Old Friends  
5271f   $38.00

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Stamped with Durgin's early "bird surrounded by a wreath" emblem, and the word "Sterling, this 7 3/8" long, approximately 1.0 T. oz., master butter knife dates circa 1880 and reflects the naturalistic Aesthetic (also Eastlake) design sensibilities of its period.

It has a rounded end handle that gently curves upward from the flat blade. The front is engraved in a dense leaf design.

The blade, which has notched shoulders with a scalloped upper edge, is engraved with... Click for details

Old Friends  
5265f   $385.00

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Gorham produced a line of specialty, cast, flatware, pieces of which were identified by a number preceded by an H designation. Items included large and small bon bons as well as a series of exceptionally large serving spoons, and perhaps other items.

This example is model number H156, as identified on the backside, which is also stamped with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and the word "Sterling." Immensely scaled, it measures 10 1/4" long and weighs an exceptionally heavy 5.5... Click for details

Old Friends  
5263f   $55.00

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Measuring 8 3/16" long and weighing approximately 1.3 T. oz., this lettuce fork is more substantial than most examples of this form, which tend in general to be delicately scaled.

The pattern, Altair by Watson, dating from 1904, is broadly rococo in manner. Named for a star, and having Arabic roots meaning "flying eagle," the design possesses a celestial quality to it, resembling perhaps a cosmic cloud.

The tines, two of which are splayed and one barbed, are relatively wide and... Click for details

Old Friends  
5252f   $90.00

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About as large as such an item might be, this napkin ring stands 2" high, is 1 13/16" in diameter, and weighs a robust 1.9 T. oz.

It was made by Gorham, whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," model number "1670," and date letter "Q" for 1884 are stamped on the inside wall.

Plain sided, there are double rolled bands of roses with thorny vines and leaves set on the bias, impressed top to bottom. This alternates with diamond bright cut detailing bordering the rolled bands... Click for details

Old Friends  
5251f   $185.00

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A spectacular example of pattern and form preserved in impeccable condition, this solid silver cake saw measures 10 3/4" long and weighs 2.8 T. oz.

Made by Wood & Hughes, the pattern is Viola, issued in 1875. The design incorporates an arch, palmettos, anthemia, and scrolling, drawing together Greek, Egyptian, and Gothic Revival elements in a successful amalgamation of period motifs.

The handle front incorporates an elegant, engraved, Victorian style, "OR" or "RO" monogram.

The... Click for details

Old Friends  
5249f   $115.00

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An early piece marked on the inside of one leg with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted," this pair of tongs measure 5 1/4" long and weigh a substantial 1.55 T. oz.

Introduced in 1883, the pattern is Cluny, which is one among the many enduringly appealing lines originated by Gorham's renowned designer Antoine Heller.

The pattern features dense, high relief, floral elements with rosette and palmetto accents, set on a three-lobed handle end.

The grips... Click for details

Old Friends  
5244f   $42.00

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Made by Reed & Barton and akin to the company's Harelquin line of flower designs, this orange or grapefruit spoon has a cast handle with a narrow, branch-like stem.

An older piece, it is marked with R&B's "eagle, R, lion" emblem and the word "Sterling."

Measuring 5 3/8" long and weighing .6 T. oz., the pattern is an Orange or Orange Blossom, interpreted in something of an Art Nouveau manner.

Strongly naturalistic and intricately detailed, the fruit is round and full... Click for details

Old Friends  
5238f   $125.00

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Generously-sized, this tea ball is a 1 3/4" diameter perfect sphere, hung from a 5 3/4" long chain with a ring end.

Solid silver, it weighs just over 1.0 T. oz. and is marked on the inside lip of the top half, "Sterling" and with the three part emblem of the "Howard Sterling Company," Providence, Rhode Island, used 1891-1901.

The interior of both the top and bottom are stamped "24."

It has a pierced dotted pattern top and bottom halves that forms an eight-pointed star.

In addition,... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2489   $78.00

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length 8 3/4 inches, fine condition, a discrete three letter script monogram (reverse) as shown in second enlargement, retailed by Boston's own late lamented and very elegant Bigelow Kennard Co.

At 2.85 Troy ounces, this has a wonderfully "heavy in the hand" quality. A fine, old, New England pattern, Newport Shell will blend in harmoniously with any distinguished table setting.

Old Friends  
5235f   $38.00

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Modestly sized at 1 3/4" diameter, 1 3/8" wide, and weighing just over .5 T. oz., this napkin ring could have been part of a child's set (along with a mug, plate, and/or porringer for example), although not necessarily.

It has a three lobed body, the top and bottom ones of which are embossed in an Ivy and Vine pattern.

Again, this naturalistic portraiture is pastoral, almost naive, in its theme and could suggest the innocence of a child.

The interior is finished in a bright gold... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2527   $250.00

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top diameter 4 1/2; height 2 5/8 inches, weight 6.10 Troy ounces, no monogram, excellent condition.

Marked as shown in second enlargement.

Old Friends  
5224f   $175.00

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Note: while the above image shows six of these forks, this listing is actually for eight identical, all original, pieces.

Made by Frank Whiting, this set of forks is marked with the company's "W in a circle" emblem, "Sterling," and the number "2" on the backsides.

Measuring 5 3/4" long each and weighing 4.0 T. oz. the group, they are oyster, shrimp, or seafood cocktail forks.

Each piece has three tines, one of which is hooked, all joined to cupped heels with subtly notched... Click for details

Old Friends  
5214f   $22.00

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Offered in both sterling silver and silver plate, Harlequin was a floral series issued by Reed & Barton and generally made in a variety of generally smaller items.

These seven, 4" long, 2.35 T. oz. the group, coffee or demitasse spoons are early pieces marked with the company's "eagle, R, lion" (later items are stamped "Reed & Barton") along with "Sterling."

Cast rather than die struck, they are highly textured, possess intricate detail, and show a soft gray finish on the silver.... Click for details

Old Friends  
5202f   $46.00

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A 6" long, just under 1.0 T. oz., item, this ladle has a bowl that measures 2" in diameter and is 1/2" deep.

It is a cream or sauce ladle in Whiting's Heraldic, which apropos of the pattern name, is dominated by the image of a medieval helmet set at the top of the handle. The remainder of the design incorporates a dense array of high relief, scrolling acanthus leaves.

The bowl on this is the fancier of two that Whiting used for this line. It has a scalloped rim and raised, leafy... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2526   $450.00

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Gardner, MA circa 1921, Craftsman Arthur Hartwell, length 7 3/4 inches across the handle, weight 9.51 Troy ounces, some scratches as shown in fourth enlargement but very good overall condition.

Let's answer the most obvious question first: Is this the same family whose name graces a certain ravine in New Hampshire's White Mountains which is beloved by back country skiers in search of an adrenaline rush? Yes indeed it is. Edward Tuckerman, Jr., a lichen expert for whom it was named,... Click for details

Old Friends  
5196f   $235.00

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An elaborate figural design ssued in 1891, the central motif of Dominick & Haff's Cupid is a winged cherub. While always a cupid's face and portion of the upper torso, there is variation in the specific portraiture from piece to piece.

Overall, the pattern is rococo in style, featuring a series of scrolls and leafy elements arrayed in an asymmetrical manner.

This example, a 10" long, heavy at 3.9 T. oz., solid silver ice cream knife is one of the largest and most commanding serving... Click for details