An early 20th century design, Whiting's Madam Jumel features a raised wreath with a trailing ribbon and leaf drop on a plain ground with square shoulders. This example is a 5 1/2" long, just over 1.0 T. oz., sauce ladle with a satin matte gold wash, front and back sides, bowl. The front of the handle also has a satin finish. It is in close to unused condition, having no damage and showing no evident wear. Marks are the Whiting emblem and the word "Sterling."

Towle produced a number of artful engraved designs in the 1880's known only by numbers. This gravy ladle is "63" in that series. It is large, 7 3/4" long, and relatively heavy, weighing just over 1.8 T. oz. The handle is blunt-end, while the bowl is singular in design. It has scalloped shoulders with double coffered walls. The interior has a bronze gold wash. The entire front of the piece, and the backside of the bowl, have a soft matte finish that gives the surfaces a frosted look...

A combination of Moresque and Egyptian Revival elements, Knowles' "Webster" is an elaborate design dating from 1882. This example is a 7 3/8" long, approximately 1.1 T. oz., master butter knife. There is an Old English "A" monogram on the handle, and Aesthetic style engraving on the blade. The condition is flawless. There is very slight overall polishing softening, otherwise the piece shows no signs of use...

This pair of English, sterling silver asparagus tongs are fully marked for London, 1800. The maker's punch is "IB" for which there are several possibilities, the likeliest being John Blake. English asparagus tongs are of a type, and this pair follow along after the form. They measure 9 1/2" long and weigh a substantial 6.5 T. oz. There is a single crossbar that is secured into place with two silver screws. The grips are narrow and grooved so to hold the asparagus spears...

An early 20th century pattern, Gorham's "Buckingham" resembles "Chantilly" with a Georgian slant. The two designs share a similar outline, but Buckingham adds a scroll and leaf top that is more pronounced than Chantilly's simpler tip. It is a heavy line, and that is reflected in the 2.9 T. oz. weight of this 6 3/4" long pair of ice tongs. One grip is bowl form and pierced, while the opposing grip is claw form and highly detailed...

This Art Nouveau "Iris" or "Orchid" pattern by Shiebler is not a full line design and may have only been produced in this form, which is a bon bon or nut spoon. It measures 4 7/8" long and is somewhat light, weighing under .5 T. oz. The design is particularly expressive, as would be expected of a Shiebler offering. The iris blossom is incorporated into the bowl, with the piercings defined by the margins of the petals. The bowl border is festooned with what appear to be ribbons...

Whiting's "Alhambra" is a Moorish design dating from 1880 and draws from the same stylistic impulses as that company's "Arabesque." This is a rare form, long-handle pickle fork. In addition to the exceptional length, 9 3/8", it has a twist stem that constitutes about two-thirds of the run of the handle. The fork tip has three tines, the outer two of which are splayed and hooked. This is finished in a gold wash which also runs about an inch up the stem...

Stamped with the Gorham lion, anchor, G, "Pat. 71," and "Sterling," this 5 5/8" long, 1.0 T. oz., cream ladle is a fine period piece. The pattern is Corinthian, which falls generally in a Moresque style with, as implied by the name, a nod toward classical Greek design...

This 4 1/4" long, relatively heavy .9 T. oz., cream or sauce ladle is in Tuttle's rarely found "Basket of Flowers" pattern. This has a shell back as well, fully in keeping with the early 19th century designs that Tuttle often replicated. Also consistent with the Tuttle tradition, this includes the sitting president's initials in the marking system. In this case the letters are "FR" for Franklin Roosevelt, and "VII" for the seventh year of his term, i.e. 1939 (the stamp is double struck, but f...

"La Reine" is a late 19th century, high relief, asymmetrical scroll design produced by Beed & Barton. It is a heavy line as evidenced by the nearly 1.2 T. oz. weight of this 6" long sugar spoon. Attractive in its own right, with a decorative, embellished, matte finish, three-lobe bowl, this has added appeal in that it was a 25th anniversary presentation item, presumably wedding. The interior of the bowl is inscribed "1869 Hurlbert 1894" in exceptionally fine lettering. It is in perfect condi...

"Undine" references a water nymph whose name has been attached to works of literature, art, music, ships, and popular culture. Wood & Hughes used it in the 19th century for a line of silver. The design is singular, comprising an asymmetrical leaf and floral motif with scrolling edges that, given the associations in the name, might be inspired by waves. It is a highly textured and intricately worked pattern. The background has a stippled surface that, again prompted by the name, might be mea...

This silver bon bon or nut spoon measures 5 3/8" long and weighs .5 T. oz. The pattern is "Poppy" by Baker-Manchester. Poppy is an early 20th century, Art Nouveau design of considerable appeal. This has a three section bowl with a scalloped edge, flanged rim. This is in exceptionally fine condition, showing no wear or damage, and having a fine finish. Marks are the Baker-Manchester "M" flanged by birds, and the word "Sterling."