Catalog

This item traces to mid 19th Baltimore and reflects the character of early silver from that city.

Sugar tongs, they measure 5" long, and at 1.7 T. oz., are exceptionally heavy for their size.

Stamped "S. Kirk & Son" and "10.15" for the peculiar-to-Baltimore silver standard that is essentially equivalent to coin, each arm is chased in a high relief flower and leaf design that is akin to Kirk's holloware of the period, as illustrated, for example, in Maryland Silver published b...

Solid silver, this child's dish measures 4 1/4" across, stands 1 5/8" high and weighs 2.6 T. oz.

Marked on the underside "International" alongside the "C in a crescent" emblem of the Watrous division of that company, and "Sterling," it is identified as a model number "608/1" child's bowl with a likely early 20th century date.

Well-made, it has a sturdy applied upper rim, a rounded lower edge, and a flat bottom with a brushed finish on the underside.

The sidewall is acid etched in two sc...

A choice period piece dating from the third quarter of the 19th century, this item is marked "English Sterling," along with model number "404."

Although without any other identifier, "English Sterling" was a short-lived term generally only used by makers John Wendt and William Gale, both New York City, and often appears on pieces retailed by Ball, Black & Co., also New York City.

A solid silver master salt dish, this is cauldron shaped, with a bowl that measures 2 1/8" across. It stands 1 ...

The spoon represented in the above image is one of a set of six matched pieces that measure 4 5/16" long each and weigh 2.6 T. oz. the group.

They present with something of a mystery.

Coffee spoons, the pattern matches Whiting's Renaissance Revival Arabesque pattern in every detail, save the backside of the bowls are stamped "800," which represents a German silver standard used prior to 1886 (Arabesque was issued in 1875).

Whether these were a direct copy manufactured by a...

As documented by Flynt & Fales in The Heritage Foundation Collection of Silver, Eleazer Wyer, born in Boston in 1786, learned goldsmithing from his father (of the same name), and his sister married silversmith Timothy Keith, so the trade was clearly a family tradition.

Eleazer relocated to Portland, Maine about 1806, and from 1814-18 was in partnership there with Charles Farley.

Four of these six, essentially matched, coffee or tea spoons are marked "Wyer & Farley" along with an "ea...

Measuring 7 3/4" long and weighing 2.0 T. oz., this fork has rounded shoulders and three wide and lengthy tines, the outer two of which are splayed.

The form is uncommon and hence of uncertain function. It may be a spinach or toast/bread fork, or for another purpose yet. The proportions assure it is definitely original and not adapted from another piece as, for example, most potato forks are derived from dinner forks.

The maker was George Sharp, Philadelphia, as indicated by his "lion, S, ...

Gorham's first iteration of what eventually evolved into three, four counting "King George," interpretations of this standard English design, "Kings I" was issued in 1876.

The pattern incorporates traditional elements such as shell and honeysuckle, and embellishes them with rosettes and an acanthus leaf pendant.

This example is a generously sized 7 1/2" long, 2.1 T. oz., gravy ladle.

The bowl is particularly decorative (see enlargement two for detail). It has a wide, curved, rim with a ...

Exceptionally weighty at 3.6 T. oz., this 8 3/4" long berry or other serving spoon is marked with the three part emblem of the "Schofield Co." founded in 1903 in Baltimore, and "Sterling."

The pattern is "Lorraine" and has antecedents that predate the company itself.

The handle is a "Pointed Antique" with a slightly "Tipt" backside. The front is engraved in a "Mayflower" design that has its origins in Baltimore and which evolved into a full line of flatware produced by Kirk under this name...

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.

The serving end of th...

Relatively large for an ice cream place spoon, this piece measures 6 1/8" long and weighs a substantial near 1.4 T. oz.

Made by Gorham, the pattern is Cluny which bespeaks the French origins of its renowned designer, Antoine Heller.

The pattern features dense, high relief, floral elements with rosette and palmetto accents, and has proven to be enduringly appealing.

The handle backside of this is engraved in script, "A.P.W." over "Oct. 17, '91.," indicating the piece originated cl...

Measuring 6" by 3 3/4" and weighing a substantial 2.7 T. oz., this flat-bottomed dresser or pin tray is encircled by a 1" wide, 3/8" high, raised border with an applied rim.

The rim is acid etched in an elegant design of scrolling acanthus leaves with floral compliments.

One side has a shell-like reserve that is engraved with a line script "JNE" monogram.

Measured yet expressive in style and manner, this piece evidences the dignity and proportionality of traditional classic design.

D...

A matched pair, each of these master salts measures 2 1/4" in diameter and stands 1 3/8" high, while the pair weigh 3.2 T. oz. combined.

They are English in origin and fully hallmarked for London, 1897-98, sterling, and WG/JL for William Gibson and John Langman (also operating as the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.).

Traditional in design, they are round, with heavily repoussed bodies, applied hatched rims, and stand on three lion's paw and shell legs.

Each piece has a reserve area which ...

Bright cut engraved designs were popular among American silver manufacturers during the last quarter of the 19th century, with this generously-sized, 9 1/4" long, nearly 2.7 T. oz., pie server a quality example of the style.

Made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling" appear on the "Old English" tipt handle backside, the pattern is "Chrysanthemum," issued in 1885.

The imagery is finely rendered in bright cut work set against a satin ground.

The broad, 2 3/4" w...

A pattern for which John Polhamus and Henry Hebbard, who worked individually and in a short-lived partnership in New York City in the mid 19th century, held a joint patent, Oriental was a favored design for marketing by Tiffany in its early years.

The dies for the pattern were eventually acquired by George Shiebler, who extended production subsequent to all these antecedent firms.

These four, matching, 6" long, 3.2 T. oz. the group, teaspoons are older pieces, marked "H.H." for Henr...

An important name among late 18th/early 19th century New York City silversmiths in his own right, Thomas Richards also paired with other significant smiths of his period, beginning with his father-in-law Daniel VanVoorhis, with whom he apprenticed starting in 1790 and partnered with from 1798-1802.

He was also associated at various times with John Sayre, William Pelletreau, and William Morrell prior to his death in 1830.

This pair of 6 1/4" long, 1.45 T. oz., coin silver tongs are stamped ...

The larger of at least two sizes of model number 393 dishes made by Wallace, this piece measures 6 1/4" by 4 1/8" and stands 1 1/4" tall at the highest. Solid silver, it weighs a substantial 2.96 T. oz.

Shell form dishes were produced by many makers throughout the 20th century, and they were typically based on scallops . This one, however, is modeled after a large, hard shell clam, specifically known as a quahoag in New England, Rhode Island in particular.

The origins of medicine spoons trace to a device patented in England by Charles Gibson in 1827.

This expression of the form, made by Gorham in the early decades of the 20th century, evolved from the much earlier Gibson one, although it is different in construction, and in actuality as much a novelty or collector's item as it is a utilitarian piece.

Solid silver, it is comprised of two different sized bowls, one the size of a tablespoon, the other the size of a teaspoon, with each hinged to...

Syracuse, New York, was a major silver manufacturing center in the mid to late 19th century. Joseph Seymour, the maker of this 8 1/4" long, 1.9 T. oz., berry spoon, was one of the most prominent names among that city's firms, with a history that began in 1846, terminating in 1905.

An innovative producer, Dorthy Rainwater in her "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers" notes that he received a patent for making spoons in 1859, and further that, "the company was one of the first to mak...