Wyer & Farley, Portland, Maine, Clean c. 1814 Coin Silver Teaspoons

As documented by Flynt & Fales in The Heritage Foundation Collection of Silver, Eleazer Wyer, born in Boston in 1786, learned goldsmithing from his father (of the same name), and his sister married silversmith Timothy Keith, so the trade was clearly a family tradition.

Eleazer relocated to Portland, Maine about 1806, and from 1814-18 was in partnership there with Charles Farley.

Four of these six, essentially matched, coffee or tea spoons are marked "Wyer & Farley" along with an "eagle," of a style that researcher John McGrew identifies as a "Yankee eagle," while two are unmarked.

The four measure 5 1/4" long each and weigh 1.5 T. oz. collectively. The two are 5" long and weigh .5 T. oz. combined.

The dates for Wyer & Farley are very narrow, and the design of these fully correlates with that 1814-18 period.

They have somewhat square ends, arched handles, plain drops on the bowls, and all of them are engraved with a feathered script "P" monogram.

In remarkably fine condition, these are without polishing wear or damage, and they show bring finishes. The bowls are free of dents, bends, or tip wear.

In sum, this is an appealing set of two century old items from a quality maker with regional interest.

See Maine History volume 24, number 3, Maine Silversmiths, article 2 (available online) for a comprehensive historical accounting of these two silversmiths.