Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Metals: Silver (237)

Handsome pair of sterling silver ice tongs in the "John Winthrop" pattern by International Silver Co. This is one of the classic American Colonial patterns developed during the early 20th century when people were first beginning to be interested in American antiques. Curiously, the simple design was also a perfect match for the upcoming Art Deco styles of the 20s and 30s. Ice tongs were an uncommon serving piece and are very difficult to find today. The tongs are marked with International's older hallmark.

Origin: America, ca 1911. Condition: excellent, no dings, period "S" monogram. Size: 6-3/4" long. Weight: 63.0 grams.

A set of eight sterling silver fruit spoons in Gorham’s elegant 1910 “Buckingham” pattern. The handle is bordered by a series of intertwined scrolls before terminating in an acanthus leaf motif. The backs of the handles have decoration mirroring the fronts. The pattern is extremely similar to “Chantilly” and could easily be used with a Chantilly service. The backs are marked with Gorham’s early 20th century hallmarks.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monograms. Size: 5-25/32” long. Weight: 251.0 grams.

A gorgeous sterling silver cream ladle rare on two counts. First, Fessenden’s 1910 “Tulip” pattern is very uncommon. Secondly, while spoons were often engraved as souvenir pieces, serving pieces were hardly ever given this treatment. This is the only souvenir cream ladle we’ve seen. The matte gilt bowl is engraved with a very detailed representation of the U.S. Capitol Building underscored by “Washington DC”. The back is hallmarked by Fessenden & Co.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram, original gilding. Size: 4-5/8” long. Weight: 16.0 grams.

Wonderful figural sterling silver child's spoon especially for Easter. The handle is decorated with two chicks recently hatched from their eggs above the word "Easter" and an Easter lily. Interestingly, the teardrop shape of the bowl is that used in Victorian times for egg spoons. The back is marked by Durgin and also by D. Low of Salem, MA (maker of the famous Salem Witch spoon). Circa 1890. 4.5" long. Excellent condition, including intact gilding on the interiors of the cracked eggs.

A very pretty early 20th century French silver tastevin in the style typical of Dijon in the Burgundy region of France. This style retains the usual convex base surrounded by a wreath of “perles”, but the gadrooning (“godrons”) along the side have been replaced with a decoration of very finely worked grape leaves and clusters of fruit. The handle, also in typical Burgundian style, represents two snakes with the heads of ducks grasping the forbidden apple between their beaks. Although the maker’s mark on the bottom is illegible, the quality of workmanship suggests that this tastevin may be have been made by Orfevres Parrod, one of the most important silversmiths in the region and a house particularly noted for its tastevins.

Origin: France, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings. Size: 2-5/16” diameter (excluding handle) x 13/16”. Weight: 33.4 grams.

Eight sterling silver dessert or salad forks in Manchester's lovely 1910 "Southern Rose" pattern. The repousse decoration is similar to Kirk's "Repousse" and Stieff's "Rose".

Origin: America, circa 1910. Condition: excellent, no monograms. Size: 5-7/8" long.

A wonderful sterling silver soup ladle in Reed & Barton’s famous 1907 “Francis I” pattern. This is one of the most desirable late Victorian American flatware designs. This ladle is from the original series and is hallmarked with Reed & Barton’s old hallmark and the design patent date.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, very sharp details, light surface scratches in bowl from normal use, no monogram, no dings. Size: 12-1/4” long. Weight: 243.0 grams.

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.

An elegant two-piece English sterling silver serving set. The set is presented in its original fitted box lined with gorgeous royal purple silk and velvet. The spade-like utensil is similar to a typical Victorian tomato server, while the fork is shaped like a tablespoon, but with tines. The set is very versatile and could be used for many contemporary foods. The handles are decorated with a simple fiddle-shaped pattern that must have been very modern following on the heels of Victorian excess. The backs are fully hallmarked for London, 1913-14, and also have an unidentified maker’s mark “GJ over DF” in a shield-shaped punch.

Origin: England, 1913-14. Condition: near mint, no dings or deep scratches, no monograms. Size: 7-1/2” long. Weight: 101.0 grams.

An elegant sterling silver tea strainer completely covered in translucent bas-taille enamel. The octagonal bowl of the strainer and the handle are outlined in a delicate trailing pattern of pink roses with green foliage, tied with a pink ribbon at the tip of the handle, all against a pale blue background. The quality of the enameled decoration is superb, as would be expected of any item retailed by Tiffany in this period. The back is marked “Sterling” and “Made for Tiffany & Co.”. Tiffany often retailed silver by other major makers such as Gorham and Whiting. The back of the handle bears a period monogram “DW”.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage. Size: 4” x 2-1/4”. Weight: 47.5 grams.

Sterling silver lettuce fork in International's 1907 "Margaret" pattern. Originally intended to serve iceberg lettufe (a luxurious rarity at the time), the fork could be used for many other foods today. The reverse is marked with International's old hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1907. Condition: excellent, period "F" monogram. Size: 8-3/4" long.

Gorgeous sterling silver pickle fork in a lovely Art Nouveau pattern featuring wild roses trailing assymetrically down the handle. The design continues onto the back of the fork, as well. The elegance of the detailing is simply stunning even the thorns are visible. Excellent condition; no monogram. The reverse is marked "Sterling/Pat. 1903" and has the maker's mark for the Baird-North Co. of Salem, MA. Excellent condition, no monogram. 5-13/16" long.

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

Sterling silver sauce ladle in Watson's 1911 "John Adams" pattern. The complete simplicity of the pattern is reminiscent of Colonial American silver, and it would look good mixed with any other pattern. Sauce ladles are a bit smaller than gravy ladles.

Origin: America, circa 1911. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-3/4" long.

Elegant crystal trivet with a sterling silver overlay in an orchid pattern. The piercing of the silver is highlighted with engraved details. The center has a silver reserve that was never monogrammed. The side is hallmarked by Webster Silver Co.

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 6” diameter.

NOTE: We have four matching trivets in this size. One of the four has an elegant monogram "K". Each is priced at $185, except the monogramed trivet, which is $160.

Large sterling silver berry spoon in Blackinton's 1900 "Nautilus" pattern. The handle is elegantly decorated with scrolls and shells, and nicely complements the lobed bowl. The reverse is marked with Blackinton's hallmark.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 8-1/2" long.

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

Elegant crystal trivet with a sterling silver overlay in an orchid pattern. The piercing of the silver is highlighted with engraved details. The center has a silver reserve that was never monogrammed. The side is hallmarked by Webster Silver Co. This trivet is in the harder to find large size.

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8” diameter.