Measuring 11" long and weighing 4.3 T. oz., this size coin silver ladle is often described as an oyster versus a soup, which is generally longer and can run to 14". It is stamped on the reverse with the three part mark of New York's Albert Coles and is an especially fine example of his work and mid 19th century American silver crafting in general. The shank is a solid square tube with faceted edges. The upper end of the handle is broad and flat with shaped margins and a "fan" top...

This 8 5/8" long, 2.7 T. oz., coin silver berry or serving spoon was produced by New York's Albert Coles, whose three part hallmark appears on the backside of the handle. Dating from c. 1860, it reflects the strong period interest in Classicism. The end of the handle portrays a highly articulated, multidimensional warrior bust set atop a pediment base. This has a flat backside, and although hollow, of substantial thickness. The central part of the shank is tubular and faceted...

An alternative to a spoon shaped bowl, this shovel form met with some popularity in mid 19th America. The flat surface and open end may have been purposeful, i.e. adapted for a specific function. This example is a lengthy 6 3/4", .8 T. oz., coin silver sugar stamped "J.C. Blackman & Co." and "Bridgeport" (Connecticut) flanked on either end by an American eagle. The item has a refined look...

Classified as a "Medallion" pattern, Albert Coles' "Kenilworth" drew its imagery from English literature rather than classicism. That said, the portraiture of the male figure is interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the numerous mythological characters produced by other makers of the same 1860's period. This example is a 7 5/8" long, weighty, nearly 1.4 T. oz., master butter knife. The handle and blade are set at right angles to each other...

Marked "Patent 1866" and with two lions flanking an "S," for Philadelphia's George Sharp, and Bailey, for the Philadelphia retailer, this pair of tongs measure 5 3/4" long and weigh 1.4+ T. oz. The pattern is referred to as "Ball End," for which Sharp is strongly identified. The form, however, is unusual in that the screw-in ball is attached to a three dimensional, 1" diameter by 1/4" thick, disk. This whole assembly comes apart...

An early Wood & Hughes piece, dating circa 1855, this coin silver master butter knife is substantially sized at 7 3/4" long and weighing 1.1 T. oz. It is a singular design, having a twisted stem and a notched, shield shaped handle. It is similar in overall form to Gorham's little known "Imperial" pattern of the same period, and of which Wood & Hughes had an almost identical match. The upper edge of the blade has two notches that repeat the design of the handle...

The leaf pattern on this 7" long, 1.2 T. oz., flat handled master butter knife is a "Leaf" design that is nearly identical to Gorham's "Josephine," and likewise akin to William Gale's "Leaf." The pattern has been attributed to Philadelphia's James Watts and likely dates from the same 1855 period. It is stamped "Brown & Co." for the retailer, and "Coin." The pattern is double die struck, meaning it appears on both sides of the handle...

Marked with both Philadelphia's George Sharp's "double lion and S" and "Patent" marks as well as "Tiffany & Co.," this salad serving fork and spoon have a double provenance that bespeaks the finest of mid 19th century silver manufacturing and retailing. Curiously, they are not stamped "Sterling," which standard Tiffany typically required in the 1860's from which they date, so they are possibly coin silver rather than sterling...

Dating from the 1860's, William Vanderslice's "Gargoyle" is one of the few patterns that is truly indigenous to San Francisco, contrary to much San Francisco silver that was retailed there but with origins outside the state. It is a dramatic design, having an overall Gothic Revival sensibility. The piece is dominated by an open mouthed (appropriate to its namesake), lion-like figure set at the end of the handle. This example is a large, 11 1/2" long, heavy, approximately 2.8 T. oz. fish slice...

This cream or sauce ladle is appealingly proportioned. It is 6" long overall, weighs .7 T. oz., and has an ovoid bowl that is 1 1/2" by 1 3/4" and weighs .7 T. oz. Its slender proportions present in an elegant manner. The tipt end is engraved "E.P. Ives." in a fancy, feathered script. The mark is "W.M. Root & Brother," which was a Pittsfield, Massachusetts partnership dating from the the 1850's, although the style would suggest an earlier date. There is an eagle pseudo hallmark which McGrew...

This 7 7/8" long, 2.0 T. oz., coin silver sugar sifter is marked "E. Benjamin" for the New Haven, Connecticut silversmith and jeweler, and with a bust/lion/C pseudo hallmark. In this instance, Benjamin was the retailer and the maker traces to New York's Gilbert-Cunningham/Cooper complex, according John McGrew's work on American silver manufacturers' marks. The pattern is "Prince Albert" and the date mid 19th century. It is a generously sized piece, with a 2 1/4" wide, 5/8" deep, shell shaped ...

"Pure Coin" as is stamped on this item is a term usually indicative of New England origin, the Boston area in particular. The style of this 6 5/8" long preserve or jelly spoon is consistent with that locale and a date c. 1860. It has a flat, squared shouldered handle with a notched top. The surface is artfully engraved and diamond bright cut in a period leaf and scroll design with partly stippled background. The bowl is a well-formed scallop shell design that is finished in a bright gold was...