Catalog: Silver: Sterling: Flatware

Issued in 1891, Dominick & Haff's "Cupid" features a raised relief, winged cherub's face on the handle, with variation in the portraiture from piece to piece.

Rococo in manner, the pattern also incorporates a series of scrolls and leafy elements that are complementary to the main figure.

This example is a 5 13/16" long, .9 T. oz., four tine sardine fork. The heel area is cupped and has raised scroll detailing on the shoulders...

Illustrated and identified in Gorham's 1888 catalogue as an "olive spoon and fork," this 12" long, 2.0 T. oz., piece embodies the aesthetic sensibilities of the period, evidenced by its naturalistic form.

The full length of the handle is nubby, slightly twisted, and stem like. The bowl is virtually a leaf, with piercings that resemble veins, and a surface that is engraved with additional leaves...

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...

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...

Issued in 1880, Wood & Hughes' "Humboldt" pattern incorporates Moorish design elements, as popular in the period, laid out on an angular handle.

Produced at a time when the company was enjoying great prosperity and was especially productive, it exhibits sophisticated design and high quality execution. This is especially evident in the plum-shaped, notched edge, bowl that is intricately engraved and finished with a matte gold surface on the interior and bright gold on the exterior...

Issued in 1880, Gorham's "Empress" incorporates a number of design elements, all evident on this 9 3/8" long, just over 3.0 T. oz., serving spoon.

The lower portions of the handle where it joins the bowl suggest an Egyptian Revival influence, while other areas point toward Renaissance Revival inspiration. In addition, the dense floral clusters employ imagery similar to Gorham's "Cluny" pattern that was designed by Antoine Heller, who was highly regarded for his Classical motifs...

To a European scale, each of these two, matching, forks measures 8" long. They are very heavy at 5.2 T. oz. the pair.

The pattern is a (Fiddle) Tipt, with beveled edges along the margins of the handles. The ends are slightly upturned, and the tines are long and tapered.

Each piece is fully marked with a "lion" for sterling, a "leopard's face" for London, a date letter "e" for 1834-35, a duty mark, and "WJ" for maker William Johnson...

Bonbonnieres are bonbon spoons set large.

The form was popular in the late 19th century, and no company was more successful in producing impressive examples than Gorham. This example is model number "588" offered by that firm.

It is medium-sized, measuring 6 1/8" long, has a bowl that is roughly 2 3/4" in diameter, and weighs just under 2.0 T. oz.

It is cast rather than die struck, as these forms generally were...

Syracuse, New York, was a major silver manufacturing center in the mid to late 19th century. Joseph Seymour, the maker of this 8 1/4" long, 1.9 T...