Material: Sterling Silver
Maker: Gorham, c. 1880
Hallmark: Lion, Anchor, G Sterling ~ 2
Size: Length ~ 10 & 3/4 inches
Quantity: 1
This wonderful antique multi-motif pattern, with each piece featuring a different medieval character in fancy period dress, was designed for Gorham by Antoine Heller from an engraving by Russell Richardson.
This particular serving piece is an Oyster Ladle, which is between the soup and punch ladle in size.
Fontainebleau flatware is certainly not commonly found and the Oyster Ladle in particular is really extremely rare and quite hard to find, while other ladles, like the soup for example, are comparatively easy to locate.
This ladle features an ornately decorated, beautifully formed and proportioned, very substantial handle. The beautiful bright-cut bowl is big, deep and generous. It is extremely well made of very heavy gauge sterling silver. Weight is a considerable 4.76 troy ounces.
The server is clearly hallmarked as to maker on handle, as well as ~ Sterling ~ on lower handle. (the word “sterling” is not shown in image #5, but is present) There is also a small arrow type incised mark, near reverse handle base that we are unfamiliar with. It is monogrammed in a beautiful period script on handle reverse: AM
Condition of this antique ladle is exceptionally nice; we see no dings, or dents, just the expected light surface scratches commensurate with age, storage and careful use. Amazingly the pattern design remains quite defined, as we hope you can see in the close up images.
Fontainbleau, like its closely related design, Gilpen, is certainly a very collectable discontinued pattern and this Oyster Ladle server is a particularly rare and hard to find flatware piece.
