Catalog: Silver

The Baltimore Museum of Art volume Maryland Silver indicates George Webb (1812-90) was a second generation silversmith, although he trained under Hugh Gelston rather than his father, James Webb.

This source also notes that he "conducted his highly successful jewelry and silver shop under the name Webb & Co. on Baltimore and Light Streets with W.H. Sexton as a partner 1877-86."

As this 9" long, 2.2 T...

Measuring 8 1/8" long and weighing 1.8 T. oz., this coin silver item has a generously sized, 2 1/2" diameter, shell-shaped, pierced, bowl and "Reverse Tipt" handle.

Generally identified as a large sugar sifter, there is some argument to be made that pieces this scale from this period were actually early ice spoons.

In either case, it is a fine representation of what it is.

It is stamped "R...

A matched pair, each of these master salts measures 2 1/4" in diameter and stands 1 3/8" high, while the pair weigh 3.2 T. oz. combined.

They are English in origin and fully hallmarked for London, 1897-98, sterling, and WG/JL for William Gibson and John Langman (also operating as the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.).

Traditional in design, they are round, with heavily repoussed bodies, applied hatched rims, and stand on three lion's paw and shell legs...

An early example of a line issued in 1875, this 6" long, weighty at 1.5 T. oz., sauce ladle is marked "Pat. Appl. For," along with "Sterling" and Gorham's "lion, anchor, G" emblem.

The pattern, "Raphael," is Renaissance Revival in style, with a strongly Moorish influence.

Essentially non-figural, it does incorporate a bird with raised wings in the midpoint of the handle, just below the shield-shaped reserve area that is monogrammed "HWS" in Old English lettering...

A name of note among 19th century Philadelphia silver manufacturers, William Faber, later joined by his sons, produced items of high quality and lasting appeal.

This substantial sized gravy ladle, 7 1/2" long, 2.0 T. oz., with a 2 5/8" wide, 1" deep, oval bowl is a case in point.

It is distinguished by its extensive bright cut engraving that appears on a rounded end "Antique" handle, and additionally in the bowl with double vee shaped grooves and scalloped shoulders...

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...

Marked "Coin" and with the number "4," but without a maker's identifier, this particular 1860s "Medallion" pattern is illustrated in D. Albert Soeffing's benchmark Silver Medallion Flatware within a grouping that he classifies as "naive" or "primitive."

Soeffing shows a sugar sifter, while this is a 6 1/4" long, just over .8 T. oz., sardine fork...

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...

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.

The name...

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.

Lastly, ...

A replica of a style that has its origins in the pre-Georgian era (see Old Friends item 2971f), this pair of sugar nips carry hallmarks in two places for London, sterling silver, 1921, and maker HF, likely Harrison Fisher, which was a Sheffield based firm.

They measure 4 5/8" long, are 1 3/4" across at the handles when closed, and open to a span of 3 5/8" at the shell grips. Weight is .9 T. oz.

Each arm is cast solid silver with a round finger grip attached to arms that are a series of ...

Having a double Philadelphia provenance, this coin silver spoon is marked with James Watts' horse head emblem, and "George M. Bechtel" for the well-known retailer, 1850-60, later in partnership with George Eno.

It is a substantially sized piece at 9" long and weighing just under 1.5 T. oz.

Having a scalloped handle with an engraved surface, it reads as both characteristic for the period and for Philadelphia. The backside is plain save for the marks.

There is a handsome, feathered sc...

Stamped "H&S" in two circles joined by a diamond for Syracuse, New York's Hotchkiss & Schreuder, this 8 3/4" long, 1.7 T. oz., berry spoon dates from the 1860s.

It is a fine representation of the design sensibilities and manufacturing skills of the period.

The stem is twisted while the scalloped edged handle end is flat with a slightly upturned tip. The surface of this has an engine turned background complimented with bright cutting and a wriggle work border on the backside.

There i...

Slender and delicate, this piece measures 8 3/4" long and weighs just under 1.2 T. oz.

Marked only "Coin," without a maker's or retailer's identification, the rounded handle with notched tip essentially matches Gorham's early, 1865, "Italian" pattern, and the quality of manufacture suggests such a significant maker.

This is bordered by fine wriggle work engraving and has an elegant period "EC" feathered script monogram set in the center of the plain area of the surface.

The lower por...

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.

Unadorned save for feathered script "H" mo...

Marked "Patent 1861," "Beaded" is one of Gorham's earliest line patterns. It was produced for a considerable period of time and made in both coin and sterling silver. This example is marked "Coin," so dates no later than 1868, the year Gorham went to sterling.

It is a large, 9 1/4" long, approximately 2.5 T. oz. ice cream server.

It has an oval blade with two ribs in the interior, notched shoulders, a beveled edge, and a gold washed upper surface. This is shallowly concave and more o...