Hotchkiss & Schreuder 'Longfellow' Sterling Fried Oyster or Egg Server

Stamped "Sterling" and with the "H&S" emblem of Hotchkiss & Schreuder, Syracuse NY, and retailed by "Austin & Prescott," Batavia NY, this piece measures 8 3/4" long and weighs 1.7 T. oz.

The pattern is Longfellow, which clearly follows after the Moorish and Egyptian Revival trends popular in its 1870s period.

It features a repeating series of palm fronds, palmettes, rosettes and ivy leaves along a shaped handle with a pyramid end.

There is a central reserve area on the handle front which in this instance has never been monogrammed or inscribed.

It has a nearly flat, slightly elongated, rounded blade with a central groove off the handle and raised shoulders and sides. The bottom of the blade is finely bright cut engraved in a design that echoes the pattern on the handle.

The form is unusual and the piece is likely a period fried egg or fried oyster server.

In very fine condition, this evidences scant wear, most notably fine surface scratches on the blade consistent with age. There are no bends, tears, or burrs and the finish is bright.