Catalog: Silver: Sterling: Hollowware

width 11 1/4; depth 6 inches, excellent original condition, no monogram, weight 23.4 Troy ounces (!), please see fifth enlargement for mark. The ink holder is a hand wrought gilt sterling (modern) replacement, which we think an improvement over the original which was glass.

A William C. Codman design, identical examples may be found in both the Jolie and Robert Shelton Collection, "Magnificent, Marvelous Martelé," pp. 498-9 and the MFA Boston, accession number 2001.804

height 2 1/4; diameter of base 2 3/16 inches, weight 3.05 Troy ounces, base shows some evidence of a candle having been pushed down too hard (see third enlargement) but we may say that it's in fine condition when viewed from above!

height 7 3/8 inches, 3 1/4 inches across base, weight 11.75 Troy ounces, no monogram. Please note that these are not weighted.

There are some condition issues. One (on left in photo) has some dents in the side panels; the bobeche on the other is a bit wavy. Also, though they bear the same model number, one is decorated with beading and the other with "rope."

Keep in mind that when your table is lit with candle light, the guests will simply say "what lovely pair of candlesticks!"

height 7 1/2 inches, width across handle 5 1/4 inches, weight 18 Troy ounces, capacity one quart, marked as shown in fourth enlargement. A classic, organic shape made famous by the Jensen Silversmithy (and featured on the dj of Janet Drucker's popular book), this design was conceived by Rohde in 1925, but did not enter production until 1930 because it was considered too radical.

This lovely example is entirely hand wrought, and dates from 1948...

with embossed Biblical scene of Abraham preparing to sacrifice Isaac, complete with the Angel of the Lord imploring him “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God...", height five; diameter 2.5 inches, weight 2.49 Troy ounces, Hebrew description of the scene as shown in third enlargement (the first word is "Avraham," and you're on your own for the rest)...

height 3; diameter 4 inches, weight 7.11 Troy ounces, excellent original condition, monogrammed as shown in second enlargement. A great design which makes use of both applied and repoussé'd decoration.

These come and go, but I don't think we've ever owned one where the chasing is so crisp and the original oxidation hasn't been at least partially removed by some overzealous owner...

height 2; top diameter 1 3/4 inches, weight 2.4 Troy ounces, no monogram, marked as shown in third enlargement, some very minor insults to foot but fine overall condition.

As mentioned elsewhere on these pages, Porter's work is of inconsistent quality. Here, the soldering is a bit sloppy and the hammering is rather random. So let's just consider that part of the charm, if we may.

height 4 inches to top of; 2 inches excluding handle, top diameter 3 1/4 inches, weight 3.2 Troy ounces, excellent condition, no monogram, marked as shown in second enlargement.

Is there a wedding in your future? Picture the flower girl, strolling down the aisle, carrying your rings in this basket.

height 1 7/8 and 2 1/4 inches respectively; gross Troy weight 5.1 ounces, no monogram, excellent condition although the ebony (or teak?) handle is a bit wobbly in place.

Porter was a highly talented silversmith, but his work is inconsistent and sometimes sloppy. These items showcase his skills at their best. The solder joints are subtle and superbly executed, the hammering is uniform and attractive, the piercings are symmetrical...

hand wrought, height 3 1/4 inches, weight 1.74 Troy ounces, excellent condition, monogrammed as shown in second enlargement.

With sinuous curves and whimsical spade-shaped feet, this is truly a little classic of English Art Nouveau silver.

circa 1870, height of cup 3; diameter 3 5/8 inches, weight 8.07 Troy ounces, some minor insults above the applied round foot where Alice perhaps in need of more tea rapped her vessel upon the table (please see third photo) but very good overall condition.

Years ago, many folks had high enthusiasm over silver from the Golden State, but now we're going to find out the hard way whether or not anyone indeed still gives a rat's derrière.

height 5 1/2; length across handle 6 1/4 inches, weight 14.1 Troy ounces, the body richly chased with rose flowers, foliage and a band of acanthus leaves below, the realistically formed wrythen grapevine handle fastened together with silver tacks (see second enlargement), engraved "Minnie / June 2nd / 1875" in cartouche under spout, capacity one quart, fine condition.

If only we knew a bit more about Minnie, a good tale might be told, but alas we know nothing of this lass.

Let's take a moment to reflect upon why a dealer, or at least Yours Truly, chooses to add an item to inventory.

Over the years, I've examined many pieces of Martelé, and if you dear reader will forgive me for a bit of crudeness, most of them are "trashed." Specifically, the detail is severely worn away, leaving the beauty of the overall design still appreciable but no longer intact...

awarded to the Schooner Marguerite, the undulating rim comprising twelve cast and applied foliate scrolled panels, the cast circular foot with waves, flowers and foliage, top diameter 11 1/2; base and height each six inches, weight 53.74 Troy ounces, a few very minor dents but excellent overall condition, richly gilt interior, engraved "Annual Regatta / on the 25th Anniversary of the / Eastern Yacht Club / July 17th 1895 / First Prize / Won by / Schooner Marguerite"

Marguerite was design...

height 1 7/8; top diameter 2 inches, no monogram, weight 2.6 Troy ounces, excellent condition, marked as shown. Just the right size to hold a healthy belt of scotch...

This piece bears the craftsman's mark of both Robert Bean and Fletcher Carter. Also, let's give a shout out to the good folks at ONC, still going strong in Amesbury after one hundred years, who were kind enough to identify this cup as the "Roly Poly cordial."

height 11; bottom diameter five, length across handle to spout 9 inches, weight 47.5 Troy ounces, retailed by Theodore Starr (maker's mark effaced) and monogrammed as shown. We always hesitate to say that an item is in "perfect" condition, but I am hard pressed to find fault with this one...

height 3 1/8; top diameter 5 inches, weight 6.14 Troy ounces, no monogram, excellent condition.

Similar in design and construction to its larger cousin known as the "Louvre Bowl," (see Drucker, p. 188) because it is in the permanent collection of that institution.

height 1 3/4; diameter of base 2 1/4 inches, weight 3.28 Troy ounces, excellent condition, discreetly monogrammed on the underside as shown in photos three and four.

These are perfectly plumb, but wide angle distortion has caused one to look a bit akilter, and for this we must apologize, dear reader.