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

This is a lovely sterling glove stretcher with a spring mechanism. The irregularly shaped surface is decorated with nautically inspired pearl decoration against a hammered background. One arm is engraved 'LVF.' 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 bottom right.

Swirling pearl-like beads of various sizes create a unique and exotic pattern recognized as one of Osborne's most famous designs. This dramatic pearl design is seen on items produced by Tiffany & Co. and the Whiting Mfg Company.

Charles Osborne was by far Whiting's most famous and important designer - actually working for Tiffany's for a period in the 1880s then returning 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.)

This attractive sterling glove stretcher is marked with Whiting's trademark and 'STERLING/ 1250'. It measures 9 inches long, weighs 4.80 troy ounces, and is in excellent antique condition.

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