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

A rare French silver (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin from the reign of Louis XVI. This classic example features a classic design of angled “godrons” (grooves) accented with raised “perles” (pearls). The lack of deeply recessed “cupules” suggests that this wine taster was specifically intended for use with white wines. The center of the bottom has the expected tiny lathe mark where the vessel was raised from a solid block of silver. The handle is formed as a coiled snake in the traditional manner. The edge is engraved with the name of the original owner, Monsieur Robert. The tastevin bears the charge and discharge marks for Paris (1789) and an illegible master’s mark.

• Origin: France, 1789
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 3-1/16” x 3-7/8”
• Weight: 72.9 grams

A Burgundian first standard (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin by acclaimed silversmith Marc Parrod. The style of this particular example is a bit of a departure from Parrod’s typical style. The handle is worked in the form of a snake, thought to represent the the snake from the Garden of Evil as a reminder that wine may lead to earthly temptation. But the bowl Parrod experimented with the decoration to the bowl. The elongated “godrons”, intended to help assess the color and clarity of wine, are pushed all the way up the sides of the bowl in a style more typical of the 18th century. A series of “perles” are arranged in a circle at the base of the “godrons.” Between the “godrons” Parrod has added repoussé decoration of grape clusters. And most interestingly, rather than a smooth surface, Parrod created a hammered texture that further enhances the wine’s color. The rim is engraved “Vernier Morey 1740.” The meaning of the engraving is unclear, but both names are familial names long associated with very good Burdundy wines. Obviously, the date was intended to represent the founding of a vineyard, a dynastic marriage, or some other major local history event. The rim is slightly out-of-round, but this is in the making where the engraving and maker’s marks were applied—a quirk that is not uncommon in French silver. The handle and body are stamped with the French first standard mark and Parrod’s master’s mark.

• Origin: France, ca. 1910
• Condition: very good, a small flattened area on the bottom edge under the handle visible when turned upside down
  • Dimensions: 3” x 4” x 1-1/4”
  • Weight: 88.6 grams

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.

Extremely rare sterling silver oyster ladle in the 1900 "Buttercup" pattern by Gorham. Oyster ladles are very difficult to find because they were only included with the most complete services. They were used to serve oyster stews. Today, they could also be used for soups or even for punch. The back of the handle is marked with Gorham's old hallmark and also with the patent date, indicating that this is an early example.

Origin: America, ca 1900. Condition: nearly mint, no monogram, no dings, sharp detail. Size: 10-3/4" long. Weight: 165.25 grams.

Very rare pair of sterling silver salad servers in the 1888 "Rococo" pattern by Dominick & Haff. This is one of the company's most desirable patterns. The pieces are quite simply, enormous! The handles are beautifully decorated with an ornate floral pattern that is repeated at the top of the bowl and tines. The backs of the handles are simply decorated with a vine motif along the edges. The bowl and tines retain their original gilding. The backs are marked with Dominick & Haff's hallmark and the patent date.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, all original, no monogram, gilding intact. Size: 11-1/2" long. Weight: 276.0 grams.

Very heavy sterling silver soup ladle in Gorham's elegant 1901 "Florentine" pattern. The handle is decorated with a satyr mask surrounded by vines, dolphins, clusters of fruit, acanthus leaves and various other classical decorative elements. The design spills from the handle onto the back rim of the bowl. The back of the handle has complementary decoration. Hallmarked by Gorham and with the patent date, indicating an earlier date of manufacture.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings, no monogram. Size: 12-1/2" long. Weight: 262.0 grams.

An exquisite set of four sterling silver blotter corners by M.C. Cone. Each corner is made up of a pair of leaves flanking a stylized dogwood blossom, all worked from sheet silver. The upper two corners have the initials “AB” worked into the design, indicating that these were commissioned for the original owner. The backs are signed “Cone Sterling”. M.C. Cone, listed as a metalworker in the 1906/07 edition of the “National Directory of Workers in the Artistic Crafts” worked in West Hartford, Connecticut, not far from where these blotter corners were found. The quality of both design and workmanship is of the very highest level.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, all original, no dings. Size: 2-3/4” x 2-3/4”. Weight: 158.5 grams.

A very fine 12-piece set of gilt silver and mother of pearl dessert, fruit or cheese knives presented in their original fitted box. The tapered mother of pearl handles are tipped with silver finials and ferules decorated in a Louis XVI-style ribbon and reed motif. Most similar sets have plated blades, but these are silver. The silver is gilt, a process that is decorative, but also serves to prevent corrosion from the salts in cheeses which were often served in France as a dessert course. The gilding has faded to a very nice, light lemony color. The interior lid of the velvet- and silk-lined box is marked by the maker, “J. Fayard/Fabricant Orfèvre Joaillier/St Etienne”.

Origin: France, ca. 1860. Condition: knives are excellent, no dings, no cracks, normal fading of the gilding; the box shows considerable wear and has a slightly warped lid. Size: 7-1/2” long.

A magnificent sterling silver claret spoon by Dominick & Haff. This example is strikingly decorated in a pattern representing three different varieties of chrystanthemums. The decoration appears to be loosely based on Dominick & Haff's "#10" pattern, though this is much more ornate. The area around the flowers is intricately pierced in the rococo style. The back bears Dominick & Haff's hallmark and the pattern number "32".

Claret spoons were produced for a short time at the end of the 19th century. Despite being named for the famous red wine, their function really had nothing to do with wine. Small fruits and berries, perhaps soaked in an alcohol or other liquid, were often served from tall, narrow pitchers of cut glass, porcelain or silver. The long claret spoon was used to remove from the fruit from the pitchers. Today, the spoon could be used to serve sangria as well as various desserts based on fresh fruit.

Origin: America, ca. 1980. Condition: nerly mint, period "BBS" monogram. Size: 17" long. Weight: 113.0 grams.

A very rare sterling silver chamber stick in a repousse floral pattern by Shiebler. The overall floral decoration depicts buds and full-blown rose blossoms against a background of leaves. Areas between the leaves are finished with a stippled texture. The knop of the candle socket and the bobeche are plain and make a nice contrast to the elaborate decoration. The thumbpiece is accented with a fan-shaped element that is suggestive of Shiebler’s more Aesthetic-style pieces. The bottom of the bobeche is stamped with Shiebler’s hallmark, the pattern number 1174, and the retailer’s mark “J. E. Caldwell & Co.”

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, a small rim ding and a couple of pinpoints on the bobeche. Size: 6” diameter; 3-1/2” tall. Weight: 211.0 grams.

An elegant sterling silver trumpet vase with an opaque glass liner by either Jenkins or Armiger for F. Bucher & Sons. This silver is ornately decorated wthroses, forget-me-nots, wild roses, chamomiles and daises against a stippled background. Bucher was a retailer who stamped wares with his own mark, even though they were actually made by Jenkins, Armiger, Schofield or other leading Baltimore silversmiths of the day. The treatment of the chamomile blossoms and the use of cyma scrolls in the narrow borders are distinctly similar to Jenkins’ work, but the use of ferns amongst the foliage is more often seen in Armiger’s. The liner is opaque white glass with a translucent pink border at the undulating, flaring rim, and appears to be original. The base is marked “F. Bucher & Sons. Sterling”.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Size: 10-3/8” tall. Silver Weight: 161.4 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.

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.

A beautiful enameled silver patch or pill box by Nicholai Alexeyev. The hinged box is fully covered with enamels worked in shades of opaque white, aqua, periwinkle and royal blue, accented with translucent red and green. The cover and bottom are worked in a stylized starburst pattern, while the sides feature floral banding flanked by traditional triangular and dotted patterns. Exposed areas of silver are stippled and lightly gilt. The interior is also gilt. The interior of the body and lid are marked with the Moscow city mark, the 88 standard, and the maker’s mark for Nicholai Alexeyev. The lid closes securely and can be used as a functional pill box, if desired.

Origin: Moscow, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage. Size: 2-1/8” diameter; 1” high. Weight: 53.0 grams.

Exquisite pierced sterling silver bride’s basket vase by Frank W. Smith. The basket flares out from a narrow base decorated with scrolling acanthus leaves. The sides are decorated with an intricate pierced motif and the upper border repeats the decoration at the foot. The handles is pierced and heavily decorated with scrolls and foliate designs that elaborate on the simpler foot and lip rims. The basket retains its original silverplate liner. Frank Smith was known for very high quality and superior materials. U.S. embassies used one of his flatware patterns for official diplomatic dinners. The bottom has Smith’s older hallmark, the retailer’s mark “Mermod & Jaccard” (St. Louis), “Sterling”, and the pattern number 2214.

Origin: America, 1892-1904. Condition: excellent, normal wear to plating of liner, no monogram. Size: 9-1/4” tall; 7-1/2” wide. Weight (without liner): 270.0 grams.

A classic George III sterling silver wine coaster, the bombe sides with egg and dart decoration and the rim with gadrooning. The decoration is finely crafted. The turned wood base is centered with a silver escutcheon bearing an unidentified coat of arms (dancetty with three swords points down) impaling that of Ashby (ermine chevron and three leopard’s heads) tied with a ribbon. The coaster is clearly stamped with hallmarks for London and the second George III duty mark (1786-1821). The maker’s mark is rubbed, but consists of two pairs of initials, the lower pair being “CB”. The year mark is also illegible. Stylistically, the coaster most likely dates to slightly before or during the early part of the Regency Period (1811-1921). The bottom retains its original green baize fabric.

Origin: England, ca. 1810. Condition: excellent, no dings or cracking. Size: 6-1/4” diameter; 1-3/4” high.

A phenomenal Victorian sterling silver soup ladle in Whiting’s “No. 26” pattern. The top of the handle features incredibly detailed peony foliage. The twist stem leads to the fluted and scalloped bowl. At the junction of the bowl and stem, a full-blown peony blossom is delicately engraved into the silver. The bowl is parcel gilt. “No. 26” is an extremely rare pattern. It is always very finely made and exceptionally heavy, even by Whiting’s standards. The pattern is a multi-motif design, so each piece has a slightly different, but related, decoration on the handle. The back of the handle is engraved with the original owner’s name. The back is also marked with Whiting’s old hallmark and the pattern number.

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, the original gilding is slightly faded. Size: 13” long. Weight: 210.0 grams.

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.

A superb pair of sterling silver footed baskets by Lambert & Co., one of the most highly-esteemed Victorian silversmiths in London (mentioned by Charles Dickens in his writings). The baskets are ornately pierced and rise on ornate scrolled foot collars. The rims are decorated classically with acanthus leaves and scrolls, but a hint of Art Noveau appears in tiny irises, chrysanthemums and forget-me-nots that are scattered along the rim. The swing handles are also pierced and heavily decorated with matching floral motifs. The baskets are ideal for small flower arrangements, nuts, candies, etc. These baskets are of the finest quality and are fully hallmarked for London, 1908-09, and with the maker’s mark for Lambert & Co. as well as the company’s retail shop at 12 Coventry St.

Origin: England, 1907-08. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings or monograms. Size: 5-1/2” diameter; 5-1/2” tall. Weight: 507.0 grams.

A beautiful sterling silver vase in the Art Nouveau taste by Shreve & Co. The sinuous trumpet form body is decorated with gorgeous applied silver iris blossoms and buds accented with engraved foliage. The body rises to a ruffled rim that mimics the curvy lines of the floral decoration. The foot is decorated at compass points with iris blossoms, their stems forming the rolled bottom edge. The bottom is hallmarked by Shreve & Co. with the post-1894 mark.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, no dings, no monograms. Size: 12-3/16” tall. Weight: 526.0 grams.

Set of 12 extraordinarily rare sterling silver lobster forks by Puiforcat. Both the handles and the blades are silver and are fully hallmarked with the 1st standard mark, the maker's mark and the town mark. The handles are simply decorated with acanthus leaves and beading. France, circa 1900. Excellent condition; no monogram. Size: 6-5/8" long.

Superb Georgian sterling silver swing-handle basket. The bottom of the basket is formed of a silver sheet stamped and pierced in an intricate grapevine motif. The sides, constructed of interwoven silver wire, rise from the base and are decorated with grape cluster appliqués. The rim suggests grape vines, as well. The swing handle is decorated at the top with another cluster of grapes and foliage. The whole is raised on acanthus leaf feet. The inside of the handle is hallmarked for Edinburgh, Scotland, 1795. The sovereign’s head duty mark is stamped, but there is no maker’s hallmark, suggesting perhaps that the basket was a commissioned piece. In its time, the basket would have been used for serving sweets or small fruits. The design was very fashionable the piece is well-executed, making it a choice piece of Scottish Georgian silver.

Origin: Scotland, 1795. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail, no dings, no monograms, all original. Size: 8-3/4” x 7-1/4” x 6-3/4” tall to top of handle. Weight: 398.0 grams.

A tour-de-force first standard (950/1000 pure silver) tastevin by silversmith Stanislas Pollet celebrating Napoleon’s great victory at the Battle of Wagram. The tastevin is inset with a Napoleonic silver medal surrounded by fleur-de-lis engraving. The outer edges are enhanced with ornate strapwork (a technique particularly mastered by Pollet) depicting fleur-de-lis and acanthus leaves. The entire design is set off with a pair of magnificently cast and engraved dolphins forming the handle.

Napoleon, never particularly known as a shrinking violet, enjoyed commissioning medals from the Paris Mint to celebrate his victories and various life landmarks. The front of the medal (showing from the top of the tastevin) depicts the river god of the Danube being forced by the Emperor to carry a wooden pontoon bridge laden with French cannons over the river towards the Imperial Austrian capital, Vienna. The Latin inscription translates as, “Danubius, indignant at the breach/Battle of Essling/May 22, 1809.” The reverse (showing from the bottom of the tastevin) depicts the French army marching across the bridge at Wagram, urged on by the goddess of Victory carrying a laurel wreath and pointing the way. The inscription translates as, “Again crossing at the same place/July 5, 1809.” The Battle of Essling was the first defeat of the French army under Napoleon’s direct control, but that fact is obscured by combining it with the Battle of Wagram, just forty-four days later. This latter battle was one of the emperor’s greatest victories and was the largest battle in European history up to that time. The medal was created at the Paris Mint by the medalist Nicolas-Guy-Antoine-Brenet under the supervision of Baron Dominique Vivant Denon, who was Napoleon’s artistic director and to whom the emperor entrusted the Louvre after turning it into a museum. A single copy of the medal was struck in gold for Napoleon’s personal collection. Silver medals were given as gifts to the emperor’s friends and diplomats and bronze versions were available to those of lower rank.

• Origin: France, 1899-1903
• Condition: excellent, sharp detail
• Dimensions: 3-1/2” x 4-5/8” x 1-1/4”
• Weight: 201.4 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 phenomenal and extremely rare George III sterling silver footed wine bottle or decanter coaster retaining its original ruby glass liner. Bottle or decanter coasters of the period are typically formed as simple round collars over turned wooden bases, perhaps enhanced with a bit of engraving or a border. This example is much finer than most others, with its ornately hand-sawn pierced gallery and undulating rim, the whole raised on tall volute feet with scrolled terminals and acanthus leaf capitals. Laurel wreath swags complete the design. The stand is finished with a blown ruby glass liner, precisely cut to fit the silver (it aligns with the silver only if placed exactly correctly). The pierced gallery has a small reserve that appears never to have been engraved. The silver is fully hallmarked for London, 1774-75. As was the practice, the hallmarks were applied before the decoration was complete, and when the piercing was performed, the maker's mark and duty mark were obliterated. Only the edges of those two punches are visible amongst the piercing.

Origin: England, 1774-75. Condition: excellent, all original, no repairs, a few tiny fleabites on the rim of the glass liner. Size: 5-3/8" diameter; 4-1/2" high. Silver Weight: 322.0 grams.

Exceedingly rare custom-made sterling silver golf trophy by Shreve & Company, California's premier 19th century silversmiths. The trophy, in the form of wine ewer or pitcher and displaying the sinuous curves of the Art Nouveau style, is fainly reminiscent of some of Gorham's Martélé pieces. The body is decorated with a superb applied design cast in the form of a laurel wreath woven with golf clubs. The quality is breathtaking. Notice that one club is a putter, and the other is an wood. The body is raised on an assymetrically lobed foot decorated with applied thistle blossoms and foliage--reminding the viewer of golf's Scottish heritage. The ewer is finished with an exagerated curving handle. The trophy was never engraved. The bottom is marked "Shreve & Co./San Francisco/Sterling". This is a simply phenomenal piece of earlier California silver and a phenomenal piece of silver trophy art.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, a 1/2" flat ding on one side (could be professionally removed). Size: 12-3/4" tall. Weight: 941.0 grams.

A pair of sterling silver berry spoons of the finest quality dating to the reign of George III. The quality of the repousse and bright cut decoration is beyond compare. The design of the bowl includes cherries, applies, pomegranates and foliage. The backs are clearly hallmarked for London, 1800 and for the maker Thomas Wallis. Excellent condition; no monograms or removals. 9" long.

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.

Lovely sterling silver cream or sauce ladle with a gilt, lobed bowl featuring a floral display. Designed by the Sterling Silver Manufacturing Company of Providence, RI, in 1908.

Origin: America, c. 1908. Condition: excellent, no monogram, gilding intact. Size: 5-3/4" long.

Sterling silver sugar spoon with very fine decoration of a peacock amidst trailing foliage. The bowl is parcel gilt and is decorated with bright-cut engraving. The reverse is marked "Sterling". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their name on flatware.

Origin: America, circa 1885. Condition: excellent, period monogram "B" on reverse side. Size: 5-5/8" long.

Very rare sterling silver individual berry spoon in Whiting's 1891 "Louis XV" pattern. This is a rare form and the unusual broad shape of the bowl matches that shape of the large berry serving spoons. The bowl is lightly gilt. The back is stamped with Whiting's hallmark, the patent date (indicating an older piece) and the retailer's mark "Jacquemin & Co."

Origin: America, circa 1890s. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 5" long.

Lovely sterling silver cream or sauce ladle in Towle's 1900 "Dubarry" pattern. The handle, decorated with a simple spray of roses at the tip, nicely complements the triangular gilt bowl. The reverse is marked with Towle's old mark and "925/1000".

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 4-15/16" long.

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.

A beautiful Victorian sterling silver souvenir spoon from Saratoga Springs, New York. The handle depicts a Native American Chief wearing a feathered war bonnet, his bust surrounded by ears of corn and foliage. The bowl has a design picturing a young Native American man drinking from the natural springs and bears the legend “High Rock Spring Saratoga”. The bowl retains its original gilt surface. The back of the spoon is decorated with a tomahawk, bow and quiver of arrows. The stem is marked sterling and has the hallmark for Howard (1878-1902).

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: near mint. Size: 4-3/16” long. Weight: 11.4 grams.

Lovely sterling silver bonbon spoon, the bowl with matte gilding, bright cut engraving, piercing and a scalloped edge. The back is marked "925 Sterling 1000/Pat. Apl'd For". Unknown American maker.

Origin: American, circa 1900. Condition: excellent; no monogram. Size: 5-1/8" long.

Sterling silver cream or sauce ladle with an Art Nouveau design of lilies. This form was used to ladle cream or other sauces for the desert course. They could also be used for main course sauces that did not require a full-sized gravy ladle. The reverse is marked "Sterling Pat. 1902". Before 1916, many American silversmiths did not mark their name on flatware. Unknown maker.

Origin: America, circa 1902. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 4-3/4" long.