Catalog: Silver: Sterling

Originally working in Gardner, Massachusetts, Porter George Blanchard became arguably the premier name in the history of 20th century, hand crafted silver production in California, where sources indicate he established himself in 1923, and joined shortly thereafter by his father and brother.

His 1920 "Lotus," which is the pattern on this 6 1/8" long, .7 T. oz., teaspoon, exhibits the clean, simple lines and textured surfaces that define the Arts & Crafts style...

Comprised of six each matching forks and knives, this set was made in Sheffield, England in 1899. Every piece is fully marked with the city "crown" symbol, date letter "g," "lion" for sterling, and "GH" for "George Howson" aka "Harrison Borthers & Howson."

A fruit set, or perhaps for breakfast or dessert, they are small size, with the forks measuring 5 3/8" long and the knives 6 7/16". The group weighs 10.4 T...

A 9 3/4" long, heavy at nearly 3.4 T. oz., item, this spoon in Whiting's "King Edward" is identified by different sources as a large berry or salad serving spoon.

It has a relatively long and narrow, 4" by 2 3/8" by 3/8" deep, bowl, with a raised shell design in the interior as is consistent with the line, while the edge is plain rather than fluted which is more typical in this pattern...

One of the major names in 19th century San Francisco silver manufacturing, Koehler & Ritter produced several full line patterns, holloware, and even some monumental individual items (see Silver in the Golden State).

This pair of 7 3/8" long, 2.8 T. oz. combined, coin silver forks are examples of the firm's "Alameda" aka "Ivy" design.

Similar in style to Gorham's Greek Revival "Corinthian" of the same c...

This 5 3/4" long, weighty feel at .9 T. oz., teaspoon is an early example of Durgin's "Dauphin" pattern, as indicated by the "Faber 1899" engraved on the reverse in fancy, period lettering.

It remains in excellent condition. The high relief rose pattern retains clear, precise, detail front and backsides, and on the reverse heel of the bowl.

The bowl remains well-shaped and free of tip wear. There is one faint pinprick dimple in the base. The finish is bright and warm...

A fully authentic item, that is, not made up or adapted from another piece, this butter pick measures 6 3/8" long and weighs approximately .6 T. oz.

It is an early example of Durgin's 1910 "Fairfax," marked with the company "D" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat'd."

It has a fancy script "F" monogram on the handle front, and a pierced and twisted single tine end that is finished in a gold wash...

Boston's Tuttle Silver Company followed the custom of marking its silver with the initials of the sitting US President inside a crescent. Thus the "JFK" that appears on this indicates it was made during the tenure of John F. Kennedy (1961-63).

Other marks include the company name, the word "Sterling," and the model number "310,"

Solid silver, it is a combined single and double shot jigger that stands 3 3/16" high and weighs a robust 2.0 T. oz...

A form dating from the middle of the 19th century, this item is likely an early ice cream or pudding spoon.

Weighing over 2.5 T. oz., it measures 9 1/2" long overall, and has an oversized bowl that is 4" by 2 3/4" by 1/2" deep.

It was made by Boston's Newell Harding company, whose name along with the New England term "Pure Coin" appears on the handle reverse.

The pattern is a "Grape" that is associated with this company...

Unger Brothers of Newark, New Jersey, produced a series of exceptional Art Nouveau designs that possess dreamlike or mystical qualities, among which is "Dawn," shown on this 5 7/8" long, nearly 1.0 T. oz., teaspoon.

In their entirety, the series incorporates female figures, fairies, cherubs, and flowers. This example features the profile of a young woman set against a poppy blossom, with a second blossom gracing her hair...

An engaging item with a style that does not readily fall into a single design motif, this cream pitcher or sauce boat has a repousse body that incorporates a variety of repousse leaf, scroll, and lattice work elements which are in part Aesthetic and in part conventional...

Identified as a paper cutter in catalogues of its period, this item is typically referred to as a page turner or letter open today.

This large, 11 3/4" long, approximately 3.0 T. oz., solid silver example was made by Gorham whose "lion, anchor, G" emblem, the word "Sterling," model number "B177," and a date symbol for 1898 are stamped on the edge of the handle.

Cast and open, the handle is rococo in design, featuring an asymmetrical array of scrolls, blossoms, and leaves.

The blade is 7...

Measuring 7" long and weighing 1.6 T. oz., this cheese scoop, also identified by some sources as a marrow spoon, has a 3 1/4" by 1" wide serving end.

The pattern is number "21" introduced by Georg Jensen about 1920. This example carries that number, the words "Sterling" and "Denmark" and a Jensen mark consonant with the design date.

Also known as "Pea in the Pod," the curved end handle features ball and leaf elements that, in the manner of Danish Modern stylization similar to that of Jense...

Rectangular with rounded corners, this circa 1895 soap box measures 3 5/8" by 2 5/8" by 1 5/8" high and weighs a generous 3.4 T. oz.

It was made by Dominick & Haff whose three part emblem, "Sterling," "Patent," and the number "56" are stamped on the inside lip of the lower half.

The top and bottom pieces have raised decorative, "Rocaille" style, elements that include shells, flowers, leaves, and scrolls. The interior is finished in an intact gold wash.

The lid is engraved with a flowing...

Produced by Watson, this version of "Cherub" is to be distinguished from the company's full line pattern with this name (see Old Friends item 2714f for comparison).

The figure on this 4 1/4" long, unusually heavy at nearly .5 T. oz., spoon appears to be cast rather than die struck, and possesses much more dimension and detail than the line design.

Indeed, the youthful image evinces an angelic, innocent, and ethereal quality, suggesting she or he is not of this world. Other detail on the ha...

A 3 1/8" by 2 3/4" oval that stands 3" high to the rim, 4" to the tip of the finial, this tea caddy weighs a substantial 6.0 T. oz.

It is stamped on the bottom "Sterling," "Hand Made," and with a lion passant, but without a maker's identification, although it is clearly American in origin.

Note: the style follows after a tea caddy form made popular by renowned silversmith William G. DeMatteo, Bergenfield, New Jersey, who also used the term "Hand Made," and whose son followed him in the tr...

Measuring 8 1/2" long, and weighing nearly 1.6 T. oz., this table or serving spoon dating circa 1880 and originating in Baltimore, is stamped with "Sterling" and "J.S. MacDonald."

It is an engraved "Lily" pattern set on an "Old English" handle, and shows the influence of Aesthetic (Eastlake) design sensibilities in its naturalistic and abstract motifs.

The background behind the engraving has a satin finish along with an "FMA" feathered script monogram.

It is in superb estate condition....

Bowls or dishes are often found missing a lid, with the pieces haplessly separated over time. This is the less common instance of an orphaned lid absent a bottom.

Marked "Stieff," "Sterling," and with a date symbol for 1923, it is an appropriate size for a butter or similar-sized dish, measuring 4 7/8" in outside diameter, has a 3/16" high inside rim that is 4 3/8" across, stands 1 5/8" to the top of the knob finial, and weighs 3.6 T. oz.

The pattern is a high relief, highly detailed, "Rep...

With a 2 5/8" top diameter, this small cup or beaker somewhat similar to a tumbler, is wider than it is tall, standing 2 1/8" high. It is also relatively heavy at 3.6 T. oz.

It is an unusual size, but fits the hand very well. The top rim splays outward slightly, while the base curves inward to a perfectly flat base. The entire surface is finished is a gold wash and engraved with a boot and spur crest.

It is marked in the interior for London, 1788-89, sterling silver, and with a maker's mar...