Catalog: Silver: Sterling

A captivating and not commonly found design, Durgin's "Bouquet" is one of that company's first full line patterns, issued in 1875.

Multi-motif, it features a variety of dense, low relief, floral images, all portrayed on irregularly shaped handles with a raised border on the backsides that resembles bamboo. This detail suggests an Aesthetic influence, and is some similar to Tiffany's "Lap-Over-Edge," introduced five years after "Bouquet."

This example is a 6 1/4" long, 1.2 T...

Contemporary maker K.M. Silver is listed in one source with dates 1982-2012, although a company website indicates a founding date of 1977.

Judging from this example, which is a 5" long by 3 1/4" high to the rim, 5 1/4" to the top of the upraised handle, and relatively heavy at 5.2 T. oz., basket, the firm made high quality reproduction pieces.

This would be a fitting size for candies or bon bons...

Arguably the line by which all other Art Nouveau floral designs are measured, Durgin's 1900 "New Art" embodies the exuberance, lushness, and fullness of expression that characterizes this style mode.

The scale of pieces in this pattern is large, as evidenced by the fact that this 8 3/4" long, very heavy at 4.7 T. oz., piece is identified as a preserve spoon, when it is actually the size of a typical berry spoon.

Multi-motif, the portraiture on this is lily...

Without a formal name, but commonly referred to as "Peony" for the large, single, arched, blossom that appears on the end of the handle, this circa 1885 pattern is also characterized by its twist stem.

The line is number "26," by Whiting, and this number, along with the company "lion" logo and "Sterling," appears on the backsides of this youth set, comprised of a 6 3/8" long fork and 5 7/8" long spoon, with a combined weight of 2.1 T. oz...

First appearing in Gorham's 1884 catalogue, offered as a set of twelve, "Number 3" oyster or seafood cocktail fork was illustrated in later catalogues (through the 1890s) shown with other exotic designs of the period (see image 2).

The primary feature of the pattern is an apparent bat face situated at the end of the handle. This suggests some resemblance to a boar or devil as well.

Other design details include wings, and possibly toes, wrapping around both sides of the handle...

Measuring 3 3/4" long and weighing a robust 1.1 T. oz., this baby or infant spoon was made by Tiffany & Co. and is so marked, along with "Sterling," "m," and model number "1338."

While not a line pattern, it has the plain, clean style of an Arts & Crafts piece, akin to Tiffany's "Gramercy" or "Hamilton," and, as do those pieces, likely dates from the second or third decade of the 20th century.

The handle wraps around to form an open loop.

Never monogrammed, it is in excellent condition...

Building upon motifs drawn from classical mythology, Tiffany's "Olympian" is a highly expressive and intricately rendered design.

The theme on this 7 3/8" long, very heavy at just under 3.8 T. oz., gravy ladle is "Paris, the son of Priam," which was one of seventeen different subjects offered in this line (William P. Hood Jr., Tiffany Silver Flatware).

It has a plain, oval, 2 3/8" by 2" by 3/8" deep, bowl, with a large classical face on the backside heel...

Embodying a rococo pattern, and likely dating from the late 19th century, this 6 5/8" long, .9 T. oz., bread or toast fork incorporates leaves, scrolls, acanthus leaves, and floral elements.

It is hollow with three tines and is all silver, marked "Sterling," model number "1223," and with a maker's emblem, which is a triangle with a rubbed interior.

There is a feathered script "L" monogram engraved on one side of the handle...

Lengthy at 5", and weighty at 1.7 T. oz., this pair of tongs are heavily ornamented in a way that is reminiscent of the dominant architectural style popular in the period of the piece...

This Whiting pattern introduced in 1890 is known by several names including singular and plural variations of "Rose & Scroll" as well as "LaFrance" and "LaFrancais."

This example is a 3 3/8" long, .4 T. oz., tea caddy spoon.

The bowl is scoop or shovel form and quite decorative. It has an embossed surface, cupped heel with scalloped shoulders, and is finished in a gold wash on the interior...

A large item, measuring 10 3/8" long and weighing nearly 2.7 T. oz., this solid silver ice cream slice was made by Frank Whiting in the "Palm" pattern.

Introduced in 1887, and embodying an Aesthetic sensibility, "Palm" is a floral and leaf design with a large fan or spray element at the terminus that evokes a palm leaf. The design is raised, lending it a chiseled or sculpted quality.

The blade on this is a statement in its own right. It has a sweeping lower edge running to a defined point,...

Measuring 7 3/4" long and weighing 2.0 T. oz., this fork has rounded shoulders and three wide and lengthy tines, the outer two of which are splayed.

The form is uncommon and hence of uncertain function. It may be a spinach or toast/bread fork, or for another purpose yet. The proportions assure it is definitely original and not adapted from another piece as, for example, most potato forks are derived from dinner forks.

The maker was George Sharp, Philadelphia, as indicated by his "lion, S, ...

A matched set, each of these candlesticks is marked on the brushed finished, flat bottom, underside, "Tiffany & Company," "Sterling," "925/1000," "m," pattern number "18929" (introduced in 1916), order number "5839," and the word "weighted."

They weigh 19.9 T. oz. the pair, but that is essentially irrelevant because of the fill in them.

A matched, baluster form, pair, they stand 6 1/2" tall, have bases that are 3 7/8" across, and have solid silver removable bobeches that are 2" in diameter...

A pattern originated by John Polhamus in the second half of the 19th century, and continued by George Shiebler, "Corinthian" is a Greek Revival design that features an anthemion at the handle end, supported by rosettes and palmettes.

These six place or dessert spoons are all matching, were never monogrammed, measure 7" long each, and weigh 8.0 T. oz. the group.

They are in excellent condition, are absent polishing wear and have bowls that remain well-shaped and are free of dents, bends, ni...

A large item measuring 9 3/8" long and weighing 2.5 T. oz., this serving fork has four tines, the outer two of which are notched. The serving end has a cupped heel with decorated shoulders and is finished in a gold wash front and backsides.

The pattern is "Empire," which is a late 19th century design that incorporates imagery suggestive of majesty, nobility, and imperial realms. This includes a dominant crown, cornucopia, a torch and flame, a wreath and festoons of ribbons and flowers.

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Measuring 8 3/4" long and weighing just over 2.0 T. oz., this piece is a berry scoop or shovel.

Marked "Berry & Co. Baltimore," for that city's firm with working dates 1880-94 according to Maryland Silver published by the Baltimore Museum of Art, and "Sterling," the pattern is a finely engraved flower and leaf design on the tipt back handle. This is interpreted in an Aesthetic manner, set against a satin matte finish.

The engraving repeats in an enlarged representation in the scallo...

Measuring 7 7/8" long, with a round bowl 2 1/2" in diameter and 3/8" deep, and weighing 2.1 T. oz., this piece is French in origin

It is fully stamped with Paris hallmarks for first standard, i.e. .950 pure (vs. .925 for sterling), including the "bearded man" head used 1819-38, a female head large guaranty mark, and a bigorne.

The maker's mark is diamond shape with a tower like image in the center, three letters in the left, right, and bottom corners, the right hand one of which is "G" whi...

One of the pairings within the Bateman Family of silversmiths, that of Peter and Ann, brother and sister-in-law, son and daughter-in-law respectively, of Hester, dates from the last decade of the 18th century.

This 8 3/4" long, approximately 2.0 T. oz., table or serving spoon, has complete and clear marks for these makers, "PB/AB," sterling, 1791, and a duty (bust) stamp.

It is an "Old English" form with a downturned, tipt backside, handle.

Likely evolved from a rattail, there is a long...