Catalog: Silver

Measuring 2" wide by 2 1/2" long, 3 1/4" inclduing the loop, and weighing 1.1 T. oz. (35 grams), this all silver pendant was produced in Taxco, Mexico, by the firm of "los Ballesteros," likely in the mid 20th century.

Hollow with a flat back, it is heart-shaped and has a ball set in the top center. This in turn is fitted with a ring with an attached looped band for accommodating a chain...

While the pattern on this 5 7/8" long, .9 T. oz., likely 1870s or 1880s, sugar spoon is by an unidentified maker and without a name, the design and execution bespeak a sophisticated American manufacturer, and there are enough various pieces of this that surface to confirm it was issued as a full line.

The pattern is intricate and rather courtly, in a Henry VIII or Elizabeth I manner...

Exceptionally large, this solid silver pie server measures 10 1/4" long, has a blade that is 5" by 2 7/8" at the widest, and weighs 2.9 T. oz.

Marked "Ball, Black," "925" for sterling, and "Patent," the pattern is Arabesque, made by John Wendt, New York City, and issued in 1871. Arabesque is often (mis)identified as Monroe.

A Moorish design, Philadelphia's George Sharp produced a similar unnamed line...

Wallace produced an extensive line of largely floral numbered patterns in the early years of the 20th century.

An example from that series, this 5 9/16" long, .61 T. oz...

Wallace produced an extensive line of largely floral numbered patterns in the early years of the 20th century.

An example from that series, this 5 7/8" long, .74 T. oz. teaspoon is number "107" as imprinted on the backside, along with Wallace's "R W deer head & S" emblem and the word "Sterling."

An openwork design, the handle obverse features perhaps palm or other leaves on a stem.

The reverse is plain save for a fancy, delicate, feathered script "ENL" monogram...

Zebulon (alternatively Zachariah as noted by Belden in Marks of American Silversmiths) was listed in New York City directories 1815-20 and from 1822-70 in Sag Harbor, on Long Island. He spent 1821-22 in Salisbury, North Carolina as a partner with Edmund Burnham.

The plain, rounded and downturned end with a smooth back, style of this 9 1/4", 1.4 T. oz., coin silver serving spoon dates circa 1820, tracing to his NYC years or even his short period in NC...

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...

Standing 2" tall, with a top span of 4 3/8" and a base diameter of 3", this solid silver child's (porridge) bowl weighs 3.83 T. oz.

It has a slightly splayed body with a relatively thick rolled top rim, and a set back foot...

Made by the mid 19th century Boston silver manufacturer Farrington & Hunnedwell, this 5 15/16" long, .77 T. oz., coin silver sugar spoon was retailed by Worcester jeweler Benjamin Goddard, whose name, along with the maker's "F&H" mark, appears on the handle backside.

Very much in the manner of its 1860s period, and engagingly so, it has a twisted stem and a flat, shaped-edge, handle that is bright cut and wriggle work engraved in a period design...

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...

A specialty, limited production, piece, this 6 1/4" long, very heavy at 1.32 T. oz., spoon shows exceptional crafting...

This piece is fully hallmarked for sterling silver, London, 1891-92 and the partnership of "J.T. Heath" and "John Middleton," operating as "Hukin & Heath." This firm was renowned for producing items inspired by famed English designer "Christopher Dresser."

This 10 3/4" tall silver and cut glass claret jug is in full conformity with other examples of such Dresser items from this source, and as such is an important example.

Similar examples are held at the Victoria and Albert Museum i...

Measuring 6 7/8" long, and weighing 1.16 T. oz., this piece is stamped "N. Harding & Co." for the mid 19th century Boston firm established by Newell Harding. It is also marked "Pure Coin," which was a standard designation largely used in the New England.

It is a double die struck Olive pattern, meaning the design appears on both sides of the arched and upturned handle.

A jelly or preserve spoon, it has a generously sized, 2 1/4" by 1 1/2" at the widest, shell bowl with scallo...

The first full line flatware pattern produced by Rogers, Lunt, & Bollen, later simply Lunt, Dorothy Q was carried forward from antecedent firm "A.F. Towle & Son Co." which introduced it in 1883.

This example is a 6" long, .77 T. oz., early production sugar spoon, marked with the R L & B three part emblem and the word "Sterling."

The handle is Old English in style with a plain Tipt backside and a front that is extensively and engagingly engraved in a star shaped flower ...

An especially fine, c. 1870, regional period piece, this lengthy at 10 7/8" overall, 3.1 T. oz., solid silver pie or pastry server is marked "Bigelow. Bro's & Kennard.," for the prominent 19th century Boston firm, along with "925" in an oval, for sterling.

The handle is an Old English pattern with a Tipt backside. The front is engraved in a motif that is identified as either Buckle or Garter. The interior of this is further engraved "E.S.F. from G.W.F."

I...

Larger than most such pieces, this fish slice measures 12 1/8" long and weighs a substantial 3.7 T. oz.

The pattern is Lady Washington, which was one of Gorham's early lines, dating from 1876, the year of the American Centennial. That anniversary may have occasioned the development of the design given the name is associated with the first family of the then new nation.

The pattern features the profile of a courtly looking female figure set against a background of classical imagery t...

Produced by the Chicago silver firm of Wendell Manufacturing Company, Ariel is a highly expressive pattern.

Sculptural in manner, the central design element is a cherubic figure set against a dense, decorative background.

It is strongly reminiscent of Dominick & Haff's Labors of Cupid, which it predates by five years, introduced in 1895 vs. 1900.

It is a multi-motif line, meaning the figural representation varies between different pieces.

This example is a 5 5/8...

A novel item laden with sentiment, this large, handled (tea)cup has a body with a top diameter of 3 1/2" and a maximum span of 4 5/8" to the end of the handle. It stands 2" high to the rim, has a base that is 1 7/8" wide, and weighs 2.96 T. oz.

It is stamped on the underside "Shreve & Co.," "San Francisco," "Makers," "925-1000," and "Sterling."

It has a double Greek Key motif, expressed first and dramatically in the flat band handle and secondly in the applied rim with pale blue enam...