Catalog: Silver: Sterling

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...

Standing 4 1/2" tall overall on a splayed, 2 1/2" high, pedestal foot that is 3" across on the bottom, and with a bowl measuring 4 1/2" across, this solid silver footed bowl or small compote weighs 7.2 T. oz.

Designed and executed in an Arts & Crafts manner, and likely dating from the early 20th century, it appears to be hand formed, showing, for example, distinct hammering marks on the underside of the foot that carry through very subtly to the exterior surface...

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...

Generously scaled at 9 1/2" long, and weighing 2.44 T. oz., this serving spoon has a particularly large, 4" long by 2 5/8" at the widest, bowl.

It could have been intended for berries, but the size suggests another use such as vegetables, or in Southern usage, rice.

The handle is a Pointed Antique shape and is convex...

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...

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.

Never monogrammed, this is in pristine condition, sho...

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...

This solid silver bowls stands 3" high on a rimmed base that is 3 1/4" across, has a top diameter of 7 1/4", and weighs a substantial 14.18 T. oz.

It is marked on the underside with the "hammer over Stone" emblem of Arthur Stone, "Sterling," and "G" for benchman Herman Glendenning, who was with Stone from 1920 to 1936.

Glendenning seems to have been a major presence in the Stone studio. He is referenced numerous times in Elenita Chickering's foundational volume Arthur J. Stone 1847-193...

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...

Arthur Stone's name holds magisterial standing among American Arts and Crafts silversmiths of the first half of the 20th century. He and the workshop he established bespeak only the finest of hand worked products.

This piece is evidence of the above assertion. It is a 7 1/8" wide, heavy at 6.95 T. oz., plate with a 1" wide raised rim with an applied double lined edge.

It is imprinted with Stone's characteristic "hammer" emblem and "Sterling," along with a "T," for shop assistant Herbert Ta...

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...