Catalog

An expressive pattern from renowned Gorham designer Antoine Heller, Old Medici features a variety of figures and imagery drawn from the Italian Renaissance period.

This example, a 7 1/4" long, 1.54 T. oz. preserve or jelly spoon portrays a matronly looking woman in festooned garb. She is carrying a tray laden with fruit with a basket or other container hanging below this.

Additional details include a gargoyle, a pair of doves with raised wings, and leafy tracery.

Most references...

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.

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.

It is stamped on the backside "Los Ballesteros" along with the company emblem surrounded ...

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...

Lengthy at 9 5/8" and weighty at 2.9 T. oz., this serving spoon has a large, 4" long by 2 1/2" at the widest by 5/8" deep, bowl with flanged shoulders, a central rib in the base, and a gold washed surface that is bright cut and wriggle work engraved in a blackberry and leaves design.

Dating circa 1880, it is stamped "J.S. MacDonald" for the late 19th century Baltimore firm, and with the word "Sterling."

The "Old English Reverse Tipt" handle features an engraved "Lily" pattern that shows th...

This George III fork is fully hallmarked for Dublin, Ireland, 1812, and sterling silver. The maker's letters are "TT," which is likely Thomas Townsend or possibly Thomas Tudor, and "Law" for retailer William Law.

A dinner fork, it is a lengthy 8" and is exceptionally heavy at 2.4 T. oz.

Very finely crafted, it is a "Tipt" aka "Fiddle Tipt" pattern, with high, angular shoulders off the gracefully curved heel of the bowl. The four elongated tines are slender and pointed.

The handle backsi...

A well-regard name among mid 19th century Philadelphia silver manufacturers, James Watts produced this lengthy, 8 7/8", nearly 1.5 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon.

His readily recognizable "horse head over chevron," emblem appears on the handle backside, along with the word "Coin" and the name of the retailer, "George H. Bechtel," also Philadelphia.

The flat, shaped, handle has an upturned end and is bright cut and wriggle work engraved, all of which bespeaks the piece's Philadelphia...

In his comprehensive work Tiffany Silver Flatware, author William Hood discusses a number of "not-full-line patterns without a known name or description."

This 6" long, weighty at 1.2 T. oz., specialty teaspoon falls into this category.

As with several of the pieces Hood illustrates, this is based on "a form related to conventional Antique" with "a chamfered edge around the front of the handle."

Apart from the exceptionally fine overall quality, the distinguishing feature ...

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...