Essex Jewelry and Antiques

6 Pristine c1902 Whiting Sterling Silver Lily Oyster Cocktail Seafood Forks

$281.00

Presented is a wonderful set of 6 Whiting sterling silver oyster, cocktail, or seafood forks. These forks are made in the Lily pattern, which began production in 1902. As the name suggests, this pattern features beautiful floral decoration along the edges of the handles, done in the flowing, stylized but naturalistic Art Nouveau style of the time to which it dates, richly detailed and well done. These forks date pretty close to pattern's start date, having both the patent mark and the registered mark on the reverse. The fronts of the handles have a blank cartouche, none of which have ever been monogrammed. The forks have three tines, and are gold gilt up to the stem, so the silver will not be effected by briny seafood or acidic lemon juice, etc.

This set of forks is in excellent condition. The details of the pattern are nice and crisp, indeed these might be the most crisp and pristine forks I have seen, which is particularly notable considering their age. The gold wash is in great shape. There are no splits, no dents, no breaks, no monograms, no monogram removals, and no repairs.

Each piece is stamped sterling as well as the maker's mark for Whiting Mfg Co, the patent date of 1902, and the registered date, also 1902.

Each fork measures about 5 7/8 inches long.

This total weight for the set is 133.8 grams or 4.7 regular ounces. -jm