Catalog

Marked with Watson's Mechanics division pennant emblem and the word "Sterling," this teaspoon measures 5 7/8" long and weighs a substantial 1.1 T. oz.

The pattern is a Daisy and appears to be a variant from Watson's Floral Series No. 2 issued in 1903.

As was characteristic of the company's products, the die work is intricately detailed, presented in high relief, and struck with precision.

The finish is a soft, satin gray.

The bowl of this is engraved in script with the ...

No. 1 in Watson's Fruit Series of patterns introduced in 1903, the orange (or grapefruit) portraiture on this is set in detailed, high, relief and reflects the Art Nouveau design sensibilities of the period.

Made in a variety of pieces, the citrus spoon was a popular item, offered in a number of close on sizes and with at least two different bowls, a plain one, and the one found on this lengthy, 6 1/4" long, and weighty at 1.1 T. oz., example.

It has a scalloped...

Watson Newell's "Orchid" is one of numerous floral designs the company produced in the early part of the 20th century that yet stand as exemplary expressions of Art Nouveau design.

This example is a 5" long, .9 T. oz., cream ladle.

The flower is fully three-dimensional, rising out of the end of handle and folding over on itself in a highly expressive manner, with trailing leaves tracing their way up the handle margins, front and back sides.

The scalloped edge bowl has a flange margin an...

Produced by the Chicago silver firm of Wendell Manufacturing Company, Ariel is a highly expressive pattern.

Sculptural in manner, the central design element is a cherubic figure set against a dense, decorative background.

It is strongly reminiscent of Dominick & Haff's Labors of Cupid, which it predates by five years, introduced in 1895 vs. 1900.

It is a multi-motif line, meaning the figural representation varies between different pieces.

This example is a 5 5/8...

Exceptionally large, this solid silver pie server measures 10 1/4" long, has a blade that is 5" by 2 7/8" at the widest, and weighs 2.9 T. oz.

Marked "Ball, Black," "925" for sterling, and "Patent," the pattern is Arabesque, made by John Wendt, New York City, and issued in 1871. Arabesque is often (mis)identified as Monroe.

A Moorish design, Philadelphia's George Sharp produced a similar unnamed line. Whiting's version of Arabesque was introduced later in the 18...

At 7 5/8" long and weighing 1.6 T. oz., this may be a preserve, jelly, or small berry serving spoon.

The pattern is John Wendt's "Florentine," which is a Renaissance Revival with Moorish influences design introduced in 1870.

There is a shield reserve on the front, which in this instance has never been monogrammed.

This has an elongated, 3" by 2", oval bowl with scalloped edges and fluted sides.

It is in very fine estate condition, free of polishing wear and with a bright finish. The ...

Dating from 1870, John Wendt's Florentine is an intricately detailed and finely rendered, Renaissance Revival, design with Moorish undertones.

This 7" long, relatively weighty 1.32 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon is a particularly fine example in pristine condition.

It has a generously proportioned, 2 1/2" long, 1 5/8" at the widest, 1/2" deep, shell form bowl with scalloped edges and a ribbed interior, all finished in a pale, satin matte, gold wash front and back sides.

The sh...

A 7" long, 1.1 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon, this piece has a generously sized, 2 1/2" by 1 5/8", shell shaped bowl with a scalloped edge and slightly pointed tip.

Made by John Wendt in his Medallion pattern, it is stamped with his characteristic "Patent" and "925," along with the name of the retailer, Boston's "Bigelow Bros. & Kennard."

One of the most impressive of the myriad Medallion figures offered by American manufacturers in the 1860s, the line featured a variety of...

One of Wendt's less commonly found patterns, Osiris was issued in 1870, and, as the name implies, is derivative of the Egyptian Revival mode popular in the period.

It features a lined handle with a fan, i.e. palmette, end. This in turn is framed by two acanthus leaves at the point where the handle turns tubular.

This example is 5 7/8" long, relatively substantial weight 1.0 T. oz., teaspoon that was retailed by carriage trade New York City jeweler "Howard & Co.," as st...

This lengthy at 7 5/8" and robust at approximately 1.5 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife was made by New York's John Wendt, whose characteristic "Patent 925" (for sterling) and "Bailey & Co.," for the Philadelphia retailer appear on the blade.

The pattern is "Union," and is quite similar to "Gibney," designed by F.H. Gibney, later Whiting, with both it and "Union" issued in 1862.

The handle has a central leaf rosette and leaf tipped, oval end, all elements that are very much of its ...

References assign an 1880 introduction date for Whiting's "Antique Tip" aka "Antique Tipt" pattern made in sterling, but this fork is an example of an earlier, 1860s, version made to a coin standard.

Measuring 7 1/8" long and weighing approximately 1.2 T. oz., this is a lunch, or simply a regular or place, piece.

It is characterized by a narrow shank that broadens widely, comes to a point at an unturned end which has a raised scroll and diamond drop that looks something like a fleur-de-lis...

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...

Rooted in Moorish design, Whiting's Arabesque features a standing griffin with widespread wings set against a vine, leaf, and rosette background that are the defining elements of arabesque design.

This example is an 8 7/8" long, 2.4 T. oz., all silver, pie server that was retailed by "Ettenheimer [& Co.]," Rochester, New York, as stamped on the handle backside. Other marks include Whiting's "standing lion with a W" emblem, "Sterling," "Pat. 1875," and the number "6."

The handle fron...

Rooted in Moorish design and dating from the encompassing 1870s Renaissance Revival period, Whiting's Arabesque features a standing griffin with widespread wings set against a vine, leaf, and rosette background, all of which are quintessential elements of this design motif.

This ensemble is an ice cream set comprised of a server along with eleven (alas one of the no doubt once twelve has been lost to the group) individual spoons.

These are all part of a rarely found original set, no...

Measuring 7 1/2" long and weighing approximately 1.3 T. oz., this item is a preserve or jelly spoon.

The pattern is Whiting's Arabesque, which is rooted in Moorish design and was produced during the Renaissance Revival period of the 1870s. The primary feature is a standing griffin with widespread wings surrounded by traditional arabesque detailing.

There is a disk-shaped reserve area on the handle front, which in this instance has never been monogrammed.

The bowl is plum shaped, ...

A Renaissance Revival pattern, Whiting's Arabesque takes its name from the generic scroll and rosette design on the handle, with in this instance the addition of a large, standing griffin below the open reserve area.

This example is an 8 1/8" long, approximately 1.7 T. oz., table or serving spoon retailed by "Sunderlin & McAllaster," Rochester, New York, as stamped on the backside. Other marks are Whiting's "lion and W" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1875."

The handle front is engrav...

This spoon is a commemorative of one of the climactic events of the 19th century, namely the Chicago World's Fair, formally the World's Columbian Exposition.

Made by Whiting, whose "standing lion with W" and "Sterling," are stamped on the backside, this measures 5 7/8" long and weighs just under 1.0 T. oz.

The front of the handle incorporates the name of the event, along with "1893," as well as "Chicago" arrayed over a "star" and a staunch looking "phoenix head" (so identifie...

This 5 1/2" long, .8 T. oz., sardine fork is stamped with the Whiting Manufacturing Company "lion and W" emblem, "Sterling," an Old English "O," and "Pat. 1896."

The pattern is Dresden, which is a charming and intricate, late 19th century, floral design that features what appear to be forget-me-not blossoms and leaves trailing up the handle. A shell surmounts the handle tip and there is acanthus leaf detailing in other areas.

The pattern repeats with slight variation on both sides o...