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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Silver before sterling
 R&W Wilson Piece
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| Author | Topic: R&W Wilson Piece |
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Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 |
posted 01-03-2008 07:11 PM
  
Here is an interesting coin silver server by Robert and William Wilson, of Philadelphia, probably dating to the 1850'S. It's 8" long and 2 1/4" at its widest. What's the pattern and what was its use? IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 01-03-2008 09:58 PM
I've seen this pattern referred to as R2W1. Sorry I can't give you a reference for that though. I've also seen utensils like this one called berry scoops. Judging by the basket of strawberries motif on this scoop, I'll stick with that. IP: Logged |
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Richard Kurtzman Moderator Posts: 768 |
posted 01-09-2008 01:50 PM
bascall, Berry scoop or shovel is more than likely. The title R2W1 is a designation given by a well known silver dealer. Still don't know what the makers called it. IP: Logged |
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ellabee Posts: 306 |
posted 09-23-2008 12:04 PM
I'd love to know what R.& W. Wilson called their pattern. I call it 'Wilson', because all the examples of it I've encountered are marked by them; i.e., they didn't appear to have made any for others to retail. Not only is the style 1850s, but the facts of the business also point to that time period, when they were growing fast. A federal 'census of manufactures' cited on pages 21-22 of Venable's Century of Splendor reported that Wm. Wilson & Son had 21 workers in 1850, second most in Philadelphia, and 48 by 1860 (fourth-most), but fewer than 20 by 1870. As wev noted in another thread (Wm Wilson & Son) about the firm, they continued to use the 'R & W. Wilson' mark for many years after the death of Robert Wilson in 1846. The firm changed its name to Wm. Wilson & Son at some point after that; shortly after, to go by the federal census of manufactures, or at least by 1869, to judge from a trade card (Wm Wilson & Son) shared by wev. The 'Wilson' pattern is particularly endearing because, although hewing to the 1850s oval-Olivey fashion in overall shape, its leafy decoration and scrolls evoke the rococo revival style for which the firm was known. A whole set in the pattern was offered by a New York dealer; I like to think that whoever bought it truly appreciates what they have, and are actually using it. (I know there are difference of opinion on that, but surely good, solid flatware like this is enhanced rather than endangered by being used.) IP: Logged |
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ellabee Posts: 306 |
posted 09-23-2008 12:53 PM
Just checked; that set (6-12 pieces of everything except of course knives) is still for sale. Must... stop... the... yearning! IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 09-23-2008 10:32 PM
Better buy it before the dealer breaks up the set or scraps it. Never hurts to make an offer! IP: Logged |
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Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 09-24-2008 09:18 AM
What this lovely pattern represents also is the beginning of "patterns" as such in American silver. All the "Olive" variations are in this line, as well as Gale's "Gothic." This is really distinctive, and I'm sure was thought of as "Modern French" when it was launched, presumably in the 1840s. Up to the early 1840s you have, at most, fiddle and thread, with maybe some early English King slipping in by way of English design borrowing. I've never seen this before. Very nice. IP: Logged |
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ellabee Posts: 306 |
posted 09-25-2008 01:33 PM
@Ulysses: Agree, it's probably pretty early in the history of patterns, but it seems impossible to say without more documentation exactly when R.& W. Wilson began producing it. In particular, there's no way to tell whether or not it was designed or produced before Robert Wilson's death in 1846; the firm continued to use the mark for many years thereafter. @swarter: This particular dealership is, I think and hope, unlikely to scrap the set. The price is almost 20% of my annual income, but well within reason for an actual collector. I'm very much with wev in wanting to know much more about the Wilson firm over time. Is there any reason to think that their records are still accessible anywhere? Wouldn't that make a great thesis for a Winterthur student? IP: Logged |
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ellabee Posts: 306 |
posted 02-15-2009 08:24 PM
Have now seen an auction in which the seller refers to the Wilson pattern as 'Acanthus'. Makes sense, but is probably not based on any documentation. I wonder when R&W Wilson / Wm. Wilson & Son made the switch to sterling. All the examples of this flatware pattern appear to be coin, as do many of the tea sets and such marked by the firm. But Bailey & Co. may have given the firm the incentive to move to sterling, since they both were marketing to the top end of the market. A topic for another thread. I very much want to acquire a serving piece or teaspoon in the 'Acanthus'/'Wilson' pattern. Not only is it attractive and well made and an early manufactured pattern, but it may have been introduced at the time that Peter Krider served as the foreman of the manufactory (15 months sometime between 1847-1850). IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 02-16-2009 12:41 AM
I have seen this shape refered to as a preserve, jelly or aspic server. Meant to serve from a moulded preserve. Customers have used it to serve egg rolls, tacos, burrittos, enchiladas, ravioli and hot dogs. And of course jello mould. IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 01-07-2012 11:20 AM
Here is a spoon & Fork by Wm. Wilson & Son IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 01-07-2012 11:39 AM
And a match safe: IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 01-07-2012 11:53 AM
Another item: IP: Logged |
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