Set of 8 Coin Silver Dessert Spoons c. 1805, 5 Robert Wilson, NYC, 3 Taylor & Hinsdale c. 1800-10.

This set is an early example of American coin silver flatware in the 'old English' pattern from the very early 19th century. Although mabe by 2 separate makers, they are identical.  It is not uncommon for families to purchase silver, over time, from more than one maker as fortune allows - sets such as this tell a very human story. (See the tablespoons from the same family.)

The set consists of 5 spoons marked 'RW', made by Robert Wilson who is listed in New York City Directories as working from 1803-1810.  It appears there were two Robert Wilsons, father and son.  Father (1766-1824), worked in New York and then Philadelphia (after 1814).  His two sons, Robert and William, became the famous silver company R&W Wilson of Philadelphia (working 1824-70?).  As Robert I was born in 1766, it is entirely possible he was working before being listed in the directories in 1803 when he was 37 years old. (Please refer to American Silver at Winterthur, p. 446, by Ian M. G. Quimby, Marks of American Silversmiths in the Ineson-Bissell Collection, p. 449, by Louise Conway Belden.)

The 3 other spoons are marked T&H for Taylor and Hinsdale, listed in the 1804-24 New York City and the 1804-18 Newark NJ directories.   There is debate about how much T&H made or sold silver.  Between 1804 and 1807 they purchased 753 spoons from Teunis D. DuBois of Freehold NJ. Possibly DuBois is the maker of these spoons?  (See Elegant Plate, p. 406, by Debbie Waters.)

The crests on all the spoons are a depiction of a falcon with spread wings.  The crest on the T&H spoons vary slightly with a branch in the falcon's beak.  These dessert spoons measure 7 inches long and are in very good antique condition- very nice tips, only very light dinging in a couple bowls. 

Our Price: SOLD

Item code:  F19