Catalog

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...

Flat handled, this master butter, or possibly individual fish, knife measures 7 5/8" long and weights a substantial 1.5 T. oz. It has a broad blade with a scalloped upper edge, a partially scalloped lower edge, and an upswept, pointed tip.

The pattern is Princess originated by John Polhamus and continued in production by George Shiebler, both New York City. Shiebler's "winged S" emblem, the word "Sterling," and the name of the retailer, "R. Smith," Newark, New Jersey appear on the blad...

An impressively designed line of Art Nouveau flatware issued at the turn of the 20th century, Alvin's Majestic features a variety of floral imagery.

The portraiture on this 6" long, just over .8 T. oz., olive spoon is iris. It is offered in high relief, with multiple blossoms situated at the handle end, and one midway, on the front. The backside portrays sinuous, flowing leaves.

The bowl is set at an angle to the handle, has scalloped edges, a vee-shaped heel, and circular pi...

No. 1 in Watson's Fruit Series of patterns introduced in 1903, the orange (or grapefruit) portraiture on this is set in detailed, high, relief and reflects the Art Nouveau design sensibilities of the period.

Made in a variety of pieces, the citrus spoon was a popular item, offered in a number of close on sizes and with at least two different bowls, a plain one, and the one found on this lengthy, 6 1/4" long, and weighty at 1.1 T. oz., example.

It has a scalloped...

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 fron...

A Renaissance Revival pattern, Whiting's Arabesque takes its name from the generic scroll and rosette design on the handle, with in this instance the addition of a large, standing griffin below the open reserve area.

This example is an 8 1/8" long, approximately 1.7 T. oz., table or serving spoon retailed by "Sunderlin & McAllaster," Rochester, New York, as stamped on the backside. Other marks are Whiting's "lion and W" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. 1875."

The handle front is engrav...

This 7 1/2" long, 1.2 T. oz., master butter, sometimes identified as a fish, knife was made by Wood & Hughes, whose "WwH" emblem, "Sterling," "Patent," "1868," and the name of the retailer, "W.M. Savage," Columbus, Ohio, appear on the blade backside.

The pattern is unnamed, but is essentially an unembellished version of the company's 1875 Renaissance Revival "Angelo," with an engraved script "H.B.L." monogram in the place where the Moorish detail of "Angelo" otherwise appears.

Solid silver...

Relatively large at 1 1/2" tall and 1 3/4" wide, and weighing 1.0 T. oz., this napkin ring is stamped with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and model number "2166."

Dating c. 1880, it is bright cut engraved on its otherwise plain walls in an Aesthetic, i.e. Eastlake, style that incorporates fern, leaf, flower, and non-representational detailing and wriggle work.

An open reserve area is inscribed "F.A. Brock." in elegant cursive lettering.

In excellent condition, this is wi...

As noted in a catalogue listing for a spoon held by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, "Horace E. Potter, a native of Cleveland, was one of the city’s most accomplished and long-lived artists of the Arts and Crafts era.""

He produced jewelry and flat and hollow ware. In addition to the piece noted above, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum has a leaf form spoon of his that is listed on its online catalogue.

Working from 1897 onward, he established the partnership of Potte...

Measuring 6 1/8" long and weighing just over .8 T. oz., this pickle fork is an early example of Alvin's 1905 Art Nouveau Old Orange Blossom pattern, informally known as OOB.

Early pieces distinguish themselves from later ones and reproductions by their exceptionally fine detail and finish. In addition, the handle is up-tipped, while later made pieces have flat handle ends.

The marks, Alvin's three part emblem, "Sterling," and "Patent," are finely rendered and are a part of t...

An original production example of Versailles, this 5 7/8" long, 1.0 T. oz., piece is stamped on the backside heel with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted '88."

An old style pastry fork, it has three tines, one of which is wider than the other two and has a hooked tip.

The multi-motif pattern draws its imagery from the French palace for which it is named and in this instance features a pair of playful looking cherubs on the handle front.

The reserve on...

Delicate and slender, this lettuce fork measures a lengthy 9 1/8" and weighs .9 T. oz.

An early example of Whiting's Imperial Queen, it is stamped with the company's "lion and W" logo, "Sterling," "Pat. 1893," and with an Old English "O."

Never monogrammed, it is in excellent condition.

The shell and leaf elements that constitute the design are free of polishing wear, remaining crisp and well-defined. The wispy tines are well-formed and without bends, nicks, or burrs. The fi...

This 5 1/2" long, .8 T. oz., sardine fork is stamped with the Whiting Manufacturing Company "lion and W" emblem, "Sterling," an Old English "O," and "Pat. 1896."

The pattern is Dresden, which is a charming and intricate, late 19th century, floral design that features what appear to be forget-me-not blossoms and leaves trailing up the handle. A shell surmounts the handle tip and there is acanthus leaf detailing in other areas.

The pattern repeats with slight variation on both sides o...