Catalog

A major mid 19th century silver manufacturer, Boston's Farrington & Hunnewell produced a number of die cut patterns as well as an extensive array of engraved designs.

This 6" long, 1.3 T. oz., shell bowl, sauce or cream ladle, is an especially fine example of the later form.

It has a gracefully arched, broad, "Reverse Tipt" handle that is bright and diamond cut on the front in a floral, leaf, and swag design.

There is a central reserve area that is engraved in a leaf script "W" monogram...

Singular in form, this place fork measures 7" long and weighs a heavy 1.9 T. oz.

Visually it is divided into two sections. The upper part is flat, thick, and set in a "French Thread" pattern on both sides.

The lower part of the shank is also flat, and has a splayed end where it joins the handle.

The tines are broad and relatively blunt.

It was made by William Gale of New York who operated in numerous partnerships, this one is denoted "WG&S," for William Gale and Son, which spanned th...

Born in 1897, James Brett Hamlin's life encompassed nearly the full span of the 20th century as he lived until 1994.

A silversmith and pewterer with a specialty in jewelry, he studied and worked in New York City until settling in Maine about midpoint in his life, and where he remained active until about 1980. One source describes him as a "true modernist."

This 5 7/8" long, nearly 1.3 T. oz., gravy ladle is an apparently rare example of his flatware work executed in sterling silver.

It ...

Issued at the turn of the 20th century, Tiffany's Florentine takes its name from the city whose identity is synonymous with the Italian Renaissance, and fittingly the decorative elements of the pattern derive from design characteristic of that period.

This example is a 6 1/4" long, very heavy relative to size at nearly 1.4 T. oz., youth fork with a line script "ALW" monogram engraved in the reserve area of the handle front.

In good condition, this retains clear pattern detail and pr...

A popular mid 19th century motif, the (acanthus) Leaf pattern of this c. 1865, 7 1/4" long, 1.3 T. oz., coin silver master butter knife was produced by a number of makers, including Albert Coles, whose "eagle, AC, bust" emblem appears on the handle backside.

It is of additional interest given it was marketed by Joseph Werne of Louisville, Kentucky, whose name is also stamped on the blade back, alongside Coles' hallmark. Werne was a one time partner of John Kitts (also with S.W. Warrin...

A mid 19th century piece, this 6 3/8" long, .9 T. oz., jelly or large sugar spoon is marked with Albert Coles', New York City, "eagle, AC, bust" emblem.

Coin silver, it is a decorative item, with several design details typical of its period.

It has a twisted stem that leads to a broad, shaped end that is bright cut engraved in a design reminiscent of leaves, bellflowers, and fruit, with a diamond border on the front and wriggle work edging on the back.

There is a fancy, feathered script...

One of William B. Durgin's earliest designs, the pattern on this pair of matching 6" long, relatively heavy at 1.9 T. oz. combined, teaspoons goes by the name Bridal, although it is also referred to as Bow, (Crossed) Ribbon or Knot, taken from the bow and knotted ribbon that appear on the handle front and back sides.

They are stamped "Crosby, Morse & Foss" for the Boston firm with dates 1869-75, and "Patent." They also bear a "925 over D in a shield" emblem,...

Measuring 7" long and weighing not quite 1.0 T. oz., this preserve or jelly spoon traces to Boston, circa 1860.

It is stamped "· F&H ·" for Farrington & Hunnewell, along with "Pure-Coin," which is a characteristically New England regional term designating the silver content.

The arched handle has an anthemion-shaped end suggestive of its circa 1865 Greek Revival period, which along with the main shank, is finely engraved in an intricate leaf and scroll design.

Boston design...

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 join...

Measuring 5 5/8" long and weighing .8 T. oz., this sugar spoon was produced by Unger Brothers, Newark, New Jersey, whose entwined "UB" surrounded by "Sterling" and "925 Fine" mark appears on the backside.

The pattern is Douvaine, issued in 1904. Douvaine may be the most recognizable of the numerous early 20th century Art Nouveau flatware patterns Unger generated and for which the firm is renowned.

An expressive design, it features a dolphin or fish image at the tip of the han...

A New York City company which operated in the 1940s and 1950s until its trademark was taken over by Towle, Mueck-Carey produced silver wares such as this baby cup.

In like new condition, without any dents, bends, or splits, and showing a brilliant finish, it stands 2" high to the rim, is 2 3/8" across, with a maximum reach of 3 1/2" to the end of the handle, and weighs 1.3 T. oz.

A perfect cylinder, it has a rolled rim, rounded lower edge with a brushed finish on the underside, and a brigh...

Issued in 1900, Alvin's Majestic is a multi floral pattern that features one of eight different flowers on each piece.

This example is the larger of two sizes of sugar tongs available in the line. It measures 5" long and weighs a robust 1.3 T. oz.

The flower is iris, which appears at the top and mid portions of the handle, and impressively, on the talon form grips.

The margins of the handle and lower section show trailing, sinuous, leaves, all in keeping with the Art Nouve...

A piece attached to the early history of Chicago, this coin silver sauce or small gravy ladle is marked "Speer & Cosper" "Chicago," for a partnership of only two years duration, 1852-53, although Isaac Speer had been in business as a jeweler and watchmaker since 1840, and continued on after the pairing dissolved.

This is an unusually proportioned piece. It measures 7" long, with a handle that is lengthy in comparison to the 2" by 1 1/2" by 1/2" deep oval bowl. It weighs 1.1 T. oz.

The patt...

This Reverse Tipt teaspoon measures 5 1/2" long and weighs .74 T. oz.

It is clearly stamped with pseudo hallmarks that include a "lion passant," a "leopard face," "YS," and a "bust."

Intentionally mirroring late Georgian English style and period hallmarks, this is an example of Chinese Export silver, produced in this instance in Canton by the maker Yatshing aka Yat Shing.

As export silver, it would likely have been made to a sterling standard and is well crafted.

Matching pieces, each of these four silver teaspoons measures 5 3/4" long, with the set weighing 1.64 T. oz.

The pattern is Fiddle Tipt which is a mid 19th century design. Each one is engraved with a fancy, feathered script, "A. R." monogram set sideways on the handle front.

These are marked "Sterling" when coin would be expected for this style, so whether they are early sterling examples, or later production pieces of an older design is uncertain.

That is one of two minor perple...

Measuring a lengthy 5 3/4" and weighing a robust 1.7 T. oz., this pair of tongs are marked on the inside of each leg, respectively, with Durgin's "D" emblem and "Sterling," and "B.K. & Co.," for Boston's Bigelow, Kennard & Company.

The pattern is "Bead," issued in 1893. It features a "Tipt" end with a beaded margin handle, joined in this instance to heavy, detailed, talon grips.

The plain arch is engraved with an Old English "T" monogram.

In superb condition, these are without wear or d...

Lengthy at 7 5/8", this weighty, 1.3 T. oz., solid silver master butter knife is slender and graceful in design.

It has a thick, arched, plain handle with a "Tipt" end and a feathered script "B" monogram, along with a scalloped upper edge blade.

Dating circa 1870, it is marked "Sterling" and "Deming & Gundlach" for the Hartford, Connecticut partnership that was the 1859 successor to Walter Pitkin.

In exceptionally fine condition, the piece shows no significant wear or damage. The finish...

Measuring 5 5/8" long and weighing 1.6 T. oz., this serving, aka table, spoon is an early example of Whiting's 1905 "Violet" pattern, marked with the company "lion" logo, "Sterling," "Pat. App. For," an Old English "O," and an "M," which might be a weight designation (medium).

An Art Nouveau design, this features violet blossoms on the end and midpoint of the handle, along with trailing, sinuous, stems the full length of the handle, ending with a leaf detail at the join with the bowl.

Ther...