Catalog: Silver: Sterling

The quality of design and execution evident in this 7 1/2" tall, weighty at 6.8 T. oz., solid silver muffineer aka sugar shaker or castor bespeaks the reputation of its maker and the jeweler who retailed it.

Redlich & Co., whose "lion" emblem appears on the underside, traces to George Shiebler through one of its two cofounders, Adolph Ludwig, who was a designer with the latter firm...

It is unusual to find an intact set of twelve ice spoons along with their original serving knife, aka slice, and even more so to have the set in such pristine condition as this group.

Made by Frank Smith, whose early "S in a circle" mark and "sterling" are imprinted on the backside of all pieces, along with the name of the retailer, "Worcester & Co.," Lowell, Massachusetts.

The server measures 10" long and weighs 2.7 T...

A popular motif from the 1880s, engraved versions of "Lily," actually "Lily of the Valley" with Aesthetic detailing, were produced by multiple manufacturers.

This matched set of eight, 5 15/16" long, 4.0 T. oz. the group, oyster, shrimp, or simply seafood, cocktail forks were made by Frank Whiting whose "W in a circle" and "Sterling" are imprinted on the reverses.

The handles are an "Antique" pattern with rounded ends and tipt backsides...

Measuring 8" long and weighing approximately 2.5 T. oz., this ladle is larger than a gravy and is likely for bouillon. It has a large, plum-shaped, 2 1/2" diameter, 1" deep, bowl with a central vee, flange shoulders, and a matte gold finish on the interior.

The arched handle is an "Old English" pattern with a "Reverse Tipt" end. The front has a satin finish and is extensively engraved in a floral (anemone) and leaf design...

This group of three pieces comprise a matched set, for either youth or traveling.

Sterling silver, they were made in Birmingham, England in 1833-34 by the firm of Taylor & Perry. The spoon is stamped with five identifying hallmarks, with the fork and knife having confirming partial marks.

The pattern is a robust grape leaf and fruit cluster that appears on the front and backsides of all three pieces. The spoon also has an elaborate, raised shell, motif on the heel reverse...

This 7" long place or dessert spoon stands apart on several counts, the first of which is its exceptionally heavy weight at marginally over 2.0 T. oz.

Secondly, marked "Tiffany & Co.," it traces to the early years of the firm when it operated solely as a retailer.

In this case the maker was Henry Hebbard, whose three part "star, H, anchor" pseudo hallmark appears on the handle backside...

Measuring 6 7/8" long, and weighty at approximately 1.5 T. oz., this spoon is stamped with Whiting's "winged lion" emblem, "Sterling," "Pat. Appd. For" (indicating it is an early production piece in the line), and with the name of the retailer, Brooklyn's "W(illiam). Wise."

The pattern is Persian, which dates from 1880. It is a Moresque design in the same genre as Tiffany's pattern of the same name, as well as Whiting's own Arabesque and Gorham's Hindostanee among others...

Bright cut engraved designs were popular among American silver manufacturers during the last quarter of the 19th century, with this generously-sized, 9 1/4" long, nearly 2.7 T. oz., pie server a quality example of the style.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling" appear on the "Old English" tipt handle backside, the pattern is "Chrysanthemum," issued in 1885.

The imagery is finely rendered in bright cut work set against a satin ground...

Lengthy at 9 5/8" and weighty at 2.9 T. oz., this serving spoon has a large, 4" long by 2 1/2" at the widest by 5/8" deep, bowl with flanged shoulders, a central rib in the base, and a gold washed surface that is bright cut and wriggle work engraved in a blackberry and leaves design.

Dating circa 1880, it is stamped "J.S...

Measuring a lengthy 5 3/4" and weighing a robust 1.7 T...

The Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers by Dorothy Rainwater indicates that "The Kalo Shop" was founded in 1900 by Clara Barck Welles and "went on to become the largest and most influential producer of handwrought silverware and jewelry in the midwest."

Rainwater further notes that "Mrs. Welles retired in 1940." Given that this 10 1/8" long, 3.6 T. oz., serving spoon is engraved on the backside, "AS HCM" over "Feb. 14, 1939," it traces to the founder's working years, which le...

One of Gorham's earliest full line patterns, references date it to 1865 although this 7 3/4" long, 1.4 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife is stamped "Patent 1867," indicating a later date and situating it just before the company's conversion to a sterling standard in 1868.

Other marks on this include Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, and the name of the retailer, Philadelphia's "Geo. H. Bechtel."

"Ionic" is a Greek Revival design that incorporates a central rosette with a stylized a...

Catherine Hollan in Philadelphia Silversmiths offers dates of 1876-87 for the firm of "McCarty & Hurlbert," which is the name that is imprinted on the backside of this 9 1/4" long, 2.4 T. oz., berry spoon. Antecedent firms trace back to c. 1845.

It is also marked "Coin," which is late for this standard, as most manufacturers had converted to sterling by the 1870s.

It has an "Old English" handle with a tipt backside and a bright cut fine flower and leaf theme on the front.

The poi...

This lengthy at 7 5/8" and robust at approximately 1.5 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife was made by New York's John Wendt, whose characteristic "Patent 925" (for sterling) and "Bailey & Co.," for the Philadelphia retailer appear on the blade.

The pattern is "Union," and is quite similar to "Gibney," designed by F.H. Gibney, later Whiting, with both it and "Union" issued in 1862.

The handle has a central leaf rosette and leaf tipped, oval end, all elements that are very much of its ...

A large piece measuring 8 1/2" long and weighing 1.8 T. oz., this table serving spoon bears one of the earliest marks, a "bird surrounded by a wreath," that the William B. Durgin Company used on its flatware.

It is also stamped "M.F. Robinson" for the Springfield, Massachusetts jeweler with dates of operation 1860-99, and "Sterling."

A non-line pattern, its relatively plain style with a broad, fanned, handle end with bright cut diamond and bellflower components, suggests a date circa 1880....

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).

Th...

This rendition of "Lily of the Valley" by Gorham is to be distinguished from the die struck pattern of the same circa 1870 date that features this flower and is also known as "No. 88," and certainly it is very far removed from the company's 1950 line called "Lily of the Valley."

An approach to silver flatware construction that was popular in the period, and one which showcases the artfulness of a given manufacturer, such items are assembled from a variety of components.

Made in a limited n...

The Baltimore Museum of Art volume Maryland Silver indicates George Webb (1812-90) was a second generation silversmith, although he trained under Hugh Gelston rather than his father, James Webb.

This source also notes that he "conducted his highly successful jewelry and silver shop under the name Webb & Co. on Baltimore and Light Streets with W.H. Sexton as a partner 1877-86."

As this 9" long, 2.2 T. oz., serving spoon carries this mark, along with the word "Sterling," it can be def...