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...

This sterling silver mug has triple provenance. It is inscribed in script on the sidewall "Virgil C. Gibney, 1885" and on the bottom, "From Charles P. Murray," providing two references therein as well as a date. It also bears the maker's name "Geo. C. Shreve" and location, "San Francisco," and the Shreve bee emblem, for a third reference. The piece stands 3" high, has a diameter of 2", 3 1/2" maximum span to the end of the handle, and weighs almost 3.3 T. oz...

With its square shoulders, lined edges and decorative element set midway on the handle, "Crete" is similar to Gorham's "Pompeii" of the same mid to late 1860's period, and to Gorham's less embellished "Rosette" of the same era. Crete employs a leaf motif which in fact dominates the sense of the design. It is double die struck, meaning the design appears on the backside as well as well as the front, and in this case the pattern is extended onto the heel of the blade...

Whiting's "Fantasy" is a pattern about which little information is available. Aesthetic in nature and likely dating from the late 1800's, examples of it are scare. This piece is a generously proportioned soap box, measuring 4" x 3" by 1 1/2" and weighing an unusually hefty 4.9 T. oz. It has an overall hammered surface, with an added design created by chased beading. This piece also has an ornate Art Nouveau "HLM" monogram engraved on the lid...

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...

Formerly associated with Watson, Charles Thomae founded a separate company in 1920 and lent his personal mark to be used as a trade symbol for the new operation. That "T over C" and the word "Sterling" are located on the rim of this stamp box. The item is round, with a diameter of 1 7/8" and a height of 1 1/8". It is solid silver and weighs approximately 1.6 T...

This 7" long, 1.3+ T. oz., tea or dessert fork is stamped "Patent 1850" and with the name "L. [Lewis] Ladomus." This is a very early patent date for a die struck pattern, and with a nod to an informed source on the matter, the design has been identified as belonging to James Watts. Watts and Ladomus were both located in Philadelphia. The design is an elaborated leaf pattern, offered in a period style. There is a fancy, feathered script "HLR" monogram. The condition is very good. The tines ...

This item is a novel shaving brush and container produced by Gorham with a date c. 1895. It is comprised of three pieces. The first is a 3" by 1" round cylinder with lid. This is fitted with a shaving brush set into a sterling base that slides into the tube when closed up and sets in the end of it when in use. Lastly, there is a lid for the open end. It is model number C1128 as marked on the rim of the largest piece. It is also stamped lion, anchor, G, and "Sterling" in the same locale and...

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...

Made by Paye & Baker, this citrus (grapefruit or orange) spoon measures 5 1/2" long and weighs approximately .6 T. oz. The pattern is "Pond Lily," offered in an Art Nouveau style, a mode which P&B was successful with judging from this and other of its designs from the period (early 20th century, 1900 in this case). It has an overall satin, almost frosted, finish and a pale, almost gray, gold wash on both sides of the bowl. The bowl is slender and has a flanged rim with elongated tip. It is i...