Imprinted on the underside with the model number 5818A, this piece is also marked with the Gorham lion, anchor, G, the word "Sterling," and a date symbol for 1906. It is identified in the 1906 Gorham catalog as a "bon bon dish" (see image 3). It measures 8" in diameter, stands 2" high, and weighs 6.4 T. oz. The date is consistent with its decidedly Art Nouveau style. It has four major, undulating lobes interspersed with four minor ones...

Listed in the Tompkins "Handbook of Gorham Open Salt Dishes" with a date of 1885, model number "2155" is a flat bottomed, relatively large item. Each of these examples of that item measures 2 3/8" across, stands 7/8" high, and weighs approximately 1.0 T. oz. They have scrolled edges, rippled ("pie crust") rims, and gold washed interiors, although that is largely polished away in one of these. There are no monograms, inscriptions, or removals...

The smaller of two fish knives Durgin offered in its "Chrysanthemum" line, this piece measures 7 1/2" long and is very heavy, weighing just under 2.0 T. oz. It is flat handled and solid sterling silver. It is inscribed "Groff" in a feathered script on the blade, and "1896" on the handle...

Bearing the maker's stamp for Joseph Haywood & Co. of Glasgow, Scotland, date letter for 1862, and a rampant lion for sterling, this pair of tongs are generously proportioned. They measure 6" long and weigh approximately 1.8 T. oz. They are otherwise plain save for their highly elaborated, cup grips. There is a script "RFG" monogram on the arch. The are in mint condition. There is no visible wear, nor bends, cracks, or scratches even. The marks are fully legible.

Later produced as a Wallace pattern, "Meadow Rose" originated with Watson in 1907. This is an early example, having the Watson crown, W, lion, hallmark, along with the W in a pennant emblem, and the word "Sterling." Older pieces that are without wear as this is, have crisper and sharper pattern detail, and tend to have finer finishes than later pieces. That is the case with this 7 3/4" long, quite heavy, 2.5 T. oz., cold meat fork...

A figural design, Gorham's "Paris" is, as would be expected from the name, French in style and highly decorative. It also one of Gorham's more robustly scaled lines, and that is the case with this 7 7/8" long, weighty, 1.7 T. oz., master butter knife. It has a script "A.T.A." monogram set on the horizontal. It is in good condition overall. The blade is free of bends, nicks, or burrs and the finish is appealing...

Dating from the 1860's, William Vanderslice's "Gargoyle" is one of the few patterns that is truly indigenous to San Francisco, contrary to much San Francisco silver that was retailed there but with origins outside the state. It is a dramatic design, having an overall Gothic Revival sensibility. The piece is dominated by an open mouthed (appropriate to its namesake), lion-like figure set at the end of the handle. This example is a large, 11 1/2" long, heavy, approximately 2.8 T. oz...

A 19th form, this cake knife aka cake saw (taken from the sawtooth top edge of the blade), is 9 3/8" long and weighs 2.4 T. oz. It is flat handled and solid silver. The pattern is "Domestic," by Gorham, dating from 1881. It features intricate ivy detailing, with a small bee and dragonfly beside a central rosette, and a fan end. It is a pastoral and charming design, and touches upon the aesthetic mode with the insect figures...

Marked only "Sterling," this c. 1860's pattern is a Whiting design commonly identified as "Calla Lily," taken from the three dimensional flower that adorns the end of the handle. This example is a large, 10 1/2" long, just under 2.6 T. oz., serving spoon. Described by one source as "jewelry-esque," this is assembled from a variety of parts, rather than being die struck as a unit, or a single casting. This approach was popular in the mid 19th century and certainly showed the silversmith's art ...

This cream or sauce ladle is appealingly proportioned. It is 6" long overall, weighs .7 T. oz., and has an ovoid bowl that is 1 1/2" by 1 3/4" and weighs .7 T. oz. Its slender proportions present in an elegant manner. The tipt end is engraved "E.P. Ives." in a fancy, feathered script. The mark is "W.M. Root & Brother," which was a Pittsfield, Massachusetts partnership dating from the the 1850's, although the style would suggest an earlier date. There is an eagle pseudo hallmark which McGrew...

Marked on the blade "1847 Rogers" (International) and with "Meriden Conn." in a circle, this master butter knife measures 7 1/2" long and has a blade twisted at a right angle to the handle. The pattern is "Arcadian," which is one of the few silver-plated designs that rival comparable sterling pieces. The pattern features classical figures offered much in the manner of Gorham's "Versailles" or Tiffany's "Olympian" and dates from the same 1880's period. In this instance, the image is of a young...

"New King" is Dominick & Haff's version of an English origin design. It joins Tiffany's "English King" and Gorham's "King George" as the premier iterations of this motif in the American environment. This example is a 6" long, heavy, 1.5 T. oz., sugar spoon in flawless condition. The shell shaped bowl has a matte finish with a pale gold wash. There is no monogram or removal. Marks are "Sterling," the D&H emblem, and the name of the retailer, "Carter Bros" of Portland, Maine.