Later produced as a Wallace pattern, "Meadow Rose" originated with Watson in 1907. This is an early example, having the Watson crown, W, lion, hallmark, along with the W in a pennant emblem, and the word "Sterling." Older pieces that are without wear as this is, have crisper and sharper pattern detail, and tend to have finer finishes than later pieces. That is the case with this 7 3/4" long, quite heavy, 2.5 T. oz., cold meat fork...

The maker of this 7 5/8" long, nearly 1.4 T. oz., flat-bladed, perhaps tomato, server was Porter Blanchard whose name appears on the backside, along with the word "Sterling." He had a bi-coastal career, beginning in Gardner, Massachusetts where Arthur Stone was located, and living in southern California beginning in 1923 where he established himself as a prominent silversmith. This example is fully in the Arts & Crafts mode, having a reverse tipt pointed antique handle...

Listed in the Tompkins "Handbook of Gorham Open Salt Dishes" with a date of 1885, model number "2155" is a flat bottomed, relatively large item. Each of these examples of that item measures 2 3/8" across, stands 7/8" high, and weighs approximately 1.0 T. oz. They have scrolled edges, rippled ("pie crust") rims, and gold washed interiors, although that is largely polished away in one of these. There are no monograms, inscriptions, or removals...

A premier name from the mid 19th century well into the 20th century, Boston's Bigelow, Kennard & Co. served a market that was increasingly eager and able to procure fine goods, of which this 9" long, weighty, 2.2 T. oz., serving spoon is an example. The design is characteristic of a Boston style especially popular in the 1860's leading into the 1870's. The handle is basically "Old English" with a tipt backside. The bowl is eggplant shaped and plain...

Measuring about 7 5/8" long and weighing 1.2 T. oz., this coin silver item is the length of a tea or dessert knife. That it is engraved "William" in script on the handle, however, suggests it might originally have been a youth knife. In any case, it is an especially appealing example of mid 19th century silver, offered by a well known New York City maker, Albert Coles, whose three part pseudo hallmark is stamped on the backside of the blade...

An early line pattern in the history of Gorham, "Palm" dates from 1871 and is illustrative of the quality of design and production for which that company became renowned. This example is a mint condition, 7 3/8" long, weighty, nearly 1.4 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon. Nestled in a period that generated numerous Egyptian Revival and Moresque designs, "Palm" evokes those sensibilities...

Bearing the maker's stamp for Joseph Haywood & Co. of Glasgow, Scotland, date letter for 1862, and a rampant lion for sterling, this pair of tongs are generously proportioned. They measure 6" long and weigh approximately 1.8 T. oz. They are otherwise plain save for their highly elaborated, cup grips. There is a script "RFG" monogram on the arch. The are in mint condition. There is no visible wear, nor bends, cracks, or scratches even. The marks are fully legible.

Measuring 6 3/4" long, each of these two matched, coin silver forks is tea or dessert size. They are weighty items, topping out at 2.9 T. oz. the pair. The pattern is Gorham's early line design, Cottage, in this instance retailed by Philadelphia's Bailey & Co. and so marked. In addition to the lion, anchor, G mark, they are stamped "Patent 1861." The fronts are engraved "Robinson" in script, while the backsides are engraved "Jan.y 28th...

This singular sterling silver fork, whose design sensibility is aesthetic, was made by Gorham, probably c. 1885...

This pair of coin silver tongs measures 6 3/4" long and weighs a moderately heavy 1.7 T. oz. The maker's stamp is "P. Howell," for Paul Howell of New York City c. 1810. He is also referenced as in a partnership with Garrett Eoff on Wall Street, NY, 1805-07. These dates all correlate well with the design of the piece, which is suggestive of coffin end. The arms are plain and lead to a broad, 7/8" wide, arch, but have an angular shift in width rather than a tapered one. The arch has a bold, f...

George Gebelein was known for "making fine reproductions and adaptations," and as a collector and authority on silver according to Dorothy Rainwater in "Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers." He was a recognized participant in the Boston arts and crafts movement, and well-established in that city. This example of his work is a 9 5/8" long, just over 2.1 T. oz., serving spoon that is imitative of a c. 1800 coffin end piece with an exposed drop on the heel. It is stamped "Gebelein Ster...

A late 19th century design based, as the name implies, on classical figures, Gorham's Mythologique stands alongside Tiffany's Olympian as a premier period expression of this motif. This item is an original, early example stamped with the Gorham lion, anchor, G, and the words Sterling and Pat. 1895. It is a rare form three tine pastry, fish, or pickle fork. It measures 5 13/16" long and weighs a relatively heavy 1.1 T. oz. It has a script "MVL" monogram on the reverse. This pattern is intric...