Whiting's "Imperial Queen" is a late 19th century design based on English antecedents. These two examples, a 5 1/2" long, .9 T. oz. sauce or cream ladle, and a 4 1/2" long, just over .4 T. oz., bon bon or nut spoon, are flawless, absolutely mint, examples without monograms or removals. They both have matte finish, gold washed serving ends. Marks on the reverses are Whiting's lion emblem, "Sterling," "Pat. 1893," and an Old English "O."

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...

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...

Measuring 5 1/2" long and weighing 1.2 T. oz., this sterling silver cream ladle is an old example of Gorham's "Chantilly." It is is flawless condition and without a monogram or removal. There is no polishing wear and the finish is lustrous. The lobed bowl has flanged shoulders and has a bright gold wash finish on the interior. Marks are the Gorham lion, anchor, G, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1895."

Arcadian is a popular silverplate pattern produced under the International nameplate in the late 19th century. There was also a parallel line in sterling, pieces of which are much less common than the plate versions. This example is a 5 13/16" long spoon with a melon-shaped bowl. It has good heft, although the actual weight is less than .7 T. oz. It is probably for ice cream, but could be used for sugar as well...

Measuring 5" long, this cream ladle is smaller than the typical size in Gorham's Virginiana, which is something less than an inch longer. The oval bowl is 1 1/2" by 1 1/4" and 1/2" deep. It has subtly flanged shoulders, but is otherwise plain. This poppy pattern may be Gorham's most successful full line art nouveau design, and deservedly so. This example is flawless, showing scant signs of use, having a brilliant (hand polished only) finish, and is without a monogram...

In his work on American coin silver pseudo hallmarks, John McGrew attributes the arm & hammer, buffalo, eagle that appears on this c. 1840, 8 9/16" long, moderately heavy, 1.7 T. oz., coin silver tablespoon to John S. Putnam of Rochester, New York. There is no retailer's stamp on this. It is a handsome, robust item, with a reverse tipt end and a fancy feathered script "WMH" monogram. It is in outstanding condition...

This Fiddle Thread fork measures 7" long and is quite heavy at 1.6 T. oz. It would have been used for tea or dessert. The backside is stamped Gorham & Co., which is a mark that was used by that company 1852-65, and "Coin." The front is engraved A.L. Fiske in script lettering. It is in very good condition, with surface scratches on the tines, which also show slight tip wear.

This cream ladle is a delicate 5" long and weighs .9 T. oz. It is a cream ladle made by Watson in the Orchid pattern. This is an Art Nouveau design first offered in 1902. It was one of the most successful of a number of successful Watson floral designs of the period. It has a highly textured surface, and expresses all the fluidity that so characteristics the genre. It is in excellent condition and without a monogram or removal. Marks are the Watson pennant emblem and the word Sterling.

Measuring 4 1/2" long and having a 1 1/2" round bowl, this sugar sifter dates from the turn of the 20th century. The pattern is Diana by International, whose indian head mark and the word Sterling appear on the reverse. The design is an elaborate scroll which is repeated in the border of the fancy, star-shaped pierced bowl. This is finished in a frosted gold wash. The item is in flawless condition, free of polishing wear and with a fine finish. There is no monogram or removal.

This pair of tongs bear hallmarks for Finland, with a date code of 1946, and a silver standard marks of "813H," less than sterling's 925. The full marks also include a couched lion, a crown, and a third emblem which tell in sum more of the particulars of the piece. They measure 4 1/2" long when closed, have a spread of 1 3/4" at the grips when open, and weigh not quite .9 T. oz...

Dating from the late 19th century, Gorham's Luxembourg is a French rococo design, as might be surmised from the name. It is asymmetrical and employs scroll and paisley like design elements. This item is a fully original, i.e...