Old Friends  
5279dd   $165.00

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Generally identified as a macaroni server, the pronged edge with pierced bowl form of this 9" long, 2.4 T. oz., solid silver spoon also follows after what are described as fried oyster or simply entree servers.

While broadly similar, there is considerable individualization among these types of pieces from maker to maker and pattern to pattern. Invariably, though, they one of the more interesting and dramatic servers in any line.

The pattern on this, Argo, was introduced by J.B. &... Click for details

Old Friends  
5277f   $165.00

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A sugar shaker, aka muffineer, this solid silver piece stands 6 1/2" tall on a 2 1/2" diameter footed base and weighs 3.5 T. oz.

It is hallmarked on the upper portion of the wall for London, sterling, 1938, and maker "CE," who is documented but unidentified.

It is counter stamped on the sleeve fitting with a "lion" and "C."

Baluster form, it has a widened lower body with slender upper portion. The foot is tiered, as is the top of the lofty cap that is surmounted by a finial that... Click for details

Old Friends  
5276f   $46.00

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Specialized implements, toast or bread forks typically follow after the form of this 6 1/4" long, approximately .8 T. oz. (23 grams), example with three long tines and a relatively short handle.

Late Victorian in style and hollow, it has a Pointed Antique handle with raised Scroll and Leaf detailing on the shoulders of the tine area.

The tines are pointed and tapered, with the outer two wavy.

The handle backside is engraved in an elegant, feathered script, "K.J.W."... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20230414-02   $24.00

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Offered is a very nice and colorful 19th Century American jeweler trade card for T. R. Hand of Philadelphia, featuring a charming theme of two children riding a giant grasshopper. This card measures about 4 7/8 inches wide by about 3 1/4 inches high. It probably dates to the 1870s, but could be a little earlier or later. Condition is very good overall, with some areas of rubbing or discoloration as would be expected. All in all a nice example of a hard-to-find piece of ephemera!

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20230414-01   $25.00

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Offered is a nice watch paper from the 1840s, made for and used by Canandaigua, New York watchmaker and jeweler Oscar E. Sibley. The paper bears a date of May 7, 1847 on the back, presumably the date he serviced a watch. This watch paper, done in orange paper with a black design, is still in the shape of the watch body, and is in decent condition though crumpled and split at the edges as these typically are. It measures around 1 7/8 inches across. All in all a nice example of ephemera... Click for details

Bruce Cherner Antique Silver  
2496   $125.00

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Albany circa 1790, rounded end with short back midrib and raised incised drop, monogrammed "P over L G" in period shaded block lettering, typical bright-cut and wriggle-work engraving, length 9 1/8 inches, weight 2.09 oz Troy.

There is a pinprick dent, visible mostly from the reverse, which we show in excruciating detail (see third enlargement); also an engraved inventory number, but aside from these issues the condition is very good.

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  
5266f   $52.00

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A choice example, finely made and in essentially original condition, this serving, aka table, spoon measures 8 5/8" long and weighs 1.4 T. oz.

It is stamped "Coin" for the silver standard, and "Vautrot & Ackly" for the 1866-c. 1875, Warren, Ohio, partnership.

The (Fiddle) Tipt pattern predates this period, so this may have been older inventory carried forward from Vautrot's earlier working years, beginning in 1849.

It is engraved "Laura." in script set sideways on the handle... 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

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20230331-01   $39.50

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Offered is a lovely mid-19th Century American coin silver pie fork or dessert fork by the Baltimore firm of Larmour & Company, established in 1856 and in business at least through the 1870s. This fork is unique in that it is engraved "Irish" in script, presumably the surname of the original owner. This piece measures about 5 3/4 inches in length and weighs a very heavy 28 grams. It is in excellent condition, with minimal wear and no bends, dents, splits or repairs. All in all a great piece... Click for details

Old Friends  
5260f   On Hold

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There were numerous members of the Pitkin family attached to the silver industry in Hartford and East Hartford, Connecticut over a span of many decades in the 19th century.

This 7 1/4" long, 1.1 T. oz., place, aka dessert or oval soup, spoon, is marked "W.L. & H.E. Pitkin," for the partnership between William Leonard and Horace Edward, 1863-94. Given this is also stamped "Coin," it traces to the earliest years of the pairing.

The pattern is undocumented, but is in the manner of a... Click for details

Old Friends  
5257f   $225.00

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This 8 3/8" long, 2.0 T. oz., item is a superb example of mid 19th Boston silver work in terms of form, execution, and condition.

An Olive pattern, which was particularly popular in Boston in the period and produced with slight variation by several makers, it is marked "lion, F&H, bust," for manufacturer "Farrington & Hunnewell."

It is a hotcake, aka pancake or waffle, lifter.

Characteristic of the form, it has a 2 5/8" diameter, essentially round in this instance, flat server... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20230326-03   Sold

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Offered is an interesting early American 18th Century coin silver teaspoon circa the 1780s, markd B:D, perhaps for Benjamin Drowne of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This piece measures about 4 1/2 inches in length and weighs about 9 grams. It is engraved with a period set of initials and is well-struck with a clear maker's mark of "B:D". Condition is excellent for its age, with no damage or repairs, and minimal wear. All in all a superb early American silver spoon!

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20230326-02   Sold

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Offered is a very scarce example of the wares and mark of Jacob Goodlive & Co., working in St. Joseph, Missouri in the 1860s. This mark is so uncommon that Norman Mack was unable to find a single example in 20 years of intensively collecting and studying Missouri coin silver, and his book "Missouri's Silver Age" states that not a single example has been found. This heavy tablespoon is engraved with a period script monogram and has good clear marks. It measures about 8 inches in length and... Click for details

Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts  
20230326-01   Sold

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Offered is a nice and scarce example of the late work of noted colonial Virginia silversmith James Geddy (1731-1807), who worked in various locations, most notably in Williamsburg, and late in life in Petersburg. This Virginia coin silver spoon should date to the 1783-1807 period during which Geddy was working in Petersburg. This piece has a period engraved block letter monogram and a museum accession number - it was deaccessioned in recent years by a Southern institution. It also has a good... Click for details