Catalog: Silver: Sterling

A replica of a style that has its origins in the pre-Georgian era (see Old Friends item 2971f), this pair of sugar nips carry hallmarks in two places for London, sterling silver, 1921, and maker HF, likely Harrison Fisher, which was a Sheffield based firm.

They measure 4 5/8" long, are 1 3/4" across at the handles when closed, and open to a span of 3 5/8" at the shell grips. Weight is .9 T. oz...

Classically inspired, featuring figures from mythology, "Medallion" flat and hollow ware evolved in the 1860s and was produced by numerous manufacturers of the period.

In its ascendancy at the time, Gorham produced a "Medallion" that set a standard for the motif, becoming in fact the line of choice for then retailer only "Tiffany & Co."

This 6 7/8" long, 1.2 T. oz., piece is variously identified as a tea, dessert, or breakfast fork...

The "Aesthetic" motifs empolyed on this finely engraved, 8 5/8" long, approximately 1.7 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon reflect the same design sensibilities that informed the Eastlake style of its c. 1870 period.

The handle is "Old English" with a rounded end and "Tipt" backside.

It is diamond cut engraved in a motif that incorporates grasses, a fern leaf, and a central floral rosette.

The bowl has a pointed tip, notched edges, and five raised vees extending toward the center...

An 8 1/2" long, 1.8 T. oz., large berry or other serving spoon, this piece is marked "W.P. Jones," along with "Sterling," for William P. Jones, Newburyport, Massachusetts, who formed a partnership with Anthony F. Towle in a firm that eventually became A.F. Towle Silversmiths, then Lunt.

It has a twisted stem and flat, rounded end, handle. This and the generously proportioned, 3 1/4" by 2 1/4", bowl are bright cut engraved in the Aesthetic taste. It likely dates from the mid 1870s...

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...

This lengthy at 9 1/8", and weighty at just under 2.5 T. oz, spoon was produced by Wood Hughes, whose "WwH" emblem and "Sterling" appear alongside the patent date.

The pattern is "Angelo" which is a Renaissance Revival design that also shows Persian stylistic influences.

Having a large, 3 3/4" long by 2 3/8" at the widest, bowl, this is likely a salad serving spoon, although it certainly could function as a rice or platter piece...

One of several patterns that originated with John Polhamus and was later continued in production by George Sheibler, "Princess" was first issued in 1874. It incorporates Greek Revival and Moorish design elements reflective of its period.

This example is an 8 7/8" long, 2.0 T. oz., berry or other large serving spoon.

It has a plum-shaped bowl with a pointed tip and scalloped edge, fluted heel...

An example of Shiebler's Month series of flatware introduced in 1902, this four tine, likely youth, fork measures 6 1/4" long and weighs a substantial 1.2 T. oz.

The month is March with the corresponding flower being Violet.

Decidedly Art Nouveau in manner, the portraiture is expressively sinuous and fluid as is characteristic of the mode.

There is a flowing script "WKH" monogram engraved on the handle front...

This 1.9 T. oz., 6 1/2" long, solid silver gravy ladle is generously proportioned.

It is marked "Sterling" and "H & S" for Hotchkiss & Schreuder, Syracuse, New York, which firm operated operated under this name c. 1857-71, preceded by Bunnelle & Schreuder and succeeded by A.B. Schreuder.

The "H & S" mark continued in use even after the dissolution of the partnership between the two principals in 1871 ((Rainwater Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, citing Soeffing).

The ...

Measuring 6 3/8" long and weighing just over .8 T. oz. (26 grams), this piece is a youth fork in Gorham's classical Medallion pattern.

A multi-motif design, this piece features the profile of a left-facing female, possibly Hera, who was the queen of the gods.

The backside is plain save for the marks which are Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Pat. 1864" and "Sterling," along with the name "Robby Lew." engraved in script lettering on the end.

In excellent condition, the f...

Items originating from various members of the renowned Bateman family of English silversmiths appear with individual maker's marks and in combination with one another.

This pair of 5 1/2" long, .9 T. oz., tongs is stamped "PB/WB" for Peter and William Bateman. Other marks include a "lion passant" for sterling, a date letter for 1809-10, and a "bust" duty mark.

A fully period piece, this has slender, tapered, arms with a broad arch and cupped grips and is extensively bright cut in a leaf an...

Marked with Durgin's "D" emblem along with "Sterling" and the number "2," this 7 3/4", approximately 1.0 T. oz., long handle olive spoon is not immediately identifiable as a regular line pattern.

The open work at the end of the handle, in company with the design details, evoke the Durgin's rarely found 1887 Alcazar pattern, although this is not an exact match. Other aspects of the pattern resemble Durgin's (French) rococo 1891 Louis XV.

Whether a variant of one of these patte...

Marked with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted" on the backside heel of the bowl, this is an early production example of the company's 1888 Versailles pattern.

A table, i.e. serving, spoon, it measures 8 1/2" long and weighs an exceptionally heavy 2.44 T. oz.

The pattern is multi-motif and known for its portraiture of scenes from daily life at the palace of Versailles and the court of French King Louis XIV.

The imagery on this features a seated...

Finely crafted, this 8 5/8" long, 1.74 T. oz., serving spoon has an Old English, i.e. rounded end with tipt back, handle.

The plain front typical of earlier Old English design has been embellished on this. It has a feathered edge introduced in the 1770s and bright cut work characteristic of the 1780s.

In addition, the reserve at the handle end is engraved with a very fancy, feathered line script, "RL" monogram that is of a style consistent with these dates.

T...

Designed by Antoine Heller, renowned for his Beaux Arts figural patterns such as Versailles, Fontainebleau and Mythologique, equally commanding St. Cloud is by contrast non-figural.

Its leaf and anthemion subject, with tight, circular, elements reminiscent of fern fronds suggests Aesthetic influences, which is in keeping with its 1885 date of introduction.

This item is a 6" long, just under 1.0 T. oz. (30 grams), ice cream spoon.

The bowl is len...

A 7 5/8" long, 1.7 T. oz., item, this piece is marked "W.J. Behan," along with "925 Sterling."

W.J. Behan is an elusive name to document, at least as relates to silver.

It is most associated with William J. Behan, who was mayor of New Orleans from 1882 to 1884, but there is no record that he was ever involved in the silver retail trade.

There is also a reference in an 1898 edition of the Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review to a person of this name representing the "Newark ...

This solid silver open master salt dish has a bowl that measures 2 1/2" in diameter, is 1 3/8" tall, weighs 1.7 T. oz., and stands on three supporting hoof feet legs.

Georgian in style as befits its 1769 date, it has a round body with an applied beaded top rim with an encircling, line detail inscribed 1/8" below this.

Otherwise the bowl is plain, noting that the underside is engraved with a block letter "E * B" monogram, along with full hallmarks including a "leopard h...

An Indo-Persian pattern, Gorham's Hindostanee was issued in 1878, as indicated by the "Pat. 78" that appears on the handle backside of this 7 3/4" long, 1.77 T. oz., serving spoon.

Other marks include the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and the word "Gorham," which may indicate the piece was sold in the company's New York City store, or it may simply be a redundant mark.

Gorham used a number of bowls for this line, and that on this, a small berry or preserve spoon, i...