Catalog: Silver: Sterling: Flatware

While a pattern in general production, but without a documented name or maker, the design on this 8 3/4" long, 1.83 T. oz., sterling silver berry or other serving spoon incorporates a dense array of Greek Revival and Moorish design elements.

Likely dating from the 1870s, one private researcher has postulated Fessenden of Providence, Rhode Island, as a maker. Seymour of Syracuse produced some similar work, as did San Francisco sources, so no true solid attribution is at hand...

This 8 7/8" long, relatively weighty 2.8 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon has a rounded "Old English" handle with a tipt backside.

A highly refined piece, it has an overall matte finish and is finely engraved in what appears to be a wild rose or dogwood floral design on the handle, and a detailed butterfly set amidst bamboo or similar leaves in the bowl.

These motifs are very much in the Aesthetic style of its circa 1880 period...

A 7 1/8" long, just over .9 T. oz., this item is emblematic of its c. 1880 period.

Marked only "Sterling" and "27" on the otherwise plain backside, the maker is unidentified and neither the shape of the blade and handle, nor the particular engraving is definitive as they are singular.

Decidedly "Aesthetic," i.e. "Eastlake," in mode, the bright cut and wriggle work engraving portrays ferns, grasses, flowers, along with non-representational detailing...

Issued in 1900, Alvin's Majestic is a multi floral pattern that features one of eight different flowers on each piece.

This example is the larger of two sizes of sugar tongs available in the line. It measures 5" long and weighs a robust 1.3 T. oz.

The flower is iris, which appears at the top and mid portions of the handle, and impressively, on the talon form grips...

An original, early production item made by Alvin in one of the benchmark Art Nouveau floral patterns of the early 20th century, Alvin's Bridal Rose features a raised, sculptural in manner, portraiture of rose blossoms, leaves, and thorny stems stem on a handle with a slightly upturned end.

This 5 5/8" long, relatively weighty at 1.3 T...

This 5 1/4" long, .8 T. oz., bon bon (or petit fours server) was made by Alvin whose "A" flanked by an "eagle and a sword" emblem and "Sterling" is imprinted on the handle backside.

An unnamed pattern, its scrolling, asymmetrical margins are suggestive of Whiting's Louis XV, although this version is more elaborate than Whiting's.

The dominant feature of the piece is its large, 2 7/8" by 2 3/4", pierced and embossed, bowl with a piecrust front edge and flange rim...

An impressively designed line of Art Nouveau flatware issued at the turn of the 20th century, Alvin's Majestic features a variety of floral imagery.

The portraiture on this 6" long, just over .8 T. oz., olive spoon is iris. It is offered in high relief, with multiple blossoms situated at the handle end, and one midway, on the front. The backside portrays sinuous, flowing leaves...

The larger of two cold meat forks that Alvin offered in its Majestic line of flatware introduced in 1900, this piece measures 8 5/8" long and weighs a robust 2.4 T. oz.

A multi-motif floral, the portraiture on this is "peony."

Producer of such touchstone Art Nouveau designs as Raphael and Old Orange Blossom, Majestic reflects the same sensitivity to the subtle, flowing sensibilities of the mode, all expressed inprecise, intricate detail...

Issued in 1910 (some sources indicate 1890), Alvin's Marie Antoinette, bespeaks its French design origins in its delicate, raised, detailing which includes garlands, wreaths, ribbons, and laurel leaves, all set on a plain ground. The pattern repeats on both sides of the handle.

This example is a 7 7/8" long, 2.2 T. oz., small berry or perhaps vegetable serving spoon.

It has a large, 3 3/8" by 2 3/8", bowl with squared corners...

Measuring 4 7/8" long and weighing just under 1.0 T. oz., this sardine fork has a 2 1/2" by 1 1/2", seven tine serving end with a pierced heel.

The pattern is Nuremburg, issued by Alvin in 1903.

The design incorporates the face of a horned, devil-like, figure masked in the detail of the overall pattern. This image is presumably meant to suggest the grotesque medieval gargoyles for which the German city of Nuremberg in known.

The handle front is engraved in script with an "O'L" mo...

Measuring 6 1/8" long and weighing just over .8 T. oz., this pickle fork is an early example of Alvin's 1905 Art Nouveau Old Orange Blossom pattern, informally known as OOB.

Early pieces distinguish themselves from later ones and reproductions by their exceptionally fine detail and finish. In addition, the handle is up-tipped, while later made pieces have flat handle ends.

The marks, Alvin's three part emblem, "Sterling," and "Patent," are finely rendered and are a part of t...

Alvin's Raphael is one of the most impressive of the myriad early 20th century Art Nouveau figural flatware designs offered by American manufacturers near the turn of the 20th century.

A multi-motif pattern, it features a full-sized woman in various poses, differing from piece to piece, along with floral detailing that also varies from piece to piece.

The flower on the handle of this 6" long, just over 1.0 T. oz. (32 grams), teaspoon is an orchid or iris and it repeats...

A relatively large item, this gravy ladle measures 7" long, has a 2 1/2" by 2" by 3/4" deep, oval bowl, and weighs just under 2.3 T. oz.

Fashioned in an Arts & Crafts manner, it was produced by Arthur Stone whose "Stone and hammer - Sterling" symbol, along with a benchman's "B" for Charles W. Brown, or possibly George Blanchard, appears on the handle reverse.

The angular "Coffin End" handle was one of Stone's early designs, first issued in 1910.

A plain piece, i.e. never monogrammed or...

Identified as the first pattern produced by renowned silversmith Arthur Stone, "Round End" was issued in 1901 and reflects the clean, direct style which was emblematic of the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century.

This example is unusual in three aspects.

First is the form of the piece, a fully original, 7" long, cheese scoop, which is a rare item from this maker. It has a semicircular end with a chamfered lip.

Second is the exceptional weight at 2.0 T. oz., resulting in a thi...

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.

The engraving extends onto the flange of the bowl, and into the hee...

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...

An uncommon specialty pattern produced by Baker-Manchester, this 5 3/16" long, .5 T. oz., spoon is marked with the company's "M in a shield flanked by eagles" emblem, "Sterling," and model number "D 2."

Dating from the early 20th century, the handle design is an Art Nouveau style Carnation surrounding a cherubic-looking child's face. This feature is offered in relief and and quite charmingly presented, with clear features that include a shock of curly hair.

A 5 o'clock (tea) spoon, ...

While a matching pair, these two large serving pieces come from different sources, with slightly different dates.

Both are marked for London, England, and sterling silver. The earlier one is an 11 3/8" long, 2.9 T. oz., platter, aka stuffing or basting, spoon. It is marked "PB/AB" for Peter and Ann Bateman, and with a date letter for 1798-99.

The second piece is an 11" long, also 2.9 T. oz., runcible spoon (which is actually a fork with a spoon bowl) marked "RC" for Richard Crossley...