John Wendt was a prominent mid 19th century silversmith. His name evokes a host of associations in the burgeoning world of commerce and the carriage trade as it existed in New York City at the time. Thus so strongly identified with this one locale, Wendt actually first established himself in Boston, and that period of his working years often goes overlooked...

Of exceptionally large scale, this 11 1/2" diameter, heavy, 20.9 T. oz., charger or service plate was made by Reed & Barton. It is item number "90" as indicated on the brushed finish underside, which appears alongside the R&B emblem and the word "Sterling." The bottom is also inscribed in script, "Anne and Sam, from, Auntie Mamie, October 7, 1916," giving it a precise date. It has a plain, flat, mirror finish center and 2 1/4" wide encircling rim...

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...

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...

Marked only "Sterling," this c. 1860's pattern is a Whiting design commonly identified as "Calla Lily," taken from the three dimensional flower that adorns the end of the handle. This example is a large, 10 1/2" long, just under 2.6 T. oz., serving spoon. Described by one source as "jewelry-esque," this is assembled from a variety of parts, rather than being die struck as a unit, or a single casting...

Whiting produced a series of floral serving pieces in the late 19th that are little documented, but likely intended to compete with Gorham's impressive "H" series of similar designs and large scale. The portraiture on this is a "Rose" or specifically a "Cabbage Rose." Whiting's items have cast handles and applied serving ends, and that is the case with this 8 3/4" long, massive weight, nearly 5.4 T. oz., spoon...

Made by John Wendt, this 9 1/4" long, approximately 2.2 T. oz., berry spoon is marked "Shreve, Stanwood & Co." for the c. 18060-69 Boston retailer which was a predecessor to today's Shreve, Crump & Low. It is also marked "Sterling." It has a tubular shank consistent with a form employed by Wendt on other patterns. The handle end is a shaped disk with finely engraved margins. The defining element of the piece is the cast and applied cluster of strawberries with an entwining ribbon...

Sometimes referenced as fried chicken tongs, but suitable for a variety of purposes where scale is called for, this serving piece is as large as such items get. It is 10 1/2" long and weighs a hefty 7.0 T. oz. Each arm is an engraved Old English Tipt style. The engraving carries over the arch and has something of a Gothic manner to it. That would be appropriate to the c. 1865 date of the piece. The top of the arch is monogrammed "J.C.P." in O.E. lettering...

Stylistically this punch ladle suggests a dating from the mid 1860's. It follows after a style most associated with Philadelphia's George Sharp, having a five sided solid wire stem surmounted by a "domed" top...

Dating from 1866 according to the inscription on the sidewall, which is inscribed below the name "C.E. Mathews.", this coin silver mustard pot was made by Gorham. That company's standing lion, anchor, G mark appears on the underside of the base, along with the model number "510." It is a large, well-proportioned, and handsome item. Standing 4 1/4" high, it rests on a pedestal base that is 2" in diameter. The maximum span to the end of the handle is approximately 3 1/4" and the weight is 4.5+...

This pair of English, sterling silver asparagus tongs are fully marked for London, 1800. The maker's punch is "IB" for which there are several possibilities, the likeliest being John Blake. English asparagus tongs are of a type, and this pair follow along after the form. They measure 9 1/2" long and weigh a substantial 6.5 T. oz. There is a single crossbar that is secured into place with two silver screws. The grips are narrow and grooved so to hold the asparagus spears. One of the grips h...

Each of these salad or pastry forks measures 5 5/8" long and has the same script "JL" monogram. The group weighs 9.8 T. oz. The pattern is "Imperial Chrysanthemum" by Gorham. This is an opulent floral design dating from 1894 and tending toward the Art Nouveau style. These are in immaculate estate condition. Pattern detail remains clear and crisp, with no apparent polishing wear. The tines are even and pointed and retain almost all of their original gold finish. Marks are lion, anchor, G, ...