Measuring 5 5/8" long and weighing just over .5 T. oz., this silver olive spoon was made by Gorham, whose lion, anchor, G mark appears on the backside, along with the words "Sterling" and "Pat. 1903." The pattern is "Norfolk," aka "Villa Norfolk." The retailer's stamp is "Lux, Bond & Lux" for the West Hartford, Connecticut firm which is now "Lux, Bond & Green." In immaculate condition, and without a monogram or removal, the reticulated bowl has a bright gold wash on both front and back sides.

Stamped "Sterling" and "Mermod & Jaccard." for the premier St. Louis jewelry and silver firm, this 5 3/8" long, .7 T. oz., souvenir spoon has two identifiers. One is the obvious "1838" imprinted in the gold washed bowl. The second is disguised in the reticulated design of the handle. On the surface lattice-like, the pattern actually portrays letters spelling out "Monticello." Presumably this is a reference to a small city in Illinois east of St. Louis...

At 6 1/4" long, this piece is the next size up from a sugar spoon, with an large, 2 1/2" by 1 3/4" bowl, that suggests it is for jelly or preserves. It is moderately heavy at 1.2 T. oz. The pattern is "Diana" by International, which is a turn of the 20th century design. The scroll motif is late Victorian in style, with a suggestion of Art Nouveau, both of which fit its date. The bowl is especially appealing with its scalloped and patterned edge that repeats the design of the handle...

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...

Evoking an early American style in both design and name, "Moulton," which is associated with a renowned family of Massachusetts silversmiths, this sterling silver gravy ladle was made by Old Newbury Crafters. It is stamped "Handwrought," "ONC sterling," and with the personal symbol of Roger R. Rowell. It measures 6 1/4" long and weighs 2.0 T. oz. The bowl is generously proportioned at 2 1/2" wide, 2" back to front, and 1/2" deep...

Cohr was a major 20th century Danish manufacturing presence whose name was associated with several prominent designers. The company output followed after a modernist style inaugurated by Georg Jensen. This pair of low candlesticks follow in this style. They are triangularly shaped, 2 1/4" across at the widest, and stand 1/2" tall. The combined weight is 2.0 T. oz. They rest on three conjoined legs that extend out beyond the mid point of each side of the triangle...

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...

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...

At 7 7/8" long, this is a large tea or dessert knife. It is also heavy, weighing 1.8 T...

Dating from 1855, "Beaded" is one of Gorham's earliest line patterns and was produced for a considerable period of time. As such, it was made in both coin and sterling silver. This example is the latter. It is an exceptionally large, 12" long, and heavy, nearly 4.5 T. oz., fish slice. At this scale, the shank is thick and the beading high relief and tactile. The blade is elegantly shaped, with a gently curved lower edge, scalloping on the upper end and shoulder, a notched lower corner, and ...

Not formally named, the pattern on these three pieces is an "Oak and Acorn" motif that was produced by Boston's Farrington & Hunnewell. It dates c. 1865. It is an engaging, double die struck (meaning it appears on both sides of the handle) design, singular for its time, and considerably more detailed (and less common) than the common patterns of the period, such as "Olive" and its variants. It was produced over a period of time that straddled the switch from a coin to a sterling silver standa...

Durgin's "Marechal Niel" offers a high relief, multi-dimensional portraiture of the rose which is its namesake. It is double die struck, meaning the design appears on both the front and back sides of the handle. This group of eight matching, 5 13/16" long, just over 6.9 T. oz., teaspoons are without monograms or removals and are in immaculate condition, showing no wear whatsoever. They have well-shaped bowls free of dings, dents, or scratches and the overall finishes are brilliant. Marks are ...