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...

This 8 3/4" long, weighty, near 1.8 T. oz., coin silver tablespoon is stamped "W.R. Evans." His dates are c. 1844-1860 and he worked first in Cincinnati and then across the Ohio River in Covington, Kentucky. It has the broad, rounded, tipt end and high shoulders typical of the lower Ohio River Valley and areas south. There is a feathered script "MER" monogram on the front. It is in very good condition...

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...

There are various threads on the internet that offer the tale of the subject of this spoon, Chief Ogontz of the Wyandotte and/or Sandusky Indians. One of his major associations was with Jay Cooke, a person who was generally credited with funding the Civil War, and who named his mansion in suburban Philadelphia after Ogontz. There is also a camp in New Hampshire that takes its name from him, and its website has biographical information...

This coin silver master butter knife is stamped "W.H...

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. The piece is fully original, without a...

This 8 3/4" long, approximately 2.5 T. oz., coin silver sugar sifter is of singular design. Stamped "WwH" for Wood and Hughes, the hexagonal stem with grommet margins is reminiscent of George Sharp. Rather than a ball end which is characteristic of Sharp's and other maker's use of this form, this has a loop with beaded edges, and a single bead tip. The lower end of the handle is joined to a cast section that in turn has three arms that attach to the bowl. The bowl is 2 3/4" in diameter and 1...

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. The piece is a form commonly referred to as a "bucket ladle." The term derives from the shape of the bowl which is this case is 7/8" deep and 1 1/2" across at the top. The sidewalls are tapered and the interior is finished in ...

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...

Each of these two, matching, sterling silver master salts stands 1 5/8" high, has a top diameter of 2 3/8", sits on a footed base that is 1 1/8" across, and together weigh 2.9 T. oz. The pattern is "Calvert," also used in holloware for "Old Maryland Plain." They have plain bodies with applied rims. The bases are slightly tapered upward and also have applied rims. The pair is in excellent, essentially unused, condition. Marks are "S. Kirk & Son Inc. Sterling," which Rainwater indicates was i...