Arthur Stone Sterling Arts & Crafts Figural Fish Service, Gardner, MA, c. 1915, 24 pieces

Featuring fish decorated blades, this rare service is some of the finest flatware we have ever seen produced by the Stone shop. The forks and knives have tapered, shaped handles with an incised line around their edge. The necks have six wave-like flutes topped with chased line borders.

The blades of the knives are exquisite. The whimsical, fish-shaped flat blades are decorated with chased faces, scales, and fins. All pieces are monogrammed with a 'B.'

Edward Bok was the highly successful editor of Ladies Home Journal and a leader of the Progressive movement in the United States. (See here.) The Arthur Stone Archive in the Archives of American Art preserves a photo of the c. 1913 family service of 10 place pieces, which does not include this fish service that was likely made to match shortly after. The photo's envelope notes, "M B [Mary Bok] flatware 10 pc." We believe the flatware pattern is a custom design for them.

This exceptional set is marked "STONE-STERLING/ B." The sideways "B" is for Charles W. Brown, a spoonmaker working from 1912-37. (Brown was only one of eight silversmiths who received the designation of 'Medalist' from the Society of Arts & Crafts in Boston – it's highest honor). The forks and knives measure 7 and 8 inches, respectively. They have a combined weight of 47.15 troy ounces and are in very good/ excellent antique condition.

Provenance:

Edward & Mary C. Bok

Cary & A. Margaret Bok