Whiting's "Imperial Queen" is a late 19th century design based on English antecedents. These two examples, a 5 1/2" long, .9 T. oz. sauce or cream ladle, and a 4 1/2" long, just over .4 T. oz., bon bon or nut spoon, are flawless, absolutely mint, examples without monograms or removals. They both have matte finish, gold washed serving ends. Marks on the reverses are Whiting's lion emblem, "Sterling," "Pat. 1893," and an Old English "O."

Measuring 5 1/2" long and weighing 1.2 T. oz., this sterling silver cream ladle is an old example of Gorham's "Chantilly." It is is flawless condition and without a monogram or removal. There is no polishing wear and the finish is lustrous. The lobed bowl has flanged shoulders and has a bright gold wash finish on the interior. Marks are the Gorham lion, anchor, G, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1895."

Reference material on "G. Weckman," the name stamped on this pair of 8" long, 3.0 T. oz. combined weight, tablespoons is not readily accessible. Presumably the mark is for Gustaf Adolf Weckman, born in Hameenlinna, Finland, with dates 1823-1901...

While unnamed, this c. 1870 design by George Sharp is quite similar to Gorham's "Louis XIV" and Knowles' "Emperor," both of the same period. It is double die struck, meaning the pattern appears on both sides of the piece. This example is a 6 1/2" long, 1.2 T. oz. sauce ladle. The handle is slender and elongated looking, and is joined to a 2" diameter, round shell bowl with a scalloped rim and a flat bottom...

Dating from 1875, Wood & Hughes' "Cellini" falls into the Renaissance Revival style that was popular in the period. This set of matching ice cream spoons measure 5 9/16" long each and weigh 4.7 T. oz. the set. They have ovoid bowls with flanged rims and matte finish interiors. Both sides of the bowls had gold washes, with the backsides retaining more of this detail than the fronts. There are no monograms or removals and the condition of all eight pieces is flawless...

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...

Gorham's "Imperial" is a mid 19th century, twisted handle design that incorporates a notched end handle with leafy elements that are reminiscent of "Olive." Wood & Hughes had a counterpart pattern. The patterns so closely parallel each other that they are nearly indistinguishable unless set alongside one another. Gorham's examples are rarely marked, while Wood & Hughes' almost always are, and this can be another way of distinguishing them...

Originally made in twelve different images as a part of a set, Gorham's number 18 coffee spoons appear in that company's 1892 catalog (see image 3). This group encompasses eight of those original designs. All of them are marked lion, anchor, G, "18," and "Sterling." Each spoon measures 4 1/4" long, while the eight together weigh 2.6 T. oz. The bowls all have matching shell and scroll interior surfaces. The imagery on the cast (rather than die struck) handles varies...

Fully marked for maker Stephen Adams I of London, with an 1819 date letter, and a lion for sterling silver, these two matched master salt spoons form a handsome pair. Each one measures 4 1/8" long while the two together weigh just over .7 T. oz., which feels weighty. They have reverse tipt ends, exposed drops, and feathered script "TSK" monograms. They are in mint estate condition, showing no signs of wear and having fine finishes.

Well-known and enduring names among 19th century Philadelphia silversmiths, Robert and William Wilson were in a partnership dating c. 1825-50. This goblet stamped "R&W.W." is of a scale and design that it could serve as a chalice. It stands 5" high, has a top diameter of 3 1/4", and sits on a footed base that is 2 3/4" across. It weighs a substantial 7.9 T. oz...

Gorham's "Medallion" was the pattern of choice offered by mid 1860's Tiffany & Co. when it was only a retailer and not a manufacturer...

Measuring 6" long and weighing just under 1.0 T. oz., this individual butter spreader is an early example of Gorham's "Strasbourg." It is flat handled, solid sterling silver, and without a monogram or removal. The blade is blunt end and has decorated shoulders where it joins the handle. The condition is mint estate. Apart from light surface scratches consistent with use, there is no wear. Pattern detail remains sharp and the finish is lustrous. Marks are lion, anchor, G, "Sterling," and "P...