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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Silver before sterling
 Maryland Silversmiths 1715-1830
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| Author | Topic: Maryland Silversmiths 1715-1830 |
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Daddy-o Posts: 24 |
posted 02-24-2006 10:56 PM
  
[26-0923] I recently inherited a silver book, MARYLAND SILVERSMITHS 1715-1830, by Peasant and Sill. it is a numbered copy (#69) of a limited edition of 300 copies. It is a wonderful resource on the topic and has great illustrations, touchmarks, and biographies of Maryland silversmiths. It was a gift of the author's to Ledlie Irwin Laughlin, noted collector and author of, PEWTER IN AMERICA IT'S MAKERS AND THEIR MARKS. Based on the limited number of copies printed,it must be a rare book. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 08-07-2006 11:29 PM
Hello, Here's a little bit about myself in connection with silver: I was first "bit by the silver bug" when I bought a beautiful scottish sterling silver mustard ladle in the Barrows, a huge flea market in Glasgow, Scotland, many years ago. The ladle was in the kings pattern, single struck, perfectly symmetrical and so well made, and of course it had those interesting british hallmarks. Every since then I've been on the look out for great silver pieces at a good price, and along the way an appreciation for american silver was also developed. All that said, in truth I am a seller. I buy to sell, even though I appreciate silver greatly. Of course, I will be sensitive to the rules of this site, and I will not be seeking information strictly to use for a quick sale of an item, but I am what I am. I make my introduction in this posting reply because I am interested in finding out if Daddy-o has anything about a Maryland silversmith named Briley in his Maryland Silvermiths book. I am speculating that there might be a 19th century Dorchester County silversmith by name of Thomas Briley. Your book sounds very interesting. I'm told that Maryland and in particular Baltimore silver is plentiful because it has always been a prosperous area and Baltimore has not suffered from any of the great fires that many other big cities have had to contend with, and as a bonus Maryland had its great "Dominical" silver marking system. Thank you. [This message has been edited by bascall (edited 08-16-2006).] IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 08-08-2006 10:46 PM
Unfortunately, there is no one named Briley listed in either Pleasants and Sill or Fales Silver in Maryland. IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 08-09-2006 09:56 AM
I appreciate your trouble. It was pure speculation on my part. Knew I couldn't be that lucky! IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 08-14-2006 08:26 PM
Here's an image of a Briley spoon. Original length was probably around eight and a half inches; the back of the handle is ribbed; and there was a bird on the back of the bowl that is just about gone. Also this is a nice heavy spoon even with just what's left of it. Any informtion about this maker would be very welcome. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 08-14-2006 09:39 PM
The presence of the birdback plus the orientation of the engraving across rather than along the handle points to a Philadelphia - Wilmington area origin for your spoon. Although the name is not in the Pennsylvania or Delaware lists of silversmiths, I would first look in Southeastern Pennsylvania or Delaware for the name, which could belong to a retailer if not a silversmith. IP: Logged |
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vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 08-15-2006 07:54 AM
any chance the name could be B. Riley? IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 08-15-2006 08:30 AM
My first thought was B. Riley, and it still could be, but I've pretty much convinced myself that it's just Briley. I was sort of thinking I should see a period or at least a noticeable space which I haven't. On the other hand though, there is a rise for the B and for the R at the top of these letters which may mean both are first or capital letters. I'll shoot all five marks that I have and let you take a look. Thanks for looking! [This message has been edited by bascall (edited 08-15-2006).] IP: Logged |
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argentum1 Posts: 602 |
posted 08-15-2006 08:59 AM
Never give up hope. It could be an unrecorded mark. Unfortunately we do not have a time machine, so it is not possible to travel back and check out every silversmith who worked. There is a possiblity of it being not American. There are places using just initials and/or name only. Canada and the English Channel Islands coming to mind. Good luck and enjoy the spoon. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 08-15-2006 01:16 PM
This spoon was made around 1800, give or take a few years. There is no doubt that it is American - there is enough of the bird visible to tell that it is typical of the designs used in America during that period. That the mark is B Riley is a possibility. There was a silversmith by the name of Bernard Riley listed in Philadelphia directories for 1849-1850, too late for this spoon, There were several other Rileys who were clockmakers and silverplaters, which are allied professions, so that family name was well represented in the Philadelphia trades. IP: Logged |
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FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 08-15-2006 03:40 PM
For what it's worth, and lacking anything to add, I agree with swarter on all points here. IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 08-15-2006 04:20 PM
Here's the other BRILEY marks and a better image of one of the birds on the back of a bowl:  IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 08-15-2006 04:46 PM
I think that Vathek's guess is now shown to be correct. The added photos clearly show that the B and R are intended to be larger than the remaining letters - and separated from one another - therefore indicating that B Riley is the correct reading. [This message has been edited by swarter (edited 08-15-2006).] IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 08-16-2006 09:48 AM
I'm convinced. Do you have anything about a Riley or Johnson & Riley in Baltimore circa 1786 according to one of my references? Your assistance is very much appreciated. These are great heavy well worn early american spoons. IP: Logged |
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