This coin silver mug is inscribed "Eddie from Lenox, 1870" on the underside, and has an "EG" script monogram on the sidewall. Presumably the E stands for Eddie. Stamped "Coin" and with the number "3," the maker is unknown, but the craft is of high enough order to suggest a major house. The body is canister form, standing 3 1/8" high to the rim, 3 1/2" to the top of the handle, with a top diameter of 3 2/4" and a bottom span of 2 3/8". The spread to the end of the handle is 4 1/8"...

Numbered sequentially H106, H107, and H108, this knife, fork, and spoon respectively appear in Gorham's 1902 catalog along with a set of children's holloware (see accompanying image 4). They are charming items, having plain handles with notched ends and cast and applied children's faces. These are fashioned in a Kate Greenaway style and portray a girl on the spoon and knife, and a boy on the fork...

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...

Old and original examples, each of these four individual butter spreaders is solid sterling silver. They have flat handles and are without monograms or removals. They measure 5 3/4" long and weigh a relatively heavy .9 T. oz. apiece. Frontenac is an Art Nouveau daylily design dating from 1903. The pattern is exceptionally detailed, showing to full measure all aspects of the lily blossoms including the stamens and pollen flecks on the petals...

Engraving was brought to a high art form in the late 19th century and these four teaspoons exemplify the technique at its highest level. Made by Durgin, each measures 5 3/4" long, while the group weighs 2.4 T. oz. These illustrate bright cut work, which is a subset of engraving employs deep cuts that create a faceted edge with a highly reflective, diamond like quality. The background around the cutting has a satin matte finish which further emphasizes the glimmer created by the cutting...

The last and most successful Kings iteration, Gorham's "King George" was patented in 1894, with pieces so marked. Other identifiers on these three 4 3/4" long bouillon spoons, and two individual 5 3/4" long, solid silver individual butter spreaders include lion, anchor, G, and "Sterling." Relatively heavy, each item weighs .9 T. oz. and has the same flowing script "McL" monogram. All the pieces are in excellent estate condition, evidencing no polishing wear and having good finishes.

For the most part, 19th century California silver is far less available than Eastern silver of the same period. The industry of the time was essentially located in San Franciso, with several names dominating. One of these was Schulz & Fisher, the maker of these six, matching, coin silver dinner forks in the "Farlone" pattern. They are over sized at 8" long. The six together weigh 9.4 T. oz. Each one has the same feathered script "D" monogram...

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...

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...

Frank Whiting produced a number of lesser known but innovative designs in the late 19th century, and "Esther" is one of them. Utilizing a scroll and leaf motif, the pattern has strong Aesthetic elements. It is asymmetrical and tends toward an abstracted, free form look in the bowl. The work is precisely rendered and quite subtle, with for example a stippled ground in the area behind the handle details. This sugar spoon measures 5 7/8" long and weighs .9 T. oz., although it feels heavier than...

Originated in 1894, "Verona" bespeaks its late Victorian vintage. It incorporates a variety of scroll, leaf and floral elements in an intricate portraiture. The maker was A.F. Towle, which later became Lunt. This example is a 5 1/4" long tea infuser. The lidded bowl is particularly decorative, with a finely engraved surface complimenting patterned piercings. It latches with a clip. The piece is in flawless condition and without a monogram or removal. There is no evident polishing wear and...

A 1905 pattern, Alvin "Sorrento" stands in a design category of its own. It does not follow after the Art Nouveau of the period, nor does it embody the neocolonial fashion that supplanted Nouveau. That said, it is an appealing and rather lush design that incorporates floral, leaf, and scroll elements. This example is a 9 1/2" long, predictably heavy, 3.7 T. oz., asparagus server. The blade end has four broad tines and decorated and raised shoulders. There is a fancy, feathered script "W" mo...