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...

This 7" long, .9 T. oz., silver butter knife is stamped "A. Stowell" for the Boston retailer, and with the word "Coin." It is a simple piece, with an upturned Antique handle, and a blade with a scalloped upper edge. The backside has a large Old English "F" monogram. The interesting aspect of this is the singular style, delicate engraving on the front. It is very fine, utilizing a lot of dots. The handle portraiture is leaf and floral, while the blade is grape leaves and fruit...

Measuring 4" long and weighing just over .3 T. oz., this master salt spoon was made by Lunt. The pattern is "Mount Vernon," which is an early 20th century design featuring a central shield surrounded by a pair of cornucopias. The interior of the bowl has a matte finish. The piece is in flawless condition and is without a monogram or removal. It is marked with the Lunt emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat'd 11-29-05."

This sugar caster or muffineer stands 6 7/8" high, has a base diameter of 2 3/8", and weighs a generous 5.1 T. oz. It was made by Watson and is stamped with that company's crown, w, lion hallmark on the underside, along with the words "Sterling Silver," the model number "M20," and the single number "8." The lid is marked "Sterling" and with the same number "8." It likely dates early 20th century...

This pair of tongs measure 3 3/4" long and weigh just over .5 T. oz. which is heavy relative to their size. They are a numbered item, specifically "41," rather than a line design, and appear in Gorham's 1892 catalog (see illustration 2). The design is a dense scroll and floral having a rococo quality. The main elements of the arms are cast, while the bands and grips are struck...

This sterling silver coffee spoon was made by Gorham c. 1890. It measures 4 3/4" long and weighs nearly .5 T. oz. which is quite heavy for a piece this size. It has a cast handle that portrays perhaps daisies or asters with leaves and stems. The die struck bowl also has a floral and leaf theme, but also incorporates a free-form scroll and swirl element as well. This is suggestive of an aesthetic influence at work in the overall design...

This master butter knife measures 7 1/8" long and weighs not quite .8 T. oz. It is stamped "Coin" and "S. & J. Myers," who was likely the retailer with location possibly Syracuse or Boston. It is mid 19th century in style, with flat surfaces, sculpted edges and period engraving and wriggle work. This is especially appealing and features a series of unique anchoring dots that seem to form a grid for the engraving...

A French-inspired design dating from 1897, Durgin's Madame Royale features a leaf and berry motif set against a lined border. This example is a 6 7/8" long, 1.1 T. oz., sardine fork, retailed by Philadelphia's Bailey, Banks, & Biddle, as stamped on the reverse. Other marks are the Durgin "D" and the word Sterling...

What design elements prompted Gorham to adopt the name "Colonial" for this 1885 design is something of a mystery because it does not follow after any conventional colonial motif. The main feature of the pattern is striping that runs up about two-thirds of the handle. This is more subtle than appears, as the surface alternates between convex and concave and suggests banding, perhaps of a naturalistic material such as bamboo. This in turn implies an Aesthetic influence, which would be consisten...

This pair of master salts with matching "MEK" monograms are both model number A2640 and appear in the Gorham catalog of 1900 (see image 2). Marks are lion, anchor, G, and "Sterling," along with the model number. One of the two has a date symbol for 1898 and one a date symbol for 1900. This may explain the slight variation in size between them. The earlier one is 2 1/2" in diameter, 1 1/4" high, and weighs not quite 1.2 T. oz. The latter one is 2 3/8" in diameter, 1 1/4" high, and is just to...

Measuring 7 7/8" long and weighing 2.2 T. oz. this is a small berry spoon. The pattern is Reed & Barton's enduring Art Nouveau "Les Six Fleurs." It is an original piece, to be distinguished from contemporary reissues and re-strikes. There is a flowing script "FCH" on the reverse. The condition is outstanding. There is no wear on the high relief and precisely detailed floral portraiture which is a hallmark of this pattern. Marks are the Reed & Barton emblem, Sterling, and the words "Pat. Appl...

Gorham's Japanese is a multi-motif pattern featuring various figural themes set against a stylized (and somewhat pseudo) ground of Far Eastern-looking elements. It definitely falls within the category of the Aesthetic taste and has always had strong decorative appeal. This example is an 8 9/16" long, a bit light feeling at 2.0 T. oz., pie or pastry server. The image on this form is a peacock perched atop the handle, with a long, trailing tail. The 4 1/2" by 2 1/2" at the widest blade has the...