Illustrated in the 1894 Gorham catalog (see image 2), this is one of at least two specialized butter picks that company offered at the time. It has a singular style that broadly falls into the Aesthetic mode. The end is formed from four graduated balls that sit atop each other. This unit is supported by a sawtooth edge collar that forms the cap of a twisted central shank. One more ball is placed between the shank and the actual pointed pick end. It measures 7" long and weighs .7 T. oz...

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 1/8" long, heavy, approximately 1.8 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon is fully marked for 1761, sterling, and London. The maker's stamp is a script "HN" which the standard reference work by Grimwade, third edition addenda, identifies as belonging to Nicholas Hearnden "rather than Nathaniel Horwood as previously suggested." (p. 752) This is heavily chased, no doubt added in the Victorian era. This work is to quite a high standard...

Stamped with the entwined "CR" for the New York manufacturer Currier & Roby, this early 20th century footed tray or salver is also marked "Hodgson & Kennard" for the Boston retailer (apparently also located in Magnolia on Boston's North Shore). The piece is 6 1/8" square and has substantial weight at 6.7 T. oz. It has a raised and rimmed border done in a Chippendale style, and sits on four stylized hoof feet. There is a script "AT" monogram on the center surface...

Dating c. 1900, Gorham's "H" series items designate a premier line of largely serving pieces. This example is item "H47." It is a 5 1/8" long, heavy, over 1.5 T. oz., bon bon or nut scoop. It is cast rather than die struck and exhibits the intricacy of detail that technique enables. This includes a muted, slightly gray-hued finish, and a finely stippled background...

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...

A specialized piece dating c. 1900, this 5 3/8" long, just over .6 T. oz., item portrays its purpose in its imagery. It is an orange spoon made by Reed & Barton, whose hallmark and the word "Sterling" appear on the backside of the handle. Not a line pattern, this exhibits exceptional crafting in its high relief, highly detailed, and extra finely finished portraiture...

Marked with the Frank Smith emblem, "Sterling," and with the model number "42," this small, flat-handled knife measures 6 1/8" long and weighs not quite .5 T. oz...

Dating from the 1880's, this youth knife was made by Gorham, whose lion, anchor, G mark and the word "Sterling" appears on the backside of the blade. It measures 6 13/16" long and weighs just under 1.0 T. oz. It is solid silver, with a flat handle that is engraved in a period bright cut floral design and the word "Henry" in script. The blade is blunt-end. The backside of the piece is plain. It is in very good condition. The bright pattern remains well-defined, showing minimal polishing wea...

Bright cut patterns were highly popular in American silver of the late 19th century, and no firm was more successful with this style than Towle. The quality of that company's work is fully evident in this 7 1/8" long, substantial weight, 1.5 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon in the "Gladys" design. The stylized engraving on the handle is set against a matte finish ground and companioned with a delicately elegant "AR" monogram. The essentially round, and deep, bowl has scalloped shoulders, a for...

This bell, made by Dominick & Haff, whose emblem, along with the word "Sterling" and the model number "42," measures 4" high and has a bottom diameter of 2". It is very heavy, weighing 2.7 T. oz. The surface is hammered, which could suggest an Arts & Crafts influence, but is more likely an expression of the Aesthetic Movement, c. 1880. Dominick & Haff produced flat and holloware with this look during that period. The handle is a simple twist, a form also popular in the late 19th century. Th...

Adapted from a 5 5/8" long, .7 T. oz. Durgin "Fairfax" teaspoon, this piece is a commemorative item for one of the United States' highest profile, independent boarding schools, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. It has an applied silver and enamel facsimile of the school seal on the end of the handle. Given that the spoon is stamped with the Durgin mark and not the name Gorham which took over Durgin in the early 1920's, and that the pattern originated in 1910, the date range for this ...