Lobster Forks Part 3

Several years ago I posted on Lobster Forks. I recently found two more examples of these pieces. They are not found in many patterns. I have seen examples of them in patterns by Durgin, Alvin, Tiffany, and Reed and Barton.

Old Newbury by Towle (6 1/4 inches)


Fleur De Lis by Alvin (6 1/4 inches)

Cake Saw (Part 3)

Here we have the Cake Saw, a piece I posted on earlier. This is a large piece that takes its cake seriously. Do not confuse this with the Wedding Cake Knife which is actually longer (in most patterns).

English King by Tiffany  ( 9 5/8 inches)



Mazarin by Dominick and Haff (9 3/8 inches)


Irian by Wallace (10 3/8 inches)



Hepplewhite Plain by Reed and Barton  (10 inches)

Napoleonic by Shreve

Joseph E. Birmingham designed Napoleonic for Shreve and it was introduced in 1905. The design is that of the laurel wreath, often used  by Napoleon as a simple for honor and victory. The simple motif of the wreath gracing the terminal is the only decoration on the piece.

Tea Fork (6 5/8 inches)

Devon by Reed and Barton

Devon, introduced in 1911 by Reed and Barton, is a fairly simple but elegant pattern with a leaf motif at the tip of the terminal. The edge of the end of the terminal is decorated with (what look to be) minute versions of the leaf motif also. A double line gracefully outlines the stem.



Cold Meat Serving Fork (8 5/8 inches)


Sugar Tongs (4 1/2 inches)


Long Handle Olive Spoon (8 1/8 inches)

Empire by Shreve or Durgin

The sterling world is full of "Empire" patterns. There is Whiting's Empire (1892) pattern. There is also Durgin's Empire (1895) pattern. And, Empire by Towle (1894). I also found references to Empire patterns by Reed and Barton, Mount Vernon, Ercuis, as well as Buccellati but could find no examples. However when I went to look at  Empire by Shreve I found it was the same pattern as Empire by Durgin. 

So if this looks familiar and you know Durgin's pattern, that would be the reason.

Pierced Pea Serving Spoon (8 1/2 inches)

Dorothy Quincy by Reed and Barton

Just in case anyone asked Dorothy Quincy was the wife of one of our founding fathers - John Hancock. And Reed and Barton honored her with a sterling pattern in her name. So we have Dorothy Quincy introduced in 1912. It is a very feminine pattern with a design on the terminal that continues to the top of the stem. 

Ice Cream Fork (5 inches)


Old French Hollow Knife (9 5/8 inches)


Sugar Tongs (3 3/4 inches)

La Touraine by Reed and Barton

La Touraine, introduced by Reed and Barton in 1895 is a pattern with a heavy beaded design. It is patterns like this that so represent the Victorian era with the substantial heft, serious design, and art work at the shoulder, midway up the stem, and on the terminal.


Toast Serving Fork (7 1/4 inches)


Master Salt Spoon (3 1/2 inches)


Crumber (12 5/8 inches)

Saint George by Reed and Barton

Dating back to 1918, Reed and Barton's Saint George pattern is fairly simple, especially when compared to Wallace's much more ornate pattern of the same name. However the detail on the tip of the terminal and the very end of the stem make it an elegant pattern. 


Small Tomato Server (6 3/8 inches)


Preserve Spoon (7 3/4 inches)



Small Chipped Beef Fork (6 3/8 inches)

Tree of Life by Reed and Barton

Another "modern" pattern, Tree of Life by Reed Barton only dates back to1974 but the intricate design on the flat handle is intriguing. The motif  is one of a tree with branches, flowers, and birds.  

Fork (7 5/8 inches)

Onslow Patterns

Onslow is a name used in several patterns by several companies that look somewhat similar. I am going to do my best to sort them out. 

Onslow by Tuttle dates back to 1931 (Luncheon Fork 7 3/8 inches)


Onslow by CJ Vander (Dinner Fork 8 inches)  Note the CJ Vander pattern has deeper lines, a thinner terminal and more pronounced fluting.



English Oslow by Wallace (Dinner Fork 8 1/2 inches) demonstrates even wider divide in the lines and more pronounced fluting.


I also found references to other patterns with strikingly similar designs including Onslow by Dominick and Haff, English Onslow (1969) by Worcester, and Onslow-Georgian Scroll (1935) by A.J. Stone. In all my research into sterling flatware I have yet to find a name used so many times by so many manufacturers for patterns that were so similar yet each unique.