This 6 1/8" long, slightly over .7 T. oz., spoon is an unexpected design produced by an unexpected source. The handle is an open spiral, something akin to a square twist such as Whiting and other manufacturers produced, but apart from that it is unique in the realm of late 19th silver flatware design. The handle has an overall hammered surface, with a rough end suggesting a torn or broken natural form. Indeed, this naturalistic, i.e...

Whiting's "Empire" dates from 1894 and features a columnar border leading to a rosette and fan or shell end. This latter motif is repeated where the handle joins the bowl and the entire terminal design is repeated in enlarged form in the heel of the bowl. This item is a 5 3/4" long, .8 T. oz., confection or bon bon spoon. The form resembles a nut spoon with its reticulated, shell-like bowl, but this is larger and asymmetrical...

Items such of this 8 3/8" long table or serving spoon are rapidly disappearing from the open market place given the rise in the price of silver in recent years. Part of the appeal of a pattern line like 1896's "Marchel Niel" by Durgin, lies in its exceptional weight, 2.4 T. oz. in this instance, and that amount of silver has high value simply as a commodity, i.e. for "melt." Apart from its heft, Marechal Niel is an outstanding design...

Dating from 1892, Towle's "Princess" is an asymmetrical floral (forget-me-not?) and scroll pattern. It is precisely rendered, with well-defined, raised detail on both sides of the handle. This example is a 5 3/4" long, heavy feeling, 1.0 T. oz., five tine sardine fork. The scrolled shoulder serving end has a matte gold finish. The front of the handle has a reserve area which is free of a monogram or removal; the backside is inscribed "C.H.B." in script. The condition is mint...

One of a line of several figural Art Nouveau designs issued by Unger around the turn of the 20th century, "Cupid's Nosegay" disguises the faces of four cherubic figures set amidst an array of iris blossoms and leaves. This example is a 5 3/4" long, just under 1.0 T. oz., teaspoon. It is in flawless condition, and absent a monogram or removal...

Similar in look to Durgin's 1887 "Alcazar" but more elaborate, the pattern on this 9 1/2" long and heavy, 4.7 T. oz., asparagus server is an identified but unnamed pattern in that company's lineup. The handle is highly elaborated and fully articulated on both the front and back sides of the handle. The design is rococo, featuring scrolls and leaves asymmetrically arrayed, with large areas of open work between them...

The "Shell" line of sterling silver flatware was produced by Stieff on behalf of Colonial Williamsburg which offered the line exclusively through its store and catalog. It is described in a 1970's catalog as "based on an assembled set of English, Georgian flatware in the Colonial Williamsburg collection. It dates from about 1760...

Measuring 8 1/2" long and weighing 1.5 T. oz., this sterling silver berry spoon carries a retail stamp for "J.S. MacDonald" of Baltimore, but no maker's mark. It has a stylized diamond cut engraved handle with a satin matte background. There is a fancy "CMK" script monogram. The bowl is ovoid with notched edges. It has a floral engraved, again bright cut, design on the interior set against a pale gold satin matte surface...

Measuring 5 5/8" long and weighing a relatively heavy 1.0 T. oz., this three tine fork is suggestive of an oyster or seafood fork, but has a different and singular tine configuration. There are three tines, with the lower one exceptionally wide and having a beveled edge, while the other two are narrow and pointed. Two function possibilities are an escargot or a cheese fork. The maker was Dominick and Haff and the pattern is that company's old version "Louis XIV" dating from 1888. It is doubl...

Originated by Schofield and then carried on by Stieff, "Baltimore Rose" is a pattern very much akin to Kirk's "Repousse." This 5 7/8" long, 1.0 T. oz., spoon is its own form and a little puzzling, but the best identification available seems to be jam or jelly spoon. Having an ovoid, egg shaped bowl and elongated handle, it is identical in bowl style and proportion to the much larger stuffing spoon so it is clearly "part of the family." The backside is plain, without a monogram or removal, sav...

Marked with the Gorham lion, anchor, G, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1903," this cake saw or knife is a late example of a popular 19th century form. The pattern is "Norfolk," aka "Villa Norfolk," which is a relatively simple lined scroll design offered at a time when the ebullience of Art Nouveau expression was still at a peak. This measures 9 5/8" long, weighs a substantial 2.7 T. oz., and is solid silver. It is without a monogram or removal and in flawless estate condition. It is absent polishing...

An atypical design for its 1950 date, Kirk's "Quadrille" has a courtly French look, which also likely relates to the pattern name. It is a high profile design comprised of various leafy elements on the front side and a simplified interpretation of the same elements on the backside of the handle. It is also a heavy line, with this 8 3/4" long, large cold meat fork weighing 2.8 T. oz. There is a script "CGC" monogram. The piece is in excellent condition, showing no polishing or other wear, and...