Catalog

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

An example of Shiebler's Month series of flatware introduced in 1902, this four tine, likely youth, fork measures 6 1/4" long and weighs a substantial 1.2 T. oz.

The month is March with the corresponding flower being Violet.

Decidedly Art Nouveau in manner, the portraiture is expressively sinuous and fluid as is characteristic of the mode.

There is a flowing script "WKH" monogram engraved on the handle front.

In very good condition, this shows little evidence of ...

Solid silver, this piece measures 7 3/4" long and weighs a substantial 1.83 T. oz.

A master butter knife, the handle and broad blade with a scalloped upper edge are joined at a right angle.

The pattern is Luxembourg made by George Shiebler, whose "winged S" emblem and the word "Sterling" are imprinted on the blade, along with "1885" and "Patented" on the handle.

The handle is splayed and incorporates three raised channels with rounded ends. These are decorated with a varied of ra...

Gipsy was one of George Shiebler's first, original, full line patterns (vs. many of his other of early patterns which he brought over from other sources).

It is a Moorish design consistent with many other patterns of the period, Tiffany and Whiting's Persian, Gorham's Raphael and Hindostanee and Wendt's Moresque being instances of the more prominent corresponding designs.

Gipsy incorporates a leafy, repetitive, motif on the front of a rounded end h...

Shiebler's late 19th century Flora series was largely offered in teaspoons, but also less commonly issued in other forms, such as this pair of 4 5/8" long, .9 T. oz., sugar tongs.

The pattern is Forget-Me-Not, which is set in high relief and clear detail on each arm.

The arch is crimped for strength, while the grips are highly articulated, hairy talon style.

In superb condition and never monogrammed, these are without wear or damage and show a bright, even, finish.

Mark...

A multi-motif line, George Shiebler's 1902 Fiorito portrays a variety of flowers interpreted in an Art Nouveau manner.

This example is a 5 3/4" long, .5 T. oz., bon bon representing a clematis.

A fully open blossom appears on the handle end, while the portraiture is repeated in the entirety of the 2" by 1 3/4", nearly round, reticulated and undulating, bowl that has a pale gold wash finish front and back sides.

Never monogrammed or inscribed, this is in flawless condition,...

A commemorative of the Shriner's 1903 convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this 5 3/4" long, .7 T. oz., spoon was made by the Shepard Manufacturing Company, whose "S in a circle" emblem and the word "Sterling" appear on the backside. The word "Saratoga" and date "1903" appear in the bowl.

The handle front features a full figure American Indian wearing a headdress with a quiver of arrows on his back and a bow and two arrows in his hand. He is positioned above two ears of corn.

How this i...

A prominent Syracuse, New York silver manufacturer with a history that spanned the second half of the 19th century and lasted until early into the 20th century, Joseph Seymour produced a number of flatware patterns in coin and sterling silver.

The Square Handled Engraved pattern on this 7 5/8" long, 1.2 T. oz., jelly knife in sterling is one that does not have a lot of design parallels, either with Seymour or other producers.

The handle is flat, and as the name implies, has straight...

A prominent Syracuse, New York silver manufacturer with a history that spanned the second half of the 19th century and lasted until early into the 20th century, Joseph Seymour produced a number of flatware patterns in coin and sterling silver.

The Square Handled Engraved pattern on these two matching 5 5/8" long, 1.13 T. oz. combined, forks is one that does not have clear design parallels, either with Seymour or other firms.

The handle is flat, and as the name implies, has straight ...

This set of six, 6" long, 3.0 T. oz. the group, coin silver spoons are all marked "Root & Chaffee" along with a right facing "eagle" emblem.

William Root and Frederick Chaffee were located in Pittsfield, in the Berkshires region of Western Massachusetts, and were in partnership 1830-1849.

These have Fiddle handles with Tipt backs and are all engraved in fancy, feathered script, lettering, "E T Boyd" on the fronts.

In very good condition, they are free of wear or damage suc...

Henry Hebbard was a New York City silversmith who generated a number of well-known silver patterns that were subsequently continued in production by George Shiebler and Whiting.

He was in a short-lived partnership with George E. Moore in the mid 1860s, and that is the source of these six, matching, 6" long each, 3.34 T. oz. the group, teaspoons marked "H & M," as well as "Culbert & Bros" for the New York City jeweler.

Curiously, given the Fiddle Tipt pattern and overall design of th...

Each of these six matching 5 5/8" long, 4.0 T. oz. the group, teaspoons is marked with a first standard Minerva head for 950 silver (vs. sterling at 925) with a requisite bigorne counterstamp on the corresponding opposite side of the handle, along with a maker's "LL with a cross between the letters and stars above and below" emblem.

Finely made, showing a level of elegance and refinement that are peculiarly French, the pattern is a "Thread" aka "French Thread" aka "Fiddle Thread."

The hand...

Relatively lengthy at 6", with slender, Fiddle Tipt handles in a style that is particular to Baltimore where they were made, this group of four, matching, teaspoons weigh 2.3 T. oz.

Each one is stamped "S. Kirk & Son" along with the standard mark "10.15," which is roughly equivalent to coin silver. This specific combination of marks was used 1846-61.

Each piece has a feathered script "EVE" monogram engraved on the front and an exposed thumb drop on the bowl reverse.

In very fine ...