Dating from 1872, Wendt's "Bird" evolved from the same design impulse as Tiffany's "Japanese" (later "Audubon") and Whiting's "Japanese." As the name implies, the main theme is a bird portraiture, set in various poses on different pieces. This example is an 8 7/8" long, 1.8 T. oz., berry spoon. It has an unusual elongated bowl with scalloped and ruffled walls. The inside edges of the walls have a matte gold finish, while the interior bottom has a bright gold finish...

At 8" long, and weighty at 1.5 T. oz., this is small for a tablespoon, and large for a dessert or oval soup by today's standard. In it's c. 1860 period the size was not so unusual and it likely served as a place spoon. The pattern is olive. It is stamped "J.J. Rider." who was no doubt the retailer, and likely from the Boston area as the term "Pure Coin" which also appears on the backside is almost exclusively a regional mark. There is a fancy, feathered "MFB" monogram on the reverse...

Each of these six, matched, coin silver teaspoons measures exactly 6" long and has the same fancy, feathered script "PAC" monogram. The group together weigh 3.9 T. oz. They are stamped "Wm. W. White," who is listed as a silversmith and jeweler in New York City, with a short early period in Philadelphia. The leafy pattern has been attributed to A. and W. Wood also of New York, and if there is this connection, these would have to date c...

This sterling silver teaspoon is the smaller of two sizes, measuring 5 3/8" long and weighing .7 T. oz. It is commonly referred to as a "5 O'Clock" spoon. The pattern is Whiting's Art Nouveau Lily. This is an early estate piece in outstanding condition and without a monogram or removal. The design remains crisp and well-defined, the bowl is well-shaped and free of dings or dents, and the finish is lustrous. Marks are the Whiting logo, "Sterling," "Pat. 902, "R'd...

Each of these salad or pastry forks measures 5 5/8" long and has the same script "JL" monogram. The group weighs 9.8 T. oz. The pattern is "Imperial Chrysanthemum" by Gorham. This is an opulent floral design dating from 1894 and tending toward the Art Nouveau style. These are in immaculate estate condition. Pattern detail remains clear and crisp, with no apparent polishing wear. The tines are even and pointed and retain almost all of their original gold finish...

This 7" long, .9 T. oz., silver butter knife is stamped "A. Stowell" for the Boston retailer, and with the word "Coin." It is a simple piece, with an upturned Antique handle, and a blade with a scalloped upper edge. The backside has a large Old English "F" monogram. The interesting aspect of this is the singular style, delicate engraving on the front. It is very fine, utilizing a lot of dots. The handle portraiture is leaf and floral, while the blade is grape leaves and fruit. The border o...

Measuring 4" long and weighing just over .3 T. oz., this master salt spoon was made by Lunt. The pattern is "Mount Vernon," which is an early 20th century design featuring a central shield surrounded by a pair of cornucopias. The interior of the bowl has a matte finish. The piece is in flawless condition and is without a monogram or removal. It is marked with the Lunt emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat'd 11-29-05."

This sugar caster or muffineer stands 6 7/8" high, has a base diameter of 2 3/8", and weighs a generous 5.1 T. oz. It was made by Watson and is stamped with that company's crown, w, lion hallmark on the underside, along with the words "Sterling Silver," the model number "M20," and the single number "8." The lid is marked "Sterling" and with the same number "8." It likely dates early 20th century. The form is traditional, of a manner that echoes a style that might be found in an English Geor...

This pair of tongs measure 3 3/4" long and weigh just over .5 T. oz. which is heavy relative to their size. They are a numbered item, specifically "41," rather than a line design, and appear in Gorham's 1892 catalog (see illustration 2). The design is a dense scroll and floral having a rococo quality. The main elements of the arms are cast, while the bands and grips are struck. Casting enables a more detailed and textured surface than would otherwise be available, and it creates a grained su...

This sterling silver coffee spoon was made by Gorham c. 1890. It measures 4 3/4" long and weighs nearly .5 T. oz. which is quite heavy for a piece this size. It has a cast handle that portrays perhaps daisies or asters with leaves and stems. The die struck bowl also has a floral and leaf theme, but also incorporates a free-form scroll and swirl element as well. This is suggestive of an aesthetic influence at work in the overall design. The backside is plain save for the Gorham lion, anchor,...

This master butter knife measures 7 1/8" long and weighs not quite .8 T. oz. It is stamped "Coin" and "S. & J. Myers," who was likely the retailer with location possibly Syracuse or Boston. It is mid 19th century in style, with flat surfaces, sculpted edges and period engraving and wriggle work. This is especially appealing and features a series of unique anchoring dots that seem to form a grid for the engraving. The backside is plain except for a script "J" monogram and the aforementioned m...

A French-inspired design dating from 1897, Durgin's Madame Royale features a leaf and berry motif set against a lined border. This example is a 6 7/8" long, 1.1 T. oz., sardine fork, retailed by Philadelphia's Bailey, Banks, & Biddle, as stamped on the reverse. Other marks are the Durgin "D" and the word Sterling. The design is elaborated upon in the heel of the gold finished, six tined serving end. The lower tine is notched to provide a cutting edge. There is a script "CLSB" (?) monogram. ...