Catalog: Silver: Sterling

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...

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...

These twelve, matching, 4" long, 3.9 T. oz. the lot, likely cast rather than die struck, coffee spoons are as singular as they are appealing.

Made by Whiting, the company's "lion" emblem and "Sterling" are stamped on the backside of each piece.

Dating from late 19th century to early 20th centuries, and toward Art Nouveau in manner, this non-line pattern features a stylized, raised grape cluster and leaf motif on the terminal end...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

In excellent condition, the f...

A matched pair, this 9" long fork and 8 7/8" spoon could be used in combination as a serving set or individually.

Heavy items, the fork weighs nearly 3.6 T. oz., and the spoon close to 3.4 T. oz., for just under 7.0 T. oz. combined.

The pattern is Gorham's Coligni. These are early, original issue, items marked with Gorham's "lion, anchor, G," "Sterling," and "Copyrighted '89" on the backsides.

This Antoine Heller design stands alongside other enduring Gorham patterns originated b...

Produced in the greatest number between 1780 and 1840, English meat skewers varied little in form (Thomas Waldron, Antique Silver), although as this example illustrates, they ranged in size.

Generally quite lengthy (there are three others offered on Old Friends between 10" and 12" long), this piece measures 7" and weighs approximately .6 T. oz. Its size actually sets it apart.

It is fully hallmarked for London, 1805-6, sterling silver, and maker Thomas Wallis.

The shank is...

This spoon is a commemorative of one of the climactic events of the 19th century, namely the Chicago World's Fair, formally the World's Columbian Exposition.

Made by Whiting, whose "standing lion with W" and "Sterling," are stamped on the backside, this measures 5 7/8" long and weighs just under 1.0 T. oz.

The front of the handle incorporates the name of the event, along with "1893," as well as "Chicago" arrayed over a "star" and a staunch looking "phoenix head" (so identifie...

An elaborate figural design ssued in 1891, the central motif of Dominick & Haff's Cupid is a winged cherub. While always a cupid's face and portion of the upper torso, there is variation in the specific portraiture from piece to piece.

Overall, the pattern is rococo in style, featuring a series of scrolls and leafy elements arrayed in an asymmetrical manner.

This example, a 10" long, heavy at 3.9 T. oz., solid silver ice cream knife is one of the largest and most commanding serving...

A 6" long, just under 1.0 T. oz., item, this ladle has a bowl that measures 2" in diameter and is 1/2" deep.

It is a cream or sauce ladle in Whiting's Heraldic, which apropos of the pattern name, is dominated by the image of a medieval helmet set at the top of the handle. The remainder of the design incorporates a dense array of high relief, scrolling acanthus leaves.

The bowl on this is the fancier of two that Whiting used for this line. It has a scalloped rim and raised, leafy ...

Offered in both sterling silver and silver plate, Harlequin was a floral series issued by Reed & Barton and generally made in a variety of generally smaller items.

These seven, 4" long, 2.35 T. oz. the group, coffee or demitasse spoons are early pieces marked with the company's "eagle, R, lion" (later items are stamped "Reed & Barton") along with "Sterling."

Cast rather than die struck, they are highly textured, possess intricate detail, and show a soft gray finish on the silver. Th...

Note: while the above image shows six of these forks, this listing is actually for eight identical, all original, pieces.

Made by Frank Whiting, this set of forks is marked with the company's "W in a circle" emblem, "Sterling," and the number "2" on the backsides.

Measuring 5 3/4" long each and weighing 4.0 T. oz. the group, they are oyster, shrimp, or seafood cocktail forks.

Each piece has three tines, one of which is hooked, all joined to cupped heels with subtly notched should...

Modestly sized at 1 3/4" diameter, 1 3/8" wide, and weighing just over .5 T. oz., this napkin ring could have been part of a child's set (along with a mug, plate, and/or porringer for example), although not necessarily.

It has a three lobed body, the top and bottom ones of which are embossed in an Ivy and Vine pattern.

Again, this naturalistic portraiture is pastoral, almost naive, in its theme and could suggest the innocence of a child.

The interior is finished in a bright gold ...