In her work, "Silversmiths of Lancaster, Pennsylvannia, 1730-1850," Vivian Gerstell describes Charles Hall (1742-1783) as a "prominent citizen as well as silversmith." She further remarks that he "played a prominent role in Lancaster during the Revolution. In 1774, he was a member of the Committee of Correspondence and of the Committee of Observation." This modest, and rather primitive looking, small spoon bears his identified "C...

This c. 1905 sterling silver bowl was made by Newark, New Jersey's William B. Kerr, a company that was known for its Art Nouveau designs in both silver and jewelry. This 7" long by 5" wide by 1 1/2" high, 6.8 T. oz. item evidences the quality of work and level of artistic skill that firm produced. The motif is "iris," with a large, open blossom rising up from each end of the piece, and two partially open buds flanking the long sides...

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...

A well regarded name in Mexican silver, Juventino Lopez Reyes, workshop founded 1935, is described in one source as having "good modernist designs," and referenced in another as an "eventual maestro." This 4 5/8" tall, 3 5/8" base diameter, relatively heavy, 4.9 T. oz., single candlestick is fully marked as his work. It is solid sterling silver, i.e. not weighted. The central portion joining the candle holder and the base is cast in a scroll form...

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...

"Wild Rose" is one of several successful Art Nouveau floral designs that Watson produced at the beginning of the 20th century. It offers intricate, high relief, design detail, clearly evidencing, for example, the texture of the petals and the stamen of the central blossom that dominates the end of the handle. This original, 5 1/2" long, approximately 1.0 T. oz., sugar spoon is a superb example of the pattern...

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...

Whiting produced a series of floral serving pieces in the late 19th that are little documented, but likely intended to compete with Gorham's impressive "H" series of similar designs and large scale. The portraiture on this is a "Rose" or specifically a "Cabbage Rose." Whiting's items have cast handles and applied serving ends, and that is the case with this 8 3/4" long, massive weight, nearly 5.4 T. oz., spoon...

Measuring about 7 5/8" long and weighing 1.2 T...

The last and most successful Kings iteration, Gorham's "King George" was patented in 1894, with pieces so marked. Other identifiers on these three 4 3/4" long bouillon spoons, and two individual 5 3/4" long, solid silver individual butter spreaders include lion, anchor, G, and "Sterling." Relatively heavy, each item weighs .9 T. oz. and has the same flowing script "McL" monogram. All the pieces are in excellent estate condition, evidencing no polishing wear and having good finishes.

Measuring 5 5/8" long and weighing just over .5 T. oz., this silver olive spoon was made by Gorham, whose lion, anchor, G mark appears on the backside, along with the words "Sterling" and "Pat. 1903." The pattern is "Norfolk," aka "Villa Norfolk." The retailer's stamp is "Lux, Bond & Lux" for the West Hartford, Connecticut firm which is now "Lux, Bond & Green." In immaculate condition, and without a monogram or removal, the reticulated bowl has a bright gold wash on both front and back sides.

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. This ha...