Catalog: Silver

marked only "sterling 4," (see fourth enlargement) these are probably Whiting or Gorham, circa 1868. Pleasantly heavy in the hand, they are of exceptional quality and workmanship. Each arm comprises a grapevine (complete with added "age" marks!) with two applied grape leaves and a dangling cluster of grapes. A splendid example of Victoriana, and similar in theme to cheese scoops with figural mice, as their form defines their function...

length 7 3/8 inches, weight 1.27 oz. Troy, retailed by Augustus Mathey, excellent condition.

Leveridge was part of a prominent New York family, many of whom were attorneys. His grandfather John William Chase Leveridge (please see fourth photo) served in the war of 1812, and upon his death in 1886 was the oldest living lawyer in the city...

length 7 1/4 inches, weight .88 Troy ounces, excellent condition, monogrammed "H.B." as shown, unmarked.

The perfect gift for your hard-to-please bibliophile friend.

with bird, flowers, foliage; a beaded band above and below, diameter 2 1/4; height 1 1/2 inches, weight 1.5 Troy ounces, .800 standard, no monogram, marked as shown in fourth enlargement.

Some twit put a drop of silver-test acid right inside the cartouche and left a slight stain, but aside from this the condition is exemplary.

length 5 1/2 inches, weight .64 oz Troy, excellent condition, no monogram, mark of Watson-Newell corporation. Aside from the obvious skill and detail with which the face was rendered, what lifts this spoon into the realm of above average is the applied wirework decoration, "Chicago..."

no, not that kind of a cat box, but a snuff box with "trap door" opening and secret compartment, 2 1/4 by 1 7/8 by 1 inches, weight 2.27 oz. Troy, marked with Chinese ideograms only (please see 5th photo).

In terms of construction, this is, not alas a first rate object. The edges don't quite meet up flush, the hinge is on the exterior rather than integral, and there are also a few minor bits of waviness on the front and side panels...

Canton circa 1825, double struck fiddle thread and shell with classic "inset vee" or "Chevron" seam construction, length 11 7/8 inches, weight 6.9 Troy ounces, a minor test mark as shown in enlargement number four but outstanding overall condition, no monogram.

For related items by this maker, see Forbes figure 61c and Chait number 251. This is the first China Trade strainer spoon we've encountered in the course of twenty eight years...

length 13 1/2; width 11; height 2 1/4 inches, in classic Art Nouveau form with embossed cherries along undulating border, no monogram, excellent condition though currently a bit bright (we're not responsible for this sin, alas...), weight 27 oz. Troy. Those who unlike Yours Truly have long strong memories may recall a similar example which we helped place in the Gorham collection at RISD (see Silver Magazine, March/April '98, p. 18). This one is a bit better, we think...

Boston and Salem Massachusetts circa 1800, length 9 1/8 inches, slight tip wear but heavy and in fine overall condition, monogrammed "H" (obverse, script with flourishes).

length 9 3/4 inches, weight 2.57 Troy ounces, excellent condition, no monogram, unmarked but presumably Wm Faber or perhaps Peter Krider.

Both the engine turned and engraved decoration are of the superb quality which is typical of Civil War era silver from the City of Brotherly Love.

double swell fiddle with short front midrib decoration, length 10 3/4 inches, weight 3.88 oz. Troy, fine condition, monogrammed as shown in fourth enlargement.

Noteworthy for the whimsical and well executed decoration of Poseidon averting his eyes from the sullen stare of one sweaty stallion, and for the foliate scrolled embellishments on handle, which are stylistically "of a piece" with the blade.

diameter 1 3/4; height 1 1/2 inches, with high quality brite cut and roulette work engraving, no monogram, superb condition (there is a flea-bite test mark shown in third enlargement), weight 2.02 Troy ounces, unmarked.

Our resident fashion consultant tells me that rose gold colored items (it is gilt inside and out) such as this are currently "in".

Boston circa 1830, length 4 1/2 inches, weight .64 oz Troy, monogram G.L. (script, reverse) the bowl is a bit etched out by, well, mustard, but overall thickness and quality are both above average.

length 12 1/2 inches, weight 1.04 Troy ounces, monogrammed "T" (obverse, see second photo), excellent condition, unmarked.

The attractively engraved shield in bowl lends this an elegance which will uplift your entire martini routine.

diameter, 8.5"; height .75"; weight 14.0 oz. Troy; a few minor scratches and dents but excellent overall condition, no monogram, marked as shown in fifth enlargement...

NY circa 1840, diameter 8 1/2 inches, weight 13 Troy ounces, some light surface wear but fine overall condition, marked as shown in fourth enlargement.

The three elaborately cast and chased feet, with highly carved flowers and scrolls, elevate this object into the realm of far above average.

Rand and Crane, length 11 5/8 inches, weight 3.98 oz. Troy, monogrammed "M" (obverse, old English), excellent condition with button on reverse. The shell appears to be applied rather than die-struck, but little else is remarkable about this spoon aside from the price, which we deem to be quite reasonable.

circa 1835, double swell fiddle with pointed chamfered shoulders, length three inches, weight .15 oz Troy, fine condition, marked as shown in second photo.

These are rather scarce, and this example with its broad, flat leading edge and attention to detail is particularly appealing.