc the transition to sterling, as examples in both standards exist (se...

One of William B. Durgin's earliest patterns, dating circa 1870, and commonly identified as Spray, this design features a bouquet of woodland flowers and grasses tied by a bow.

This motif appears in the top center of the handle, and is repeated on the lower front and backside heel of the join with the blade of this 6 3/4" long, 1.0 T. oz., master butter knife.

There is a script letter "R" monogram on the handle front.

The blade has a scalloped upper edge, upswept and pointed tip,...

A major name in mid 19th century Boston silver production and retailing, Farrington & Hunnewell was the maker of this 6 7/8" long, .9 T. oz., coin silver preserve spoon marked "< F & H >."

F&H were masters of bright cut and fine engraving, which this piece illustrates. The work on the front of this portrays anthemion and leaf detailing against a fine line background that mimics engine turning.

The handle has a rounded end with a slight "Tipt" backside, and a shield form reserve, whi...