$40.00
P.O.R.
This spoon is not monogrammed and does not appear ever to have been, which is most unusual for early American silver.
There is slight tip wear from right handed use, a few minor insults to the bowl (including a scratch, reverse), and significant wear to the monogram "B / E * E". On the whole, however, this spoon presents itself well. To quote Quimby in American Silver at Winterthur, "Stoutenburgh left a small body of high quality work"...
Maltby Pelletreau was the second generation of this illustrious silversmithing family. His partnership with Bennett and Cook lasted only three years, so the date range for this item is pleasantly narrow...
Finding a set of twelve coin silver dessert spoons in any pattern is rare, but I'm hard pressed to think of the last time we had the privilege to offer a group of this quality (note the "flat" at the tip of each spoon) and decorative appeal...
With their short front "tip't" decoration, engine turned work and bright cut engraving trailing down to the area just above the tines (please see fourth enlargement), these are especially decorative and fine quality examples.
Her great great great grandfather, Henry Ritch, was among the original settlers of Greenwich, CT, having received a grant of three acres there on May 19th, 1686...
On Hold
This mark is commonly given to Saunders Pitman, but we are not so certain that it is his. For example, though the Met attributes a cream jug in their collection (accession number 33.120.311) to Saunders, some might consider this attribution to be problematic, since he'd been dead for a good solid forty years when it was made.
Other reasonable possibilities would include John K...
We could only wish that it had a fine old family name but alas there is no engraving and happily no removal.
The quality of this engraving is above average, and it remains in fine condition.
The three elaborately cast and chased feet, with highly carved flowers and scrolls, elevate this object into the realm of far above average.
One could spend a substantial number of hours searching through design patents looking for the original name of this pattern, and come up empty handed...
The gilt, ruffled bowl is a tour-de-force of Victorian era engraving. Please see our third enlargement for a better view.
On Hold
Marked only "coin," back in the day we would have hastened to read through many musty issues of "Silver Magazine" in order to find the maker of this fine ladle, but now, in our dotage, we will leave this task to you, dear reader.
We have always been fond of Gorham's first high style designs, especially those in the manner of Mary Todd Lincoln's tea service.
The engine turned work on this mug is of above average quality.