In the Absence of an Assay System: How China, A Silver-Obsessed Nation, Managed Without One

Adrien von Ferscht and Dr. Huang Chao

In depth history on silver making in China with silver examples and backstamps.

Sterling Silver Luggage Tags: An Elegant Way to Recycle the Past

Toni Fraser

A collector shares her passion and examples of her silver luggage tag collection.

Mississippi Valley Silver Part 6 & 7: New Orleans

Maurice Meslans

In the sixth & seventh articles in this series, the author provides silver examples and marks for silversmiths in the Mississippi Valley.

A Set of Six Late Eighteenth-Century Forks Crafted in Stockholm by Pehr Zethelius

Rowland L. Matteson

Example of six forks and their marks by Swedish silversmith Pehr Zethelius.

A Spectacular Native American Souvenir Spoon: Captain Sum-Kin

Robert M. Wilhelm

Spoon and postcard examples of the Captain Sum-Kin souvenir spoon made by Mayer Bros.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Repurposing all of your silver for the holidays - a punch bowl for greenery, a pitcher for warm cider, and more.

Newell Harding and the N. Harding Companies

Ann Kinne

Historic information and detailed examples of silver and the various Newell Harding backstamps.

Out of the Shadows: St. Albans Missing 1918 Class Window

Mark Wilkerson

An interesting back story of the intense search for the 1918 class window of the St. Albans school.

Mississippi Valley Silver Part 5: Natchez to Louisiana

Maurice Meslans

In the fifth article in this series, the author provides silver examples and marks for silversmiths in the Mississippi Valley.

Beyond These Borders: A Pair of Sugar Tongs (Söckertang) by Anders Stafhell, 1793

Rowland L. Matteson

Example of a pair of sugar tongs and its marks by Scandinavian silversmith Anders Stafhel.

The Swanage Globe Souvenir Spoon: Icon of Imperialistic Geography

Michelle P. Wilhelm

It is a throwback article and is one of the author’s favorites, originally appearing in our November/December 2012 issue. A historical brief on Swanage as well as examples of the Swanage souvenir spoon.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Various ways to repurpose a master butter knife.

“Proof of Victory”: Tiffany’s Yorktown Centennial Cup

Nicholas Ciotola

Historic information and detailed examples of a trophy awarded to the New Jersey Provisional Battalion for its role at the Battle of Yorktown Centennial commemoration in 1881.

Silver Sirens: US Censorship and Nudity in Late-Victorian Silver

Patricia F. Singer

In the late 1800s, nudity was censored in many artistic forms except for silver. This article showcases many examples of such silver and its history.

Enos Reeves Silver 1753-1807 Part III: The Adventure

I.S.K. Reeves V

After ten years of searching, the author purchases three pieces of silver made by family silversmith Enos Reeves Silver at auction. His story is quite an adventure.

Beyond These Borders: Two Very Dissimilar Snaps Beakers from Scandinavia

Rowland L. Matteson

Examples of snaps beakers and their marks by Scandinavian silversmiths Erik Lemon and Carl Israel Rindell.

The Earliest Books on American Souvenir Spoons

Robert M. Wilhelm

With the introduction of the spoonmania craze in 1890, there were many catalogues and publications dedicated to souvenir spoons. The author showcases these publications and provides helpful resource books for your souvenir spoon library.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Repurposing a French silver cup as a vase.

Mississippi Valley Silver Part 3: The St. Louis Area and Part 4: The St. Louis Area to Natchez

Maurice Meslans

In the second two articles in this series, the author provides silver examples and marks for silversmiths in the Mississippi Valley.

Warsaw Silver Plate Companies. History and Marks: III. Bros. Buch

Joanna Paprocka-Gajek and David N. Nikogosyan

History of the Bros. Buch Silver Plate Company, examples of their work and varying backstamps.

The Mystery of the English Fork/Slice Servers

Dale E. Bennett

History and beautiful examples of English servers and descriptions of their marks.

Souvenir Spoons of the Colosseum

Robert M. Wilhelm

Spoon examples and detailed illustrations of Colosseum spoons and their marks.

Book Review

Dorothea Burstyn

Book review of Silver for Entertaining: The Ickworth Collection

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Repurposing a fish knife.

Mississippi Valley Silver Part 1: The Fur Trade & French Style and Part 2: The St. Louis Area

Maurice Meslans

In the first two articles in this series, the author provides silver examples and marks for silversmiths in the Mississippi Valley.

Goodbye to the Strawberry Fork: How Herbert Hoover Standardized American Silver Flatware

Patricia F. Singer

The history of how Herbert Hoover changed silver production manufacturing in 1926.

Bob’s Surahi

Chitra Balasubramaniam

The story of how Bob Slater, Editor of "Silver Magazine", ordered a silver surahi from India and the silversmith that made it.

Five Forks in the Fiddle Thread pattern from Brussels Bearing Extremely Clear Mark

Rowland L. Matteson

Historical information from Belgium silversmith Auguste Bonnevie, spoon examples, and his marks.

Kingston & Environs: First Capitol of New York State

Robert M. Wilhelm

Spoon examples and postcards illustrating the First Capitol of New York State and their marks.

Book Review

Dorothea Burstyn

Book review of English Silver before the Civil War. The David Little Collection.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Orfèvres de Saint-Domingue, Silversmiths of Saint-Domingue: Part II

Maurice Meslans

Silversmiths from Saint-Domingue - notes, dates and mark information.

Zalmon Bostwick – New York Silversmith

Ann Kinne

Silver examples of silversmith Zalmon Bostwick as well as history and his marks.

Cucumbers, Flatware Servers and An Extremely Rare Georgian Cucumber Slicer

Dale E. Bennett

A history of cucumbers and their servers from the late eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century. Many beautiful examples of servers are illustrated.

A Bookplate with a Silver Theme

Kay Olson Freeman

Author Kay Olson Freeman discovered a bookplate in a 1831 Philadelphia City Directory featuring silver items. She provides her research results on the names of the people that owned the book and the potential meaning behind the silver.

Dutch Silver Forks & Tablespoons from the Eighteenth Century

Rowland L. Matteson

Showcasing nine Dutch silversmiths from the eighteenth century, Matteson provides historic info and detailed images of their marks.

The Presidential Souvenir Spoons (1892)

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of souvenir spoons from presidential elections.

The Ancient Art of Damascening

Chitra Balasubramaniam

Delhi silversmith Rajesh Gahloth and examples of silver items using the craft of damascening.

Rediscovery of the Mermaids’ Pearl Bracelet

Marie-Élise Dupuis

Various Romantic Movement Mermaid's Pearl bracelets.

Russian Silver Spoons

Geoffrey Watts

Examples of late nineteenth-century Russian spoons, their silversmiths and history.

H. L. Webster & the 1860’s CABLE Coin Flatware

Ann Kinne

Kinne shares two coin silver pieces from her collection from the Cable pattern.

Orfèvres de Saint-Domingue, Silversmiths of Saint-Domingue: Part 1

Maurice Meslans

Silversmiths from Saint-Domingue and a history from the eighteenth century.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Various silver items double as holiday decorations.

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

A mid-nineteenth-century demitasse spoon from Montreal crafted by silversmith Robert Hendery.

Robert J. King: Pioneer of Mid-Century Modern Silver Design

Janna King

Author Janna King shares a unique historic perspective and amazing examples of her grandfather silversmith Robert J. King.

The Importance of Construction Techniques in Evaluating Beakers

Maurice Meslans

Mr. Meslans provides helpful information and examples on identifying beakers from various countries.

Dr. Iloff’s Amazing California Silver Collection

Pansylea Howard Willburn

California silver collection: History, examples, and conversations with the author.

Helgoland — An Oasis in the North Sea: Two Rare Spoons

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of souvenir spoons of Helgoland of the North Sea and their makers.

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

A very large beaker from Östhammar (1806) by silversmith Anders Arvid Pihlgren

Pardon Miller and a Relic of the Steamboat Age

Cliff Nunn

History and salt spoons from silversmith Pardon Miller.

English Long-Oval Servers

Dale E. Bennett

Various examples of long-oval servers and descriptions of their backstamps.

Armand Frenais Silversmith Company: A Rival of Christofle

David N. Nikogosyan

Company history and numerous backstamp examples of Armand Frenais.

Famous Bridges on Souvenir Spoons Part 2: The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge & The Golden Gate Bridge

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of souvenir spoons of with famous bridge themes and their makers.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Repurposing the use of a creamer & sugar

Editorial

Robert (Bob) Slater

West Point Silver Bullion Depository, New York Military Academy, Donald Trump, Eisenhower, U.S. Grant, Jefferson Davis, Sandy Weill, Silver souvenir items

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

Two tablespoons from Finland, 1779 & 1814 by silversmiths Bertil (Bartholomeus) Thorwijk and Johan Mellberg

Researching and Assistance from Others: the Eagle Marks Book

Catherine B. Hollan

Author Catherine Hollan explains the research that went into her Eagle Marks book.

Women in the Silver World: Gwendolyn L. Kelso

Patricia F. Singer

History and examples of silver appraiser Gwendolyn Kelso.

On the Trail of Surviving Shreve & Co., San Francisco, Historic Archival Material

Pansylea Howard Willburn

Examples and detailed history of archival documents of San Francicso's Shreve & Col

Famous Bridges on Souvenir Spoons Part 1: Pons Aelius, Brooklyn Bridge & Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of souvenir spoons of with famous bridge themes and their makers.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Repurposing the use of a punch bowl.

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

Two identical snaps beakers - illustrations and marks for Emanuel Lindström and Ludvig Axelsson, Jr.

A Short History of Germany’s Finest Silver Manufacturer

Karolina Stefanski

Company history and examples of Robbe & Berking silver.

“Good-Bye to Silver Tarnish!” [International’s “Palladiant” Campaign]

W. Scott Braznell

Manufacturer literature, silver examples and marks of International Silver tarnish-free "Palladiant" advertising campaign.

Gorham in 1905

Samuel J. Hough

Gorham in 1905 and a timeline of the company's structure.

Some Thoughts on “Rules” for late Eighteenth-Century French Silver Marks

Maurice Meslans

French silver mark examples and guidance on how to read and date them.

Isle of Capri Souvenir Spoons

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of souvenir spoons of with the Isle of Capri theme and their makers.

Book Review: Eagle Marks on American Silver

Silver Magazine Staff

Book Review

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

History and silver items crafted by the last of the Bateman family of silversmiths.

A Souvenir of the Albany Society of New York

Walter Richard Wheeler

Examples of silver souvenirs for members of the Albany Society of NY as well as history of the society.

German Flatware Servers

Dale E. Bennett

Detailed descriptions of various flatware servers from Germany.

An Important German New Objectivity Flatware Pattern: Bahner 17700

William P. Hood Jr. and Jörg Müller-Daehn

Illustrations and piece type listings for the Bahner 17700 pattern.

Souvenir Spoons Commemorating the Danish Sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen

Michelle P. Wilhelm

Examples of souvenir spoons of Danish Sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and their makers.

Book Review: Bertrand’s Toyshop in Bath, Luxury Retailing 1685-1765

Catherine B. Hollan

Book Review

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Repurposing the use of silver tongs

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

Five mid-nineteenth-century teaspoons by Jonas Lampén and their marks.

The Silver Mustard Pot

Geoffrey Watts

History and illustrations of English silver mustard pots.

Philo Gilbert & "The Other Patent"

Ann Kinne

Silversmith Philo Gilbert and examples of Patent #1143 and maker's marks.

The Sacajawea Copper Souvenir Spoon

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of Sacajawea Copper themed souvenir spoons and their makers.

Warsaw Silver Plate Companies, History and Marks: II. Norblin

David N. Nikogosyan and Joanna Paprocka-Gajek

History of the Norblin Silver Plate Company, examples of their work and varying backstamps.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Repurposing silver items for holiday entertaining.

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

A sauce boat from Björneborg master silversmith Johan Jacob Tortber dated 1851.

French Silver Flatware Series

Dale E. Bennett

Examples of various servers made by French silversmiths.

Tiffany & Co. Silver and Dynamic Symmetry

W. Scott Braznell

Illustrations and history of six unusual advertisements for silver hollowware made by Tiffany & Co. between November of 1919 and October of 1920.

James A. Garfield Souvenir Spoons: Student, Warrior and Statesman

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of James A. Garfield themed souvenir spoons and their makers.

Silversmith Frederick R. Reichel: Eleven Years in San Francisco, 1856-1867

Pansylea Howard Willburn

History, examples, and maker's marks for silversmith Frederick R. Reichel.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Alternative uses for a sterling crumb catcher.

Beyond These Borders

Rowland L. Matteson

An interesting method for saving silver from Logumkloster: silver filigree.

Early German Silver Egg Cups

Ole Lachmann

History and examples of German silver egg cups.

Silver Making, War, and Romance: The Saga of the Reeves Family - Part II: Enos Reeves (1753-1807)

I.S.K. Reeves, V

Another silversmith in the Reeves family - Enos Reeves. Features family history, silver examples, and marks.

Henry-Nicolas Cousinet (1696-1768), Parisian Silversmith: An Investigation into Fame and Anonymity

Thomas Penin

History of eighteenth-century French silversmith Henry-Nicolas Cousinet.

Souvenir Spoons from Persephone’s Island: Sicily

Michelle P. Wilhelm

Examples of Sicily themed souvenir spoons and their makers.

Beyond These Borders 2

Rowland L. Matteson

A rare Fiddle pattern teaspoon from Greenock - silversmith John Heron, 1835.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Alternative uses for a nineteenth-century footed French cup.

Book Review: Canadian Heritage Silver

Silver Magazine Staff

Book Review

Tools Maketh the Man: In the Workshop of Silversmith Mohammad Akram Ansari

Chitra Balasubramaniam

History and examples from modern silversmith Mohammad Akram Ansari of India.

San Francisco Silversmiths Koehler & Ritter, 1868-1885

Pansylea Howard Willburn

History and silver examples by Koehler & Ritter.

Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, the Beloved Disciple Souvenir Spoon

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of Cathedral of St. John themed souvenir spoons and their makers.

Wealth on the Table

Geoffrey Watts

Eighteenth and nineteenth century silver items for the dining table.

Special Dutch Date Letters

Janjaap van Luijt

History of Dutch date letters.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Alternative uses for silver demitasse cups

Warsaw Silver Plate Companies, History and Marks: I. Józef Fraget

Joanna Paprocka-Gajek and David N. Nikogosyan

Silverplate examples, history, and marks of I. Józef Fraget

Pages from the Past

Richard Kurtzman

Catalogue pages from Meriden Britannia Company dated 1867 showcasing Britannia metal items.

Charles-Louis Wagner and Frédéric-Jules Rudolphi’s Partnership in Paris

Marie-Elise Dupuis and Karolina Stefanski

Beautiful examples of silver as well as history of the long business partnership and influential style of Charles-Louis Wagner and Frédéric-Jules Rudolphi.

Durgin’s Seven Patented Souvenir Spoons

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of seven souvenir spoons designed and patented by William B. Durgin in 1891.

Beyond These Borders: A Rare Fiddle Pattern Salt Spoon Crafted by John Keith of Banff

Rowland L. Matteson

Brief history of silversmith John Keith and an example of his mark.

Book Review: British Silver Boxes 1640-1840: The Lion Collection

Dorothea Burstyn

Book review

Joseph Seymour And His 1859 Corn Pattern

Ann Kinne

Catalogue advertisement and silver example of a corn pattern by Joseph Seymour.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Mustard spoons and salt spoons make for good use with spices.

Russian Silver Flatware Servers

Dale E. Bennett

History and sterling examples of Russian servers.

Floral Art Nouveau Silver and the Chaser Christopher M. Whalen

W. Scott Braznell

Information on the history and marks of chaser Christopher M. Whalen.

American Silver at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: The Milo M. Naeve Collection

Marissa Hershon

Amazing examples of silver and their artists found in the Milo M. Naeve Collection in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

The Super Bowl of Arenas: The Colosseum on Souvenir Spoons

Robert M. Wilhelm

Examples of Colosseum themed souvenir spoons and their makers.

Whiting’s Diminutive Christmas Spoons

Patricia F. Singer

Two Christmas-themed patterns by Whiting Manufacturing Co.

Modern Day Uses for Antique Silver

Nancy Stuckwisch

Encouring the reuse of silver items rather than a permanent transformation of a piece.