Kensington House Antiques and Sterling Silver Kensington House
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All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1910 item #1364435
Kensington House Antiques
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A classic sterling silver wine coaster with a turned mahogany base. The walls are simply decorated with vertical piercing and the front is engraved with the crest and motto of Scotland's Melville clan, an ancient family from whom author Herman Melville was descended. Tested and guaranteed sterling silver.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: very good, a few small dings to the underside of the bottom edge. Dimensions: 5" diameter; 1-1/2" tall.

All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1900 item #1393850
Kensington House Antiques
$1,350.00
A gorgeous boxed set of 12 sterling silver demitasse spoons in the “Wild Rose” variation of the “Vine” pattern. The spoons have gilt bowls in the elongated shape often seen in Tiffany demitasse spoons. The bowls enhanced with soft matte gilding. Each is stamped with the Tiffany mark used 1873-1891. The spoons are presented in their original fitted box lined in “Tiffany blue” silk and embossed with the company’s logo. The box includes Tiffany’s original Paris location, dating it to the period 1878-1910

The “Vine” pattern was most likely created by Edward C. Moore, Tiffany’s chief designer, and was introduced in 1872. The design included a variety of floral and vegetable elements including wild roses tomatoes, gourds, irises, wheat sheaves, etc. They with different appearances, the designs were intended to be used together—a reference to the Japanese decorative concept of mismatching that became popular in Europe and America after Japan was opened to trade in the 1850s. Few pieces in the pattern were made after the mid-1880s.

Origin: America, ca 1880. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, gilding intact; box's hinge side has been reinforced with archival bookbinding tape. Dimensions: spoons, 4” long. Weight: 132.8 grams.

All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Bronze : Pre 1900 item #1395639
Kensington House Antiques
$1,695.00
A very fine pair of cast and engraved Louis XVI style bronze dore candlesticks. The round bases are decorated with beading and an ornate wreath of acanthus leaves. The pillars are fluted and broaden slightly before reaching the upper knop, also with acanthus leaf decoration. The sockets are likewise decorated. The original gilding is largely in place.

Origin: France, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no cracks. Size: 9-1/2" tall.

All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1900 item #1396354
Kensington House Antiques
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A classic 19th century 2nd standard (800/1000 pure silver) tastevin, inset at the base with a 1669 coin bearing the likeness of King Louis XIV surrounded by "Louis XIV by grace of God King of France and Navarre." The obverse of the coin can be seen from the bottom of the tastevin. The coin is surrounded by the typical pattern of "perles" and elongated "godrons" designed to create reflections in the wine to better judge its color and clarity. The handle is formed as a pair of intertwined snakes grasping an apple in their mouths as an allusion to the Garden of Eden. The tastevin is stamped with French silver marks and with an illegible maker's mark.
  • Origin: France, ca 1840.
  • Conditions: very good; a slight flattening to the rim opposite the handle; coin has significant wear as expected of a 350 year-old coin.
  • Dimensions: 3-3/8 xx 4-1/4" x 7/8".
  • Weight: 95.0 grams.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1920 item #1401383
Kensington House Antiques
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A superb Rococo-style first standard (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin by the master silversmith Marc Parrod. This large example retains the round shape of a traditional tastevin but replaces the usual bowl decoration with ornate bunches of grapes tied with ribbon bows and a remarkable handle treatment illustrating a young couple stomping grapes while holding hands. Parrod created excellent classic Burgundian tastevins, but his fantasy pieces stand apart from all the other Dijon masters. The tastevin is stamped with Parrod's master's mark as well as 1st standard silver marks from the Beaune assay office. That office closed in 1914, so we know that this example is from the earlier part of Parrod's career.
  • Origin: Dijon, France, ca 1903-14.
  • Condition: excellent; all original; one tiny ding on the top edge of the bowl.
  • Dimensions: 3-3/4" x 4-15/16" x 1-5/8".
  • Weight: 122.8 grams.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1900 item #1401724
Kensington House Antiques
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A classic 19th century French second standard (800/1000 pure silver) silver tastevin of traditional form and the bottom inset with a silver coin from the reign of Louis XV. The sides of the tastevin are decorated with the traditional raised “perles,” recessed “cupules,” and elongated “godrons” for assessing the depth of color and concentration of a wine. The coin, dating to 1732, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the Latin inscription “Louis XV, by grace of God, king of France and Navarre.” The taster is completed with an especially fine double-snake handle. While double snakes are the traditional handle form for Burundian tastevins, the pretzel-like shape and the realistic appearance of the entwined snakes is a most unusual treatment. The handle and bowl are stamped with French 2nd standard silver hallmarks and the bowl also has an unidentified master silversmith's mark.
  • Origin: France, ca. 1880.
  • Condition: very good; a small ding to one side of the bowl; typical wear to the front of the coin; reverse side of the coin has sharp detail.
  • Dimensions: 2-13/16” x 3-5/8” x 3/4".
  • Weight: 56.4 grams.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1910 item #1402464
Kensington House Antiques
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A wonderful boxed set of six 800 silver Jugendstil (“Art Nouveau”) demitasse or chocolate spoons, each featuring a scene from different Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The tales include “Bremen Town Musicians”, “The Frog Prince”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Hansel & Gretel”, “Sleeping Beauty”, and “Puss in Boots”. Bruckmann, one of the most important Imperial German silversmiths of the Jugendstil period, worked with many leading designers. In this case, the designer was Hugo Cauer who created the “Märchen” (“Fairy Tales”) line in 1903/04. Bruckmann and Cauer were responsible for the most important silver pieces entered into Germany’s display at the 1900 World Exposition in Paris. The “Fairy Tale” design occasionally appears on children’s table ware such as napkin rings or drinking cups, so it’s possible the spoons were intended to do double duty as chocolate spoons, as well. The spoons are presented in their original fitted box marked with the logo of the luxury jeweler Oscar Stodt. The back of each is stamped with Stodt’s retailer’s mark, as well as Bruckmann’s maker’s mark and appropriate hallmarks for 800 silver.
  • Origin: Germany, ca. 1904.
  • Condition: excellent, original gilding intact.
  • Dimensions: spoons, 3-3/4” long.
  • Weight: 55.6 grams.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1900 item #1405377
Kensington House Antiques
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A superb late 19th century first standard (950/1000 pure) silver berry spoon with a shell-form gilt bowl. These spoons were originally intended for serving strawberries. The front of the handle is decorated with a twisting wreath of holly leaves and berries, and the back with a similar wreath of thistles. The bowl is beautifully worked in the shape of a scallop shell. Improvements in agriculture and railways made strawberries widely available to the wealthy classes in the 1870s. Special implements such as this were needed to compete the experience. Today, it could be used for any sort of desert or even hors d’oeuvres. The spoon is stamped with French silver marks and with an illegible maker’s mark. The quality of workmanship is easily on par with the great makers such as Odiot and Puiforcat.
  • Origin: France, ca. 1880.
  • Dimensions: 8-3/4” long.
  • Condition: mint; gilding completely intact.
  • Weight: 99.5 grams.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1920 item #1405750
Kensington House Antiques
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A rare and elegant boxed set of six sterling silver citrus spoons in Paye & Baker's "Orange" pattern. The handles are decorated front and back with oranges, orange blossoms and foliage. Paye & Baker primarily made souvenir spoons, and this particular pattern was usually associated with Los Angeles, considered a very exotic location at the beginning of the 20th century. These spoons are the only set we've seen made as citrus spoons. The sharply-pointed deep bowls retain their original matte gilding. Each spoon is fully hallmarked.
  • Origin: America, ca. 1900.
  • Dimensions: spoons, 5 1/2" long.
  • Weight: 158.4 grams.
  • Condition: excellent; gilding intact; box has considerable age-appropriate wear and discoloration.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1900 item #1405867
Kensington House Antiques
$450.00
An uncommon silver tastevin, the bottom inset with a Mexican silver coin featuring the likeness of King Ferdinand VII of Spain, the last Spanish emperor to rule over Mexico. The coin is dated 1821, the year Mexico became independent of Spain. The tastevin is constructed in classic French style, with a coiled snake handle, but it lacks the embellishments usually seen on French examples. The bowl is simply decorated with a hammered surface. The tastevin probably dates to the reign of the Emperor Maximilian, who ruled Mexico’s Second Empire (1864-67). Maximilian was established as emperor by the French Emperor Napoleon III, and French decorative arts became very popular among the wealthy of Mexican society.
  • Origin: Mexico, ca. 1864.
  • Condition: excellent.
  • Dimensions: 9 x 11.5 cm (3-9/16 x 4-9/16 in).
  • Weight: 112.0 grams.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1920 item #1406216
Kensington House Antiques
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An elegant classic-style French silver tastevin of traditional form. The bowl is decorated with raised "perles", concave "cupules" and elongated "godrons" for assessing the depth of color in both red and white wines. The curved sides help concentrate the aroma, so only a very small amount of wine has to be poured to judge quality. The looped handle allows the tastevin to be worn suspended from a chain. Tastevins with round thumbpieces are generally from the Paris region. The handle is marked for first standard silver (950/1000 pure silver) and also has partially obscured master silversmith's mark.
  • Origin: France, ca. 1900.
  • Dimensions: 2 11/16" diameter (excluding handle).
  • Weight: 37.0 grams.
  • Excellent condition; two small dings on bottom, mostly hidden by the design and two very small (1/16") dings on the upper rim.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1910 item #1406217
Kensington House Antiques
$295.00
A boxed set of sterling silver demitasse spoons by Paye & Baker. The set comprises two each of three different floral themes, all worked in the same intaglio style with glossy flowers and foliage against a stippled background. Two of the spoons are decorated with a pattern of wild roses, two with morning glories and two with pansies. The edges of the stems and handles are shaped to match the patterns. The bowls are finished with matte gilding. The backs are hallmarked by Paye & Baker and are marked "Sterling". The company made only a small range of products, but their Art Nouveau motifs were expertly designed.
  • Origin: America, ca. 1900.
  • Dimensions: 4" long.
  • Weight: 38.8 grams.
  • Condition: spoons, excellent condition, typical light fading of gilding on bowls; box has typical discoloration and wear.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Plate : Pre 1900 item #1406367
Kensington House Antiques
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A very nice small-size silver plate wine taster in the classical style. The bottom features the typical convex bottom surrounded by concave "godrons" adn "cupules." intended to create high and low spots to better appreciate the color of the wine as light is reflected through it. The open shape also allows the bouquet to develop quickly so the wine can be tested easily. The snake handle is generally seen on tastevins from the region of Bourgogne. The tastevin bears an unidentified maker’s mark.
  • Origin: France, ca. 1890.
  • Dimensions: 2 1/4" diameter excluding handle.
  • Condition: excellent, no dings, sharp detail.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1900 item #1412574
Kensington House Antiques
$395.00
A lovely set of twelve sterling silver demitasse spoons presented in their original fitted velvet and silk box. The design features a scroll of acanthus leaves along the stem with an asymmetrical shell at the handle. The backs are stamped “Sterling” (prior to 1915), American silver was not required to bear a maker’s mark. The pattern is nearly identical to Knowles’ “King” pattern. The spoons are presented in their original velvet and silk fitted box from Hamilton & Diesinger of Philadelphia (1895-1900).
  • Origin: America, ca. 1895
  • Condition: spoons are excellent except one which has a tiny ding right at the tip of the bowl; sharp detail; no monogram; box is functional, but has significant wear. One of the 2 latches is broken at the top of the latch.
  • Dimensions: spoons, 3-7/16” long
  • Weight: 77.2 grams
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1920 item #1434146
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A very good first standard (950/1000 pure) silver small-size tastevin by the highly regarded Dijon silversmith Marc Parrod. This example retains the classic round shape with a convex bottom, but the usual "godrons" and "cupules" gare replaced by repoussé grape clusters alternating with raised "perles". Each grape cluster is accented with stylized vines. Parrod was particularly noted for this unique variation. The handle is in a rather unusual shape slightly suggestive of the double snake handles sometimes found on tastevins from the Bourgogne region. These smaller tastevins are less common than the larger ones. Smaller tastevins from the Bordeaux region were often used for tasting Cognac, so perhaps the smaller Burgundian versions were used for some other spirit, as well as wine. The bottom and handle are stamped with first-standard silver marks and with Parrod's mark.
  • Origin: Dijon, France, ca. 1903-1944
  • Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms, sharp detail
  • Dimensions: 2-1/4” diameter (excluding handle)
  • Weight: 25.8 grams
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1920 item #1434147
Kensington House Antiques
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A very good first standard (950/1000 pure) silver small-size tastevin by the highly regarded Dijon silversmith Marc Parrod. This example retains the classic round shape with a convex bottom, but the usual "godrons" and "cupules" are replaced by repoussé grape clusters alternating with "cupules". Each grape cluster is accented with stylized vines. Parrod was particularly noted for this unique variation. The handle is in the traditional form of two snakes grasping an apple, alluding to the the Garden of Eden snake and reminding the drinker of temptation. These smaller tastevins are less common than the larger ones. Smaller tastevins from the Bordeaux region were often used for tasting Cognac, so perhaps the smaller Burgundian versions were used for some other spirit, as well as wine. The bottom and handle are stamped with first-standard silver marks and with Parrod's mark.
  • Origin: Dijon, France, ca. 1903-1944
  • Condition: excellent, no dings or monograms, sharp detail
  • Dimensions: 2-1/4” diameter (excluding handle)
  • Weight: 24.6 grams
    All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1900 item #1434148
    Kensington House Antiques
    $495.00
    A classic second standard (800/1000 pure) silver tastevin from the Loire Valley of France. The origins of tastevins can often be identified by the tastevin’s shape. In this case, the bowl is rather shallow and completely without decoration. The handle is formed in the shape of a thin, curvy snake, but is worked without extra decoration such as scales or details to the head. This example is rather early, as is evidenced by signs of hand hammering and the small lathe mark in the middle of the bowl. The bottom is stamped with the original owner’s name, P. Roux. These classic tastevins from the Loire Valley are charming for their simplicity. Stamped with French silver marks and an unidentified maker's mark.
    • Origin: Loire Valley, France, ca. 1840
    • Condition: excellent
    • Dimensions: 2-7/8” diameter (excluding handle)
    • Weight: 29.9 grams
    All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Continental : Pre 1837 VR item #1434451
    Kensington House Antiques
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    French Silver Louis XVIII Burgundian Style Wine Taster Tastevin An unusually heavy first standard (950/1000 pure silver) French tastevin decorated in the classic Burgundian style with punchwork grape clusters and a coiled snake handle. The grapevines are also accented with engraved flowers. The bottom has the center pinpoint found in tastevins from this period and is finished simply with a ring or shallow godrons around the edge to help reflect light through the wine. The snake is engraved with scales and has an unusual arrow-shaped tail. The rim is engraved “A. Chantal” for the original owner. The tastevin has the “tête medecin” mark for silver and the silversmith’s mark for Charles-Marie Guidée (Paris).
    • Origin: France, 1819-1838
    • Condition: very good, a few small flat areas from 200 years of use
    • Dimensions: 3-5/8” x 4-3/4” x 1-5/16”
    • Weight: 121.2 grams.