Catalog: Silver

This weighty, 3.0 T. oz., 9" long, c. 1865 solid silver pie server, aka pie knife, is marked for the Brockton, Massachusetts jeweler "Gurney Brothers" ("Bro's." as stamped).

Also marked "Pure-Coin," this doubtlessly has Boston origins, likely made by Farrington and Hunnewell, based on the design.

It has an Old English, i.e. downturned, rounded end, Reverse Tipt handle...

Measuring 6 3/8" long and weighing just over .8 T. oz. (26 grams), this piece is a youth fork in Gorham's classical Medallion pattern.

A multi-motif design, this piece features the profile of a left-facing female, possibly Hera, who was the queen of the gods.

The backside is plain save for the marks which are Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Pat. 1864" and "Sterling," along with the name "Robby Lew." engraved in script lettering on the end...

Gorham produced a range of specialty pieces circa 1900 designated by numbers beginning with an "H," of which this 4 5/8" long, relatively heavy at .5 T. oz., lemon fork is one.

It is stamped on the backside with the word "Gorham" over "H 824," and "Sterling."

The solid handle is tubular with a cross-hatched or knurled upper portion surmounted by a "dome and ball" detail.

The tines are relatively thick, with the outer two splayed, as is characteristic of lemon forks...

An 8 1/2" long, approximately 2.8 T. oz., pie server aka pie knife, this piece is an early example of Gorham's Imperial Chrysanthemum, introduced in 1894.

It is solid silver, marked with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and "Sterling" on the handle backside.

The flower from which the pattern takes its name is arrayed in dense relief on both sides of the handle...

Dating from the first part of the 20th century, this item was made by Reed & Barton, whose early "eagle, R, lion" emblem appears on the lip of the bottom half, along with model number "709" and "Sterling."

A tea ball, it is egg or acorn shaped, 1 3/4" tall and 1 1/4" wide, with a 4" long chain attached to a 1" diameter ring. It weighs approximately .6 T. oz.

The bottom half has round piercings, while the hinged top is solid and engraved with an Old English "F" monogram...

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...

A pattern entered into the 1892 costing books of the Gorham Company, Fifteenth Century was offered in a limited number of pieces, including this 8 1/2" long, weighty at 3.0 T. oz., (berry) serving spoon.

Singular in design, it appears to take its inspiration from early Scandinavian motifs.

The handle has a broad, rounded end with an engraved (leaf) surface. The mid and lower portions of the shank are block form and include a sharp-edged central ridge...

Design number "610" produced by Gorham, this 7 1/4" long, 1.5 T. oz., confection (as identified in an 1892 Gorham catalogue) spoon was a special production item.

The tip of the handle features a rampant, i.e. standing, lion, set atop a columnar handle. The lower section of the handle just above the join with the bowl, portrays a stately looking, classical, female figure draped in flowing robes.

The bowl is fig-shaped, and imprinted in the center with an embossed floral cluster...

These twelve, matching, 4" long, 3.9 T. oz...

Dating from 1861, Beaded is one of Gorham's earliest line patterns. It was produced for a considerable number of years, and as such, was made in both coin and sterling silver.

This example, an exceptionally large, 12" long, heavy and thick-shanked, nearly 4.5 T. oz., solid silver, fish slice is to the latter standard.

The blade is elegantly shaped, with a gently curved lower edge, scalloping on the upper end, an upswept, rolled back, and notched shoulders. The surface is engraved in...

These six, matched, coin silver, spoons are marked "Gorham & Webster," for a partnership that traces to 1831-37.

This period demarcated a turning point in the history of Gorham, defining the pivotal time when the company began its ascendency as a premier silver manufacturing firm.

It bears citing Charles Carpenter's passage in Gorham Silver 1831-1981 about this partnership:

Whether or not Jabez Gorham learned spoon making during his apprenticeship is unknown, but when he deci...

This 4" long, .6 T. oz., piece has a shield, wreath, and bow motif engraved on a Pointed Antique handle.

The heavily hammered, oval, bowl with notched shoulders, is a telling feature that places it within the Arts & Crafts mode, dating from the early decades of the 20th Century.

Further evidence of its construction is the fact that the handle and bowl were individually made and joined with an exposed drop on the backside.

The handle reverse is engraved with an Old English ...

True estate items, this group is being offered entirely as found on behalf of a direct descendent of the original owner.

Approximately 100 years old, the three large pieces--mirror, brush, and synthetic tortise shell comb--are marked with the Simpson, Hall, Miller division of International Silver's "helmet" emblem, along with the word "Sterling," while the two smaller pieces--nail file and shoe horn--are marked "Sterling Handle." (Please see both sets of images.)

This is an exceptional set...

English in origin, this George III gravy ladle measures 7" long and weighs 1.7 T. oz.

It is fully hallmarked for London, 1793-94, sterling silver, and well-known makers George Smith and William Fearn (GS/WF).

It has a downturned, reverse tipt, Old English, handle with a thumb drop on the hemispherical, 2" diameter by 3/4" deep, bowl.

The handle front is inscribed with a leaf script "R" monogram.

In very good condition, it shows minimal wear. The monogram is slightly softened f...

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...

This 7" long, weighty at 2.0 T. oz., piece is original example of Gorham's lavish Versailles pattern flatware, marked on the backside with the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Copyrighted."

The multi-motif, rococo, design on the handle is figural and inspired by imagery found at the French palace for which the line is named.

The primary portraiture in this instance is a seated female, perhaps Ceres given that her lapped is draped in a sheaf of wheat.

The reser...

This 1.9 T. oz., 6 1/2" long, solid silver gravy ladle is generously proportioned.

It is marked "Sterling" and "H & S" for Hotchkiss & Schreuder, Syracuse, New York, which firm operated operated under this name c. 1857-71, preceded by Bunnelle & Schreuder and succeeded by A.B. Schreuder.

The "H & S" mark continued in use even after the dissolution of the partnership between the two principals in 1871 ((Rainwater Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, citing Soeffing).

The ...

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...