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

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.

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 gorgeous pair of Victorian sterling silver serving spoons, the handles and bowls amazingly decorated with repousse, chased and engraved designs. The handles are decorated with reserves of winged cherubs hanging garlands of flowers, the reserves surrounded by rococo shell motifs. The stems are decorated with floral garlands leading to the amazing decorative bowls, covered in repousse floral designs. The backs of the handles are as attractive as the fronts and are engraved with a very handsome three-letter monogram. The spoons are fully hallmarked for London, 1894, and bear a script maker’s mark “AB” or “AR”. These spoons are extremely heavy, and are of the absolutely finest quality being produced at the end of the 19th century.

Origin: England, 1894. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail. Size: 8-7/16” long. Weight: 164.0 grams.

Very rare sterling silver oyster ladle in Whiting's classic 1880 "Bead" pattern. The simplicity of the handle decoration is relieved by the ruffled edge of the bowl. It's simplicity enables the pattern to work with a wide range of other American Colonial-inspired patterns. The oyster ladle form is quite rare, as only the most complete silver services ever had such serving pieces. Hallmarked with Whiting's early hallmark and "Pat Appd For" (indicating an early date).

Origin: America, 1880. Condition: excellent, no monogram, sharp detail, a pinpoint ding in the bowl. Size: 10-1/2" long. Weight: 120.0 grams.

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.

Lovely sterling silver berry spoon dating from the reign of Queen Victoria. The gilt bowl is finely and elegantly decorated with a repousse pattern featuring grapes, pomegranates and apples. Both sides of the handle are decorated with bright-cut floral engraving. Clearly hallmarked for Birmingham, 1870 with the sovereign's head and the maker's mark "FE" in conjoined circles.

Origin: Birmingham, England. Condition: excellent; no monograms or removals. Size: 8-5/8" 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.

Superb sterling silver tongs in the "Kings" pattern. These are of the finest workmanship, exhibiting crisp detail on a very heavy blank. Fully hallmarked for London, 1842, with the Victoria head duty mark. The maker's mark is "WE" in conjoined circles.

Origin: London, England, 1842. Condition: virtually mint, period monogram "JJ". Size: 6".

Very rare sterling silver fish slice in the 1869 “Tiffany” pattern by Tiffany & Co. The pattern is characterized by a classical simplicity heightened with engraved strapwork in the Persian taste. The entire surface has an unusual matte finish. The pattern was modified slightly in later years and was called “Beekman”. The back is stamped “Tiffany & Co. Sterling Pat. 1869.”

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 12” long. Weight: 134.5 grams.

Heavy sterling silver serving spoon in Gorham’s wonderful 1888 “Versailles” pattern. This was a multi-motif pattern, meaning that each type of flatware in a service had a different handle design. This serving spoon shows a farmer in Classical dress carrying sheaves of wheat—quite a curious motif compared to the ornate scrolls and shell motifs that make us the rest of the design. The back of the handle is marked with Gorham’s older hallmark and also the mark for extra heavy weight—not often encountered, even in this high-end pattern.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: very good, no monograms, no dings or deep scratches, sharp detail, the bowl shows normal use but could easily be buffed. Size: 8-1/2” long. Weight: 80.25 grams.

Fabulous 19th century sterling silver christening cup by Whiting Manufacturing Company--one of the America's most sophisticated silver companies. The entire surface is covered with repousse decoration of roses, lilies, and philodendron leaves. A reserve, just opposite the handle, is engraved "Lily". Cups such as these were used as presentation gifts for babies when they were christened. Most often, they were given by the godparents. Obviously, this particular cup was chosen because of the link between the child's name and the design that incorporates lily blossoms! The bottom is stamped with Whiting's hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no dings, period engraved "Lily". Size: 2-7/8" tall. Weight: 90.0 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 lovely set of six sterling silver strawberry forks in Lunt’s 1893 “Navarre” pattern. This pattern was actually developed by A. F. Towle & Sons, which eventually was purchased by Lunt Silversmiths. The handles are beautifully decorated in an asymmetric pattern of volutes, acanthus leaves and flowers. The slightly splayed double tines retain their original matte gilding. The backs are marked with the A.F. Towle hallmark and the retailer’s mark “G. Frank”.

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, original gilding, no monograms. Size: 4-25/32” long. Weight: 52.0 grams.

Elegant Victorian sterling silver serving dish with intricate repousse and pierced sides. The sides are finished off with a cyma-curve border punctuated at compass points with baroque shell motifs. The bottom is fully hallmarked for London, 1891-92, and has the maker’s mark “WC”. The piece is quite heavy and is of the very good quality.

Origin: England, 1891-92. Condition: excellent, no dings, no monogram. Size: 9” x 6-1/2” x 1-3/8” high. Weight: 177.5 grams.

An elegant sterling silver olive serving spoon in an unnamed floral pattern by Baker Manchester Silver Co. This maker was especially known for their elegant silver serving pieces instead of full flatware services. The Art Nouveau style is evidenced by the trio of fully-opened roses that decorated the tip and center of the curving handle. The design is repeated in the scalloped and pierced bowl, and is shown in reverse on the back side of the spoon. The bowl retains its original matte gilding. The back is hallmarked by Baker Manchester.

Origin: America, ca. 1905. Condition: excellent, sharp details, original gilding, no monogram. Size: 6-1/2" long. Weight: 14.5 grams.

A superb Victorian Art Nouveau baby rattle, the handle carved from a large piece of mother-of-pearl and adorned on either side with a gorgeous Art Nouveau lady's head worked in sterling silver and finished with three silver bells. Although unsigned, the particulars of the design are very similar to a known Unger design. Marked "Sterling".

Origin: America, ca. 1895. Condition: excellent except for the bells which show considerable wear from a toothing child. Size: 4-1/2" long.

Outstanding sterling silver ice cream slice with the fabulous Art Nouveau "Poppy" pattern by Baker Manchester. Both the front and back are beautifully detailed. The blade is lightly matte gilt. During the Victorian era, ice cream was served in a loaf shape, and implements like this were used to slice off pieces for serving. The form often did "double duty" as a fish server. The back is stamped with the hallmark for the Baker Manchester Silver Co. (Providence, RI), a company famous for its ornate serving pieces.

Origin: America, circa 1900. Condition: excellent, sharp detail, no monogram. Size: 9" long. Weight: 54.75 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.