Catalog: Silver: Sterling

Originally associated with Arthur Stone, Gardner, Massachusetts, arguably the most well-known American silversmith of the early 20th century Arts & Crafts movement, George Erickson established himself as an outstanding craftsman in his own right, with the tradition carried on to his grandson Peter today.

This 12 1/4" long, 2.4 T. oz., ladle is variously identified as a lemonade, bar, or martini spoon.

An estate piece, this is an early example of Erickson's work, tracing directly to him...

A weighty item at 1.0 T. oz., this 5 7/8" long teaspoon is a superb example of Wallace's figural "Irian" pattern.

It portrays a full-sized, semi-draped, female image with three putti surrounding her head. One of these is cupid like and is pointing a bow and arrow at her.

Additional detailing includes orchid blossoms, leaves and other flowers, front and back sides, all presented in an Art Nouveau manner, which is consistent with the 1902 date of this line...

This style of tea strainer is designed to hang from the spout of a tea pot.

The body is a basket, in this instance 2 1/4" in diameter and 1" deep, with a bail handle that is attached to a double wire prong that is held in the spout by tension. The total weight is nearly .5 T. oz...

Described in Maryland Silver published by the Baltimore Museum of Art, as the "best known" of the family of silversmiths that included his father, brother, and son, Andrew Ellicott Warner was also "the most prolific Baltimore silversmith next to Kirk."

This example of his work is a 5 7/8" long, .7 T. oz., teaspoon.

Stamped with his name and the Baltimore "11 oz." standard designation, which equates to midway between coin and sterling, it dates from the mid 19th century...

Model number "1907," as imprinted on the underside, along with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and a date letter for "1880," this mug is large and exceptionally attractive. Furthermore, it references significant historicity in its inscription.

It stands 3 5/8" tall, has a diameter of 2 7/8", a maximum span of 4 3/8" to the end of the handle, and weighs just under 6.0 T. oz...

A replica of a style that has its origins in the pre-Georgian era (see Old Friends item 2971f), this pair of sugar nips carry hallmarks in two places for London, sterling silver, 1921, and maker HF, likely Harrison Fisher, which was a Sheffield based firm.

They measure 4 5/8" long, are 1 3/4" across at the handles when closed, and open to a span of 3 5/8" at the shell grips. Weight is .9 T. oz...

Lacking a specific definition, console bowls are generally low and wide items, well-suited to hold fruit or decorative arrangements, and that is the case with this item.

It measures 7" across, stands 2" tall, has a tapering body that rests on a 2 3/4" wide base, and weighs a robust 11.8 T. oz.

Made by Tiffany & Company, it is so marked on the underside, along with "Sterling Silver," "925/1000," and an "m" for John C. Moore II, director from 1907-47...

An early, harder to find and more sought after than later production items, this 5" long, approximately .7 T. oz., Art Nouveau period "Francis I" lemon fork is marked with Reed & Barton's "eagle, R, lion" emblem, "Sterling," and in very fine, precise lettering set along the edge, "Pat. June 25 07."

Newer pieces are marked "Reed & Barton."

It has three, elongated, tines joined to a pierced heel.

The backside is engraved "GSP" in a delicate script.

It is in mint estate condition...

One of the most impressive pieces in any given flatware line, Saratoga chip servers are characterized by their very large, deeply cupped and pierced, bowls.

The piercing is what distinguishes them from their similar, kindred but more common and less dramatic in appearance, cracker scoops.

These features are all present in this 8 5/8" long, 3.1 T. oz., example made by Gorham in its 1893 "Luxembourg" pattern...

A Boston firm rooted in the Arts & Crafts tradition, Tuttle was known for its old English reproduction items, as well as its novel marking system...

Measuring 7 7/8" long and weighing just over 3.2 T. oz., this pair of tongs are large enough in relative terms to be described as immense. They may be an old implement that is sometimes referenced as (fried) chicken tongs.

They are stamped "Lincoln & Foss" for the mid 19th century (1848-57) Boston firm, and quite unusual for the date, "Sterling," rather than the expected coin silver.

The scroll pattern that appears on each leg is one that was probably produced by Farrington & Hunnewell,...

Based on the design, especially the pattern on the 3/4" sterling (so marked) handle bands or ferrules, these six, matching nut picks are late 19th century items.

They are large at 5 7/8" and in New England especially, would have doubled, or even primarily served, as lobster picks.

They have smooth, polished, likely bone, off white colored handles and elongated silver-plated blades.

In immaculate condition, they are all but unused. There is no loss of plating on the picks, the bands ...

While "Olive" was perhaps the most popular pattern produced during the mid 19th century, and made by numerous manufacturers, with many examples consequently yet extant, this particular item is unusual.

It is a 7 1/8" long, 1.0 T. oz., flat, solid silver, knife.

About the size of a master butter, it has a long, slender blade that comes to a point and is likely an early for its form, individual fish knife, and thus a scarce find for the period.

The pattern is double die struck, meaning ...

Stamped with the word "Sterling," model number "145," and the name "Shreve Cump & Low Co.," for Boston's premier jeweler, this pitcher stands 4 1/2" to the rim, 5 5/8" to the highest point on the top of the handle, sits on a square base that is 2 5/8" on a side, and weighs a relatively heavy 5.8 T. oz.

It is also engraved "B" over "R + E" over "1916," in block lettering as was typically used on Arts & Crafts items. Indeed it appears to be hand fashioned, and there were numbers of skilled si...

Retailed by Greenleaf & Crosby, a storied name in Florida jewelry and fine goods, this 6 1/8" long, .9 T. oz., spoon was made by William B. Durgin of Concord, New Hampshire, around the turn of the 20th century.

It is a souvenir piece depicting the city of St. Augustine, specifically the landmark "Old City Gates," as acid etched on the handle backside.

Generally found as a teaspoon, this is the less common citrus spoon variant, with a long, narrow, deep, bowl with a flange margin and point...

This 6 5/8" long by 3 5/8" wide, by 3/4" high to the rim, and 1" to the tallest point, relatively weighty 3.2 T. oz., dish falls within two design categories.

The first is "Danish Modern," taking its inspiration from the style popularized early in the 20th century by Georg Jensen. It also embodies the clean, sleek, look of the "Mid Century Modern" mode, which actually dovetails with the Danish aesthetic.

It was made by the Webster Company, whose "CW with an arrow" emblem is stamped on t...

An exceptionally fine period piece, this circa 1870, 6 3/4" long, solid weight at 1.8 T. oz., gravy ladle has Philadelphia origins.

It is marked "J.E. Caldwell & Co." for the retailer of note, and although the design could just as well be coin silver, "(925)" for sterling.

The style and quality of execution are consistent with work from this source and time. The "Pointed Antique" handle has an engine turned surface with additional engraving. This includes a shield shape reserve area th...

A substantial piece, this pie or pastry server measures 8 3/4" long and weighs 3.1 T. oz. It has a solid silver, beveled edge, 4" by 2 7/8" at the widest, blade with rounded and notched shoulders.

The pattern is Dominick & Haff's "Renaissance," which features images of Florentine style, bearded figures on the end of the handle and the backside heel of the bowl.

This example, retailed by Boston's "Bigelow, Kennard & Co.," as indicated on the handle reverse, along with the D&H three part ...