Whiting Antique Sterling Silver Glove Stretchers design attributed to Charles Osborne, NYC, NY, c. 1880s

Swirling pearl-like beads of various sizes create a unique and exotic pattern recognized as one of Osborne's most famous designs. This lovely sterling glove stretcher with a spring mechanism features an irregularly shaped surface decorated with nautically inspired pearl motifs on a hammered background. This dramatic pearl design is seen on items produced by Tiffany & Co. and the Whiting Mfg Company.

Pictured below is a Whiting archival photo housed at the John Hay Library with some of the wares in this line, including a pair of glove stretchers on the bottom right.

Charles Osborne was by far Whiting's most famous and important designer - actually worked for Tiffany's from 1879 through 1881, then returned to Whiting. His designs are some of the most important of the American aesthetic movement. (See Magnificent Tiffany Silver and Silver in America for more information on Osborne.)

Provenance:
Private Collection.

This attractive sterling glove stretcher is marked with Whiting's trademark and 'STERLING/ 1250'. It measures 9 inches long, weighs 4.55 troy ounces, and is in excellent antique condition.

Original archival image. Gorham Mfg. Co. Archives, John Hay Library, Brown University.