Catalog

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. The interior is engraved in an Aesthetic mode design that is reflective of its later, post Polhamu...

Flat handled, this master butter, or possibly individual fish, knife measures 7 5/8" long and weights a substantial 1.5 T. oz. It has a broad blade with a scalloped upper edge, a partially scalloped lower edge, and an upswept, pointed tip.

The pattern is Princess originated by John Polhamus and continued in production by George Shiebler, both New York City. Shiebler's "winged S" emblem, the word "Sterling," and the name of the retailer, "R. Smith," Newark, New Jersey appear on the blad...

Measuring a lengthy 5 7/8" and weighing a hefty near 1.7 T. oz., this pair of tongs originated in Boston and date circa 1860. Probably intended for sugar, they are large enough to be used for ice.

They are stamped "Shreve, Brown & Co.," the 1857-60 predecessor of Boston's premier "Shreve, Crump & Low," on the inside of one arm, and "925 in an oval" on the inside of the other.

The pattern is an Oval Thread with cast, sturdy and highly articulated, grips.

Never monogrammed on eithe...

A substantially sized item that measures 7 1/2" long and weighs just under 1.4 T. oz., this master butter knife traces to mid 19th century Boston.

It is stamped "Shreve, Brown & Co.," which was an 1857-60 partnership in the chain of evolution for the firm that eventually became Boston's carriage trade "Shreve, Crump & Low."

It is also marked "Sterling," which is early for this period when coin silver was the prevailing silver standard.

The handle is an upturned "Oval Thread," plain on t...

Very early examples of San Francisco marked flatware, this set of six, matched, 8 3/8" long, 10.9 T. oz. the lot, coin silver spoons date circa 1860.

They are stamped on backsides "G.C. Shreve & Co., which firm according to an entry in Dorothy Rainwater's Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, was established in 1852.

It eventually became the West Coast's premier jeweler and silver manufacturer.

In its early years, however, as noted by Rainwater, flatware was sourced from...

Issued in 1909, Norman Hammered by San Franciso's renowned Shreve & Company follows in that firm's Arts & Crafts tradition of silversmithing.

It much resembles the company's flagship line, Fourteenth Century, having a hammered surface set on robust, i.e. thick and blocky, stock, that bespeaks a medieval origin.

This example is a 4 3/4" long, just over 1.0 T. oz., pair of sugar, olive, or even bonbon tongs.

They show angular, squared off, arms with heavy hammering on all si...

A novel item laden with sentiment, this large, handled (tea)cup has a body with a top diameter of 3 1/2" and a maximum span of 4 5/8" to the end of the handle. It stands 2" high to the rim, has a base that is 1 7/8" wide, and weighs 2.96 T. oz.

It is stamped on the underside "Shreve & Co.," "San Francisco," "Makers," "925-1000," and "Sterling."

It has a double Greek Key motif, expressed first and dramatically in the flat band handle and secondly in the applied rim with pale blue enam...

Marked with the "plumed helmet over S in a shield" emblem introduced by Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. in 1895 and continued by International after SHM merged into that amalgamation in 1898, this piece dates from the 1895-98 period or shortly thereafter.

It is also marked "Sterling" and model number "C1342."

A medium-to-large sized gravy or sauce boat, it measures 6 1/2" from handle end to tip of spout, is 3 7/8" wide, and stands 4" tall at the highest.

All silver, it weighs a substantial ...

Introduced in 1906, Pointed End was one of renowned Arts & Crafts silversmith Arthur Stone's earliest line patterns. It has a "Tipt" backside and slender, arched and tapered handle.

These six, matching, 8" long, 5.7 T. oz. the group, individual iced tea or lemonade stirring spoons are stamped with the "hammer over Stone" emblem, "Sterling," and an "E," for benchman George Erickson who established his own well-regarded silver shop subsequent to his work with Stone.

These show the qua...

Although primarily a New York City Silversmith, Louise Belden in Marks of American Silversmiths and other sources note that William Grigg spent some years in other locations, namely Albany 1770-78, and Halifax, Canada, 1782-89.

He was a freeman worker in 1765, dating this group of six, matched, 5 1/2" long, just over 3.0 T. oz. (95 grams) the lot, to the decades between then and Grigg's death in 1797.

They are all stamped "W.Grigg" in a serrated cartouche, which is one of four marks...

Bearing two telling marks, "S. Kirk & Son" used by the renowned Baltimore firm 1846-51, and "10.15" for the distinctive regional silver standard designation which is slightly less than coin, this place spoon measures 7" long and weighs 1.06 T. oz. (33 grams).

A handsome and well crafted piece, it has a Fiddle shaped handle with a subtle Tipt backside. The bowl has an exposed drop, and high, pointed and beveled, fins at the join with the handle.

The handle front is engraved wi...

Combining characteristics of a spoon, with the handle set nearly horizontal to the circular, 2" wide by 1/2" deep, bowl, and a ladle, this 7 1/2" long and weighty at 2.3 T. oz. piece is well-suited for dipping.

It is an older, i.e. mid 19th century, example of Baltimore silver marked "S. Kirk & Son," used 1846-61, and "10.15" which was a mid 19th century Baltimore silver standard designation (roughly equivalent to coin).

The handle is a rounded end Antique shape, which is plain on t...

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...

Dating from the middle third of the 20th century as indicated by the particular "S. Kirk & Son Sterling" mark that appears on the handle backside, this 5 3/8" long, approximately 1.0 T. oz., round bowl piece is variously identified as a cream or mayonnaise ladle.

The pattern is the company's signature "Repousse," featuring an array of high relief, satin finish, flowers and leaves.

The backside is plain and never monogrammed.

In flawless estate condition, this is free of any evident wear...

The longest master salt spoon that Kirk made in its flagship Repousse pattern, each of these two, matched, examples measures 3 3/4". They weigh a relatively heavy .96 T. oz. the pair.

Never monogrammed, they have plain backs save for the marks, which are "S. Kirk & Son," which Rainwater dates 1932-61, along with "Sterling."

In spite of their considerable age, they are in exceptionally fine condition, showing no evidence they were ever used. The pattern is sharply defined, the bowls a...

This 6" long, coin silver, teaspoon is one of five matched pieces that weigh .55 T. oz. (17 grams) each.

It has a Tipt end handle with something of a Fiddle shaped shank with tall, narrow and beveled, fins off the bowl, and a pointed end bowl. The backside heel has a plain drop.

This one, along with the other four, has a fancy, feathered script, "SEA" monogram set sideways on the handle front.

Marked "Coin" on the reverse, it is also stamped "S.P. Bell," who was likely the ...

A piece attached to the early history of Chicago, this coin silver sauce or small gravy ladle is marked "Speer & Cosper" "Chicago," for a partnership of only two years duration, 1852-53, although Isaac Speer had been in business as a jeweler and watchmaker since 1840, and continued on after the pairing dissolved.

This is an unusually proportioned piece. It measures 7" long, with a handle that is lengthy in comparison to the 2" by 1 1/2" by 1/2" deep oval bowl. It weighs 1.1 T. oz.

The patt...

A matched set, this c. 1835, coin silver, 6 5/8" long, likely pickle, fork and 7 1/2" knife, 2.8 T. oz. combined weight, are marked "S. Richard" for the New York City silversmith Stephen Richard.

The handles are filled (which is included in the total weight above), and feature a complex, double-sided, pattern that incorporates leaves, scrolls, flowerets, and two kinds of shells, one that is spiraled and one that appears to be a nautilus.

The pattern may be attributable to Richard's contemp...