Catalog: Silver: Sterling

Henry Hebbard was a New York City silversmith who generated a number of well-known silver patterns that were subsequently continued in production by George Shiebler and Whiting.

He was in a short-lived partnership with George E. Moore in the mid 1860s, and that is the source of these six, matching, 6" long each, 3.34 T. oz. the group, teaspoons marked "H & M," as well as "Culbert & Bros" for the New York City jeweler...

Designed by Antoine Heller, renowned for his Beaux Arts figural patterns such as Versailles, Fontainebleau and Mythologique, equally commanding St. Cloud is by contrast non-figural.

Its leaf and anthemion subject, with tight, circular, elements reminiscent of fern fronds suggests Aesthetic influences, which is in keeping with its 1885 date of introduction.

This item is a 6" long, just under 1.0 T. oz. (30 grams), ice cream spoon...

Issued in 1900, Alvin's Majestic is a multi floral pattern that features one of eight different flowers on each piece.

This example is the larger of two sizes of sugar tongs available in the line. It measures 5" long and weighs a robust 1.3 T. oz.

The flower is iris, which appears at the top and mid portions of the handle, and impressively, on the talon form grips...

This 6 3/8" long, just over 1.0 T. oz. (32 grams), sugar spoon was hand made by Old Newbury Crafters, whose "ONC" mark and the word "Sterling" appear on the backside. It likely dates prior to 1955, the time when ONC began the practice of including individual craftsmen's symbols alongside other identifiers.

The pattern is Panel Antique or possibly the similar Moulton...

Measuring 4 7/8" long and weighing just under 1.0 T. oz., this sardine fork has a 2 1/2" by 1 1/2", seven tine serving end with a pierced heel.

The pattern is Nuremburg, issued by Alvin in 1903.

The design incorporates the face of a horned, devil-like, figure masked in the detail of the overall pattern. This image is presumably meant to suggest the grotesque medieval gargoyles for which the German city of Nuremberg in known...

A stand out Renaissance Revival design, Gorham's Raphael dates from 1874.

It features a dense arabesque background surrounding a central bird with upraised wings. There is a shield-shaped reserve area, which in this instance is engraved with an Old English "H" monogram.

This example is a lengthy, 9 5/16", and weighty at 3.34 T. oz., berry or other serving spoon, such as casserole in contemporary usage or a rice spoon in Southern custom...

A choice period piece dating from the third quarter of the 19th century, this item is marked "English Sterling," along with model number "404."

Although without any other identifier, "English Sterling" was a short-lived term generally only used by makers John Wendt and William Gale, both New York City, and often appears on pieces retailed by Ball, Black & Co., also New York City.

A solid silver master salt dish, this is cauldron shaped, with a bowl that measures 2 1/8" across...

Gorham issued a little known, often unrecognized and often unmarked, design named Imperial in coin silver in the 1850s and then re-employed the name for a different pattern in 1891, as found on this listing.

The later design incorporates a double lined border handle with a knob top. The central portion of the handle has a raised feature that appears to be, appropriate to the line name, a fleur de lis or the feathers in the Prince of Wales's badge...

Solid silver, this child's dish measures 4 1/4" across, stands 1 5/8" high and weighs 2.6 T. oz.

Marked on the underside "International" alongside the "C in a crescent" emblem of the Watrous division of that company, and "Sterling," it is identified as a model number "608/1" child's bowl with a likely early 20th century date.

Well-made, it has a sturdy applied upper rim, a rounded lower edge, and a flat bottom with a brushed finish on the underside...

Around the turn of the 20th century, Gorham produced an array of specialty silver stand alone items grouped together in what is known as H series pieces.

This 5 1/8" long, .45 T. oz., is model number "H239" from that series.

A lemon fork, it has the requisite three, narrow and splayed, tines that define its function.

Evidencing the precision of finish and substance of H series items, it has an open work handle that is reminiscent of the Chippendale style, rendered i...

Issued in 1910, Buckingham bears a strong resemblance to Gorham's companion and immensely successful Chantilly line that was introduced fifteen years earlier.

It could be argued the two patterns are variants of the same design, with the former incorporating English style detail and the latter French, as intimated by their respective names. Buckingham is also more robust, i.e. generally heavier weight, than Chantilly, and often has more elaborated serving ends.

T...

Nearly square at 8" x 7 5/8", 1 1/2" deep, and weighing 7.0 T. oz., this solid silver piece is an open vegetable or other serving bowl.

It is marked on the underside with the crossed "stakes" or "swords" of "Fenniman & Co.," which was a short-lived, early 20th century, New York City silver manufacturer.

Other marks include "Sterling" and model number "368."

It has a 1" wide, scalloped and undulating, rim, and fluted walls. The base is slightly convex and is engraved with a lined script ...

Made by Reed & Barton, whose "eagle R lion" mark is imprinted on the underside, along with "Sterling," and model number "N 583," this box measures 3 1/2" in diameter and stands 2" high.

It is fitted with an original, removable, cardboard liner that has a cloth base and purple "velvet" interior. The silver apart from this weighs 4.0 T. oz.

The bottom is flat and the walls are entirely smooth and straight sided, while the top is faintly domed and is acid etched in an intricate floral and ...

Measuring 5 3/4" long each, and weighing 4.6 T. oz. the group, these solid silver oyster aka shrimp or seafood cocktail forks are all stamped with Gorham's "anchor, lion, G" emblem and "Sterling."

The pattern is Antique, issued in 1875. Akin to Old English, it has a rounded end with a tipt backside attached to a narrow shank.

There are three tines on each of these pieces, the lower one of which is hooked and wider than the other two.

In choice estate condition and never mo...

Standing 1 3/4" tall and 1 3/4" in diameter, this 1.3 T. oz., sterling silver napkin ring is a relatively large item.

It is marked "S 135" on the interior, which designator is thought to have been used by Wood & Hughes, New York City.

Dating circa 1880, it has a flat walled body with top and bottom rims. These are bordered by a repeating design that is in the manner of a Vitruvian scroll.

Apropos of its period, the sides are engraved in an Aesthetic design that features ferns or ...

One of the last American companies to produce fully hand worked silver, "Old Newbury Crafters" items show the skill of the individual maker in every piece.

That is the case with this 8 1/2" long, 2.6 T. oz., solid silver, serving serving spoon in the company's 1939 Oak Leaf pattern.

Modernist/Deco in style, the handle has straight, tapered edges, with a tip that is surmounted by a representational oak leaf flanked by what are presumably two acorns.

The front of the ...

A not readily found pattern, Frank Smith's 1912 George VI aka Ridgefield is, appropriately, a regal looking design that features a variety of raised acanthus leaves and scrolls set on a shaped handle with double lined margins.

The handle backside is less elaborate than the front, but still quite detailed.

This example is a 7 5/8" long, 1.77 T. oz., cold meat fork.

The serving end has four, slender and splayed, tines with scrolled bases, all joined to a deep, ...

Massively scaled, this serving piece measures 10 3/4" long and weighs 4.4 T. oz.

Shovel form, it has a blade that is 4 1/2" long and 3 5/8" wide at the splayed end.

This has notched shoulders, wide flanged edges, and a central raised groove in the base.

The surface is extensively engraved in a leaf and flower motif with wriggle work on the flanged edges.

The handle is Old English with a rounded end and tipt backside. The front is bright cut engraved in a design ...