Catalog: Silver: Sterling

Gorham's numbered items were non full line specialty pieces sometimes produced in variety of forms and sometimes offered only as a single piece.

This example, a tea caddy spoon with a likely late 19th century date, is stamped with the number 406 on the reverse, along with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling."

It measures 3 5/8" long and weighs just over .5 T. oz.

Comprising slightly more than half the length of the piece, i.e...

An early 20th century pattern, Wallace's "Violet" is an expressive Art Nouveau floral design.

This example is a 7 1/4" long, 1.3 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon.

A large blossom occupies the central portion of the handle and is surrounded by additional blossoms, buds, and leaves the full length of the handle and on the backside.

The pattern also extends onto the scalloped edge, rounded end, bowl.

Never monogrammed, this is a fine example, with clear pattern detail...

The 1880s generated innumerable engraved floral flatware patterns from various manufacturers, with Gorham's 1885 "Jac Rose" one of the most well-received. Its appeal continues to the present day.

This example is a large, 5 1/4" long, 1.0 T. oz., pair of sugar tongs.

The basic pattern is an "Old English," i.e. "Antique Tipt," with an open blossom, bud, and leaves engraved on a matte finish ground at the top and midpoint of the arms...

Made by International, whose Simpson, Hall, Miller division "helmut" emblem, "Sterling," and model number "C 1960" appear on the backside of the handle, this tea strainer is in the Arts & Crafts mode and likely dates from the first quarter of the twentieth century.

It is over-the-cup style, with a round, 2 1/8" diameter by 3/4" deep, pierced, bowl. This has a narrow rim with a rolled edge...

The larger of two sizes of sugar tongs that Reed & Barton produced in one of its flagship Art Nouveau designs, Les Cinq Fleurs, this item measures 4 5/8" long and weighs a relatively heavy 1.2 T. oz.

Issued at the turn of the 20th century, the pattern features a variety of deeply textured and highly detailed flowers, each one specific to the particular item.

The portraiture on this is poppy.

It has talon grips and a wide arch with raised edges on either side...

A long handled version, this olive spoons measures 7" as against a regular length 5 1/2" or so for this form. It weighs .7 T. oz.

Made by Watson, the pattern is Bridal Flower, introduced in 1910.

Although dating from late in the Art Nouveau period, this follows fully after that style, with a very fluid interpretation of the lily blossoms that form the centerpiece of the design...

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...

An American variant upon the English Kings pattern, Dominick & Haff's Charles II features a convex shell on the handle front with a honeysuckle ornament and a heavily beaded border. The backside has a concave shell on the end with the same beaded border as the front, and is otherwise plain.

There is a lined script "R" monogram engraved in the area between the shell and honeysuckle.

This example is a 6 1/8" long, 1.1 T...

This 6 15/16" long, 1.25 T. oz., place, aka oval soup or dessert, spoon speaks through time in multiple voices.

First, the pattern which is Ruby by John Polhamus (later Shiebler) is a superb expression of the Greek and Egyptian Revival modes popular in its 1870 period...

A strikingly well-crafted piece, this 5 7/8" long, .8 T. oz., souvenir spoon was marketed by Bath, Maine, jeweler "A.G. Page Jr.," whose name along with the word "Sterling" is stamped on the backside.

The handle has straight, tapered sides with a curved end with angular shoulders.

The surface is diamond cut engraved in a brilliant Aesthetic design with an open area at the end that has a satin matte finished surface. This is engraved "Sam." over "July 11th" "1892." in fancy script letterin...

Each of these two spoons measures 5 1/4" long with the pair weighing 1.2 T. oz. combined.

Ice cream spoons, they have twisted stems with rounded ends that are engraved in a floral and leaf design with faux engine turning.

Each one is also inscribed in the frontside reserve area with an Old English "M.E.S." monogram. The backsides are plain save for the word "Sterling."

The bowls have notched shoulders and slightly pointed tips.

The overall form and design suggests a date circa 1870. ...

Dating from 1872, Gorham's Corinthian embodies the Greek Revival and Moorish sensibilities of its 1870s period. Architectural in style, it incorporates an anthemion leaf on the handle surmounted by leafy tracery.

This example is a lengthy at 8", and weighty at 1.3 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife.

The broad, 1" wide, flat blade has a scalloped upper edge and is engraved on the upper surface in a design that mirrors the pattern.

The handle is inscribed with a fancy, feath...

Born in 1897, James Brett Hamlin's life encompassed nearly the full span of the 20th century as he lived until 1994.

A silversmith and pewterer with a specialty in jewelry, he studied and worked in New York City until settling in Maine about midpoint in his life, and where he remained active until about 1980. One source describes him as a "true modernist."

This 5 7/8" long, nearly 1.3 T. oz., gravy ladle is an apparently rare example of his flatware work executed in sterling silver.

It ...

Issued at the turn of the 20th century, Tiffany's Florentine takes its name from the city whose identity is synonymous with the Italian Renaissance, and fittingly the decorative elements of the pattern derive from design characteristic of that period.

This example is a 6 1/4" long, very heavy relative to size at nearly 1.4 T. oz., youth fork with a line script "ALW" monogram engraved in the reserve area of the handle front.

In good condition, this retains clear pattern detail and pr...

One of William B. Durgin's earliest designs, the pattern on this pair of matching 6" long, relatively heavy at 1.9 T. oz. combined, teaspoons 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.

They are stamped "Crosby, Morse & Foss" for the Boston firm with dates 1869-75, and "Patent." They also bear a "925 over D in a shield" emblem,...

Measuring 8 3/16" long and weighing approximately 1.3 T. oz., this lettuce fork is more substantial than most examples of this form, which tend in general to be delicately scaled.

The pattern, Altair by Watson, dating from 1904, is broadly rococo in manner. Named for a star, and having Arabic roots meaning "flying eagle," the design possesses a celestial quality to it, resembling perhaps a cosmic cloud.

The tines, two of which are splayed and one barbed, are relatively wide and join...

A New York City company which operated in the 1940s and 1950s until its trademark was taken over by Towle, Mueck-Carey produced silver wares such as this baby cup.

In like new condition, without any dents, bends, or splits, and showing a brilliant finish, it stands 2" high to the rim, is 2 3/8" across, with a maximum reach of 3 1/2" to the end of the handle, and weighs 1.3 T. oz.

A perfect cylinder, it has a rolled rim, rounded lower edge with a brushed finish on the underside, and a brigh...

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.

The margins of the handle and lower section show trailing, sinuous, leaves, all in keeping with the Art Nouve...