Shiebler 'Amaryllis' Pattern Sterling Lobster Fork, NYC, c. 1880

The company of George Shiebler produced fantastic designs including the uncommon flatware pattern Amaryllis. It is a very intricate and exotic pattern executed on both sides of the handle. As pointed out by Dale Bennett in Silver Magazine, this fork is 'one of the most unusual I have ever seen... The fork portion represents the head of a shore bird, with the 1.5 inch very sharp tines the open bill of the bird.' (1) There is also a round piercing for the eye of the bird. 

This rare fork is marked with Shiebler's script 'GWS and 'STERLING/ PAT'D 77' and by the Philadelphia retailer 'BAILEY & CO'. It measures 6 inches long, weighs .90 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.

Provenance: From the collection of Dale E. Bennett

Endnote:

1. Dale E. Bennett, "Lobster & Lobster Silver" in Silver Magazine, May/June, 2012, pp. 16-22.