Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Metals: Silver: Sterling (177)

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

A lovely set of twelve sterling silver demitasse spoons by Whiting. This pattern, probably referred to as “39”, was most likely only made as demitasse spoons. Whiting produced a number of patterns in the 1880s and 90s that were limited in this way. The handles, beautifully decorated with a pierced pattern of lilies of the valley, blend into corkscrew twist stems that connect to bowls enhanced with repousse decoration of chrysanthemums. Exactly what chrysanthemums and lilies of the valley have to do with each other is not clear, but the design certainly works from an aesthetic point of view! The bowls are highly polished, but the flowers on the handle have a matte surface that really highlights the floral details and adds to the realistic appearance. The backs are marked with Whiting’s earlier hallmark, the pattern number 39, and “Sterling”. The spoons are presented in their original fitted box covered in lilac velvet and silk.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no monograms. Size: 4-1/16” long. Weight: 115.0 grams.

Superb sterling silver powder box covered with beautiful floral repousse decoration. The design features a dense covering of daisies, chrysanthemums and roses surrounding a pair of rococo reserves framed with assymetrical scrolls. Neither of the reserves has ever been monogrammed. The decoration is really excellent and is of a quality that would rival the best of the repousse decorators. The interior retains the original gilding. The bottom is marked with Gorham’s late 19th century mark and has the date code for 1894. It is also marked with the pattern number “735”.

Origin: America, 1894. Condition: excellent, the concealed inside lip of the lid has some bends that are not at all visible when the lid is in place. Size: 4” diameter; 3-1/8” high. Weight: 145.5 grams.

Elegant sterling silver footed basket with flaring, reticulated sides and a hoop handle. The swirling pattern of the piercing echoes the basket's scalloped rim. The top of the handle has a reserve for a monogram, but was never monogramed. The bottom has Durgin's early hallmark and the retailer's mark "Hodson, Kennard & Co." Many of Durgin's earlier products were sold through such upscale Boston retailers.

Origin: America, circa 1890. Condition: excellent, no dings. Size: 5-1/4" x 4-1/4" x 7-3/4" high. Weight: 153.0 grams.

Gorgeous sterling silver soup ladle in the 1892 "Mazarin" pattern by Dominick & Haff. This ladle is in the large size. The handle is elegantly decorated with a gadrooned border that coordinates nicely with scrolled shoulders of the bowl. The back is hallmarked by Dominick & Haff and has the patent date.

Origin: America, ca. 1892. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 11-3/4". Weight: 176.5 grams.

An oustanding sterling silver centerpiece basket by Gorham. The sides and handle are decorated with extremely ornate bright-cut engraving in a swirling foliate pattern. The motif is repeated to great effect in the gilt feet that raise up the basket. The intersection of the handle and feet is finished with an applied classical lion mask. The surfaces are finished in an acid-finished matte texture. The reeded border and the feet are enhanced with matte gilding, while the interior is finished with highly polished gilding. The centerpiece is an excellent example of Gorham's work for an elite market in the years immediately following the Civil War. The bottom is stamped with Gorham's hallmark, the date mark for 1871, and with Gorham's retail location at Union Square in New York.

Origin: America, 1871. Condition: very good, the interior has some small dings and light wear to the gilding visible in raking light only when the centerpiece is empty. Weight: 737.0 grams. Size: 7-1/4" x 10-1/4" x 8-1/4" tall.

A lovely and unusual Victorian sterling silver jelly knife in Towle’s 1880 “No. 128” pattern. Also known as “No. 28”, this pattern is characterized by a twisted handle, accented with beautiful bright-cut engraving. The serving end is shaped in the form of a leaf and is matte-gilt to highlight the floral engraving. Originally intended to serve savory jellies, the piece could now be used for pastries. The back is hallmarked by Towle and has the pattern number.

Origin: America, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, original gilding intact, there may be a slight bend toward the tip of the serving end but it’s difficult to be certain because of the naturalistic form of the bowl. Size: 8-3/8” long. Weight: 45.0 grams.

Very fine ornate sterling silver server for either fish or ice cream. The handle is covered with a pattern of hibiscus flowers and swirling foliage. The floral element is echoed in the beautifully engraved floral pattern on the blade. The blade is finished off with a very ornate outline. Many American silversmiths did not mark their names until the early 20th century, and the back is marked only "Sterling."

Origin: America, ca. 1885. Condition: excellent, very sharp details, no monogram. Size: 11-3/8" long. Weight: 96.0 grams.

Spectacular and rare sterling silver souvenir spoon by Tiffany & Co. The spoon commemorates Commodore George Dewey's 1898 victory at the Battle of Manila during the Spanish-American War. The handle is decorated with a bust of Dewey encircled by a laurel wreath. The wreath is tied with a ribbon which cascades down the stem of the spoon and bears the words "Manila May 1st 1898". The stem is further decorated with seaweed, four stars signifying Dewey's rank, and an anchor. The reverse of the handle is decorated with the laurel wreath and ribbon encircling the coat of arms of the state of Vermont and has Dewey's birth year. The stem is marked "Tiffany & Co. Sterling". All in all, this is one of the most spectacular souvenir spoons by Tiffany we've ever seen!

Origin: America, 1898. Condition: normal light wear, period 3-letter monogram on reverse of handle. Size: 5-7/8".

Nice sterling silver sugar spoon in Whiting's classic 1880 "Bead" pattern. Whiting's designs are valued because of the small details such as the scalloped edges of the bowl. The reverse is marked with Whiting's old hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1880s. Condition: excellent, no monogram.

A very fine berry or casserole spoon in John R. Wendt's "Medallion" pattern. The handle features an oval reserve centered with a medallion profile of the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. The elongated bowl is beautifully scalloped. The back of the medallion has a period monogram "A" and the stem is marked with the retailer's mark for Ball, Black & Co. and with "925" for sterling. Wendt did not use his own hallmark in this period.

Origin: America, ca. 1965. Condition: excellent sharp detail. Size: 8-3/4" long. Weight: 63.0 grams.

A very good sterling silver wine bottle or decanter coaster by Gorham. The flared lip is heavily decorated with a floral scrolled border in the Rococo style. The repousse decoration is finely done. The bottom of the coaster is fully hallmarked with one of the older Gorham hallmarks, the design copyright date 1889, the pattern number 325 and the date symbol for 1891.

Origin: America, 1891. Condition: excellent, one pinpoint ding visible on very close inspection, no monogram. Size: 6-3/4" diameter. Weight: 135.6 grams.

A very handsome sterling silver gravy ladle in John R. Wendt’s “Medallion” pattern. Wendt’s version was one of the earliest designs to use classical profiles as the primary decorative element. The medallion, depicting the goddess Pallas Athena, is supported by a reeded stem that leads to the oval bowl with flared edges. The back is stamped with the retailer’s mark for D. H. Buell & Co., and with the “925” that is often found on early Wendt pieces.

Origin: America, ca. 1865. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram, no dings. Size: 7-3/8” long. Weight: 76.5 grams.

A wonderful sterling silver trout set in Towle's 1884 "Arlington" pattern. The handles are decorated in the repousse style with a profusion of roses and foliage. The decoration lends itself to being mixed with many of the repousse patterns from the Baltimore area. It is the blade of the trout knife, wonderfully decorated with an engraved trout leaping into the air after biting a lure (the entire casting rod in the background), that really sets these servers apart. Complete Victorian services included fish sets, but trout servers are extremely uncommon. They are a bit smaller than regular fish servers and have a slightly different shape. Towle, in particular, seems to have been fond of the form. The backs are stamped with Towle's hallmark and the retailer's mark "H. G. Shupp".

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, light surface wear, a small bend at the tip of the knife's upper lip. Size: fork, 8-1/8" long; knife, 10-1/4". Weight: 140.5 grams.

Elegant pair of large sterling silver salad servers in Frank Whiting’s 1893 “Tyrolean” pattern. This is one of the simpler Victorian designs and works nicely with a wide variety of other patterns. The pieces are quite heavy. The backs are marked with Whiting’s second hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: spoon, 9” long; fork, 9-3/16” long. Weight: 196.5 grams.

A beautiful sterling silver berry or casserole spoon in Whiting's desirable 1896 "Dresden" pattern. The handle is decorated on both sides with sprays of roses. The matte gilt bowl is scalloped and decorated with repousse beading and volutes. The spoon is stamped with Whiting's hallmark and has the patent date indicating an early date of manufacture.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, original gilding intact, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 8-3/4" long. Weight: 87.0 grams.

An elegant set of 12 sterling silver oyster forks in Dominick & Haff’s desirable 1880 “Kings” pattern. The handles are decorated in the Georgian style with scroll, acanthus and shell motifs. The backs are decorated to match the fronts. The tines are heavier than most cocktail/seafood forks. The backs are stamped with Dominick & Haff’s hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monograms. Size: 5-5/16” long. Weight: 231.0 grams.

A wonderful set of 10 sterling silver egg spoons in Tiffany’s rare 1872 “Vine” pattern in the “Wild Rose” variant. “Vine” was made in several variations, all of which depicted flowers and fruit that grown on vines. The elongated rounded bowls nicely complement the wavy handles decorated with sinuous wild rose vines. The backs are fully marked with Tiffany marks used 1875-91.

Origin: America, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail, no monograms. Size: 4-1/16” long. Weight: 107.5 grams.