During the Victorian era there was a resurgence of interest in the Ancient Greek and Roman eras. This view was very idealized and the silver which was produced in this classical style was really an adapatation of the neoclassical elements of the British Regency period.
For the most part, the silversmith chose just a few Greek forms such as the acanthus leaves, chariots, and Olympian scenes and combined these elements into the "New Greek" revival style. Each silver factory had a number of different interpretations and many different patterns were made.
This idealized view of Ancient Greece is from Tiffany
Studios, NY (Olympian
pattern)
and was patented in 1878 (tablespoon / server). By the exhibition of
1867
the style had spread to Egyptian, Grecian, Pompeiian, Roman-Greek and
Renaissance. There are about seventeen different variations of the
Tiffany
Olympian pattern. This one is known as
"Orpheus in search of his wife
(click
for more info)".
Pretty sugar shell in the Louis XIV pattern (1870) by Gorham. I am unsure of the metal quality.
Tablespoon size server in the Neo-Grec style. The only mark is "sterling"
This is an 1890 Gorham pattern known as Chippendale. It combines neo-grec, gothic, beaded and even seems to predict the future with certain art deco elements.
Very large (8.4") serving spoon with a Greek key motif. The only mark is 925, and I am guessing that it is probably American made.
This very pretty soup spoon was manufactured by Kirk and Sons. Part of the engraved design is neo-grecian and part of the design is typical Art Nuevo swirl. The combination of the two elements tells us that it is most likely very late 1880's or early 1890's
puttis were also popular devices in the early phase of the Souvenir Spoon period and they are also found extensively in earlier Victorian artistry.
Dominick and Haff, a very respected silver firm, produced a series called the "Labors of Cupid".
left: This nice engraved picture citrus bowl spoon
shows Cupid picking grapes.
right: this nice server spoon shows Cupid drinking tea
More examples are shown in my first spoon book.
These are older spoons
NOTE: Spoons in this pattern are currently be reproduced with a wide range of implement ends using the original dies. I don't know how to tell the difference between the old and new spoons -- Caveat Emptor
This large, heavy and unusual Gorham pattern piece with a putti head is not identified in my books
An interesting hand chased flame by Wood and Hughes
Gorham's "Lady Washington" (1878) pattern (Beautiful sugar shell)
International Silver's "Wedgewood" (1924) pattern (fork)
This spoon and fork set is a cross between the Greek
Revival and the Kings
pattern. The two patterns are nicely interwoven. Left picture is front
and
the right is the back. These heavy large (about 8.5") pieces are marked
as
800 silver from Germany and made by the firm of
S&O (?) Lowenthal.