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I can't explain it either, but Durgin is known for this pattern. ::: The pattern dies were laborious to make and sometimes they were transferred between companies, so that might be what is happening here, but it is strange that the Durgin "D" is not present right next to the bowl, it looks...

Probably Gravy or Sauce or Cream ladle was the original intention. ;;: The pattern looks similar to the Durgin company's "Chrysanthemum" so maybe the similarity is just coincidental, not sure. ::::

I've had a few antique cigarette cases with the original elastic material which holds the cigarettes in place, so I know what heavily used elastic bands look like. :::: What strikes me about your elastic bands is that they seem unused. ::: If those are the original elastic bands, they appear to have...

Rest In Peace Goldstein. ::: Thanks for all the pics of your collection. ::::

I had a penguin with a black-and-white agate body. ::: I believe it was 800 silver and it was from Germany. ::: The hallmarks were difficult to find. ::

I get the impression that my penguin example was older than your examples, for some reason your examples strike me as more modern. ::::

What does the additional hallmark depict? ::: I have never heard of that hallmark before so I wish to know the image in the hallmark. ::: Thanks.

What image does the additional symbol depict? ::: Is it a famous building in Poland? ::::

Yes the Swiss spoon I have from circa 1780 has a triangular drop. :::: I had considered Switzerland but wasn't sure ::::

That Maryland Clockmaker/Silversmith I was trying to think of was Jacob Mohler. :::: That serving spoon had a triangular drop. :::

Never seen a "double-triangle" drop like this ever before :::

I have 800 with M below stamped inside a spoon bowl around here somewhere. :::: Seems like a fineness mark to me as well. ::::

The colonial American spoon that I had that had a triangular drop was a clockmaker from Maryland. ::: So it could actually be rural Southern. :::: The monogram does really seem American, to my eyes at least. ::: But since there were IP makers from the Channel Islands it seemed a good idea to at leas...

I have seen Channel Island Silver Spoons with flat pointy rat-tails where the bowl meets the shaft. :::: Do you think its possible that this was originally a rat-tail (flat & pointy) and a silversmith has altered it to appear more in the style of the 1790s? :::: I have never seen a drop quite li...

Another IP as well from Channel Islands. :::

IP - Unknown, Jersey, early 18th century. Christening cup, trefid spoon. (already mentioned this unidentified IP)
IP - James Perchard, Guernsey, 1727-1758. Footed paten at Forêt, baluster mug. (another IP which I did not know about until now)

Check Channel Islands. ::: Could this be "John LePage" who was working at the beginning of the 19th century? The monogram certainly looks like it was made at the beginning of the 19th century. ::: Or.....perhaps..... Do you think the spoon is older and could be from the beginning of the 18...

I always thought 800M was Belgian and was used during the period of time when silver hallmarking was not compulsory. ::::

A similar object with a cedar tree finial (the "cedars of Lebanon" are famous trees) just sold. ::: Described as 800 silver from Lebanon. ::::

Yes a documentary with lots of scenes in the workshop showing how the ornate pieces were made. :::: All Hester aside, the mark could very well be that of Henry Bailey as previously mentioned. :::: If there is a super-expert in this field perhaps more could be learned about the silver structure and t...

Maybe a specialist could comment on the piercing of the arms and the actual carving of the coconut shell itself. :::: Can we at least narrow down the time-frame (18th vs. 17th centuries) and the general area of construction (England vs. Continental)? Am I the only one who wants to see a Hester Batem...

"In the 17th century, travelers and merchants brought back to this country (England) coconuts, exotic shells and rare birds' eggs, which were given silver mounts"**. Coconut cups were often turned into the bowl of a wine goblet. "These often only have a maker's mark or perhaps no mark...

Might date to circa 1920 would be my guess. :::: About 10 years ago I remember seeing a lid with a pineapple on it, I can't remember the maker, it was a sterling silver lid for a jar with a tiny pineapple on top which would be the part where you grab with your fingers to lift the lid off of the jar....