posted 07-14-2008 01:46 PM            

This silver belonged to my grandmother's grandmother, Julia Emma (Conner) Leonard Steere (1832-1916). On the back it is marked coin and Knowles & Ladd.

I've read online that Knowles & Ladd worked in Providence, RI. Julia's sister lived in Providence, the mother of Alonzo Townsend Cross (of A.T. Cross Pen Co. of Providence). Quite possibly the Cross family knew of the local silversmiths Knowles and Ladd. Richard and son Alonzo T. Cross started out as makers of gold pencil and pen casings which are more like jewelry items.
If I can learn this silver pattern, I hope to find some more. Does anyone know of a source? It's my favorite silver, but I am missing pieces. Most of our old family things were destroyed in the great Oakland Hills Fire of 1991.

Is this design a bit oversize? Spoons are 8 inches, dessert forks 7 inches, dinner forks 7 1/4 inches. The pieces feel great when in use though! I'd been using the spoons as serving spoons, but looking at the size of the other pieces, I am wondering if they weren't meant for soup!?

quote:

---

This is from here (Maker? Sterling 'Youth Set' ca 1878)

...You asked my interest in silver. I am the family historian and with the recent death of my mother, am now the custodian of everything-- memories, history, identities of faces in photos, where things came from... If I don't write things down all will be lost. That's where I am right now, kind of overwhelmed. Not sure why I am tackling silver first!

I have never paid much attention to silver, but to enjoy using it on special occasions. I am not a collector (of silver). My interest is in finding out more about what I have and trying to place it in the context of ancestors' lives. For instance, I only started looking at the back sides of silver a few days ago. When I saw that Knowles & Ladd, for instance, were of Providence RI, it was exciting, knowing the family's connection with Providence and association with a similar craft! You just never know when some little tidbit like that will jump out and connect -- adding to the interest in the objects and increasing the chance that the children will also cherish what comes to them.

I noticed, searching online, that a couple of the maker marks are not well known (or perhaps unimportant?) so I thought silver people might have some interest in seeing them and helping me out with some background.

Learning more about what has been taken for granted is fun. Hope my tiny assortment of silver is of some interest to others who are more knowledgeable.

Thanks,
Bonnie

---

posted 07-16-2008 05:33 PM            

I am confused a bit though. How does it work in the silver world: if a pattern is changed, wouldn't it have to be renamed to be 'introduced' again?

Does anyone have a photo of this later 'Mayflower'? It would be interesting to see the two side-by-side.

Another web site says H.L.Webster & Co became Knowles & Ladd in 1864 which in turn became J.B. & S. Knowles in 1875. So I am presuming my 'earlier' Mayflower-like pattern must be 1864-1875.

Am I to understand this pattern is not seen much? I don't see any on Replacements, etc. Replacements is the only place where I have seen Mayflower so far -- in a sketch that is a bit difficult to see. I am still searching...

Thanks

posted 08-06-2008 04:58 PM            

The pattern looks a little as kronestil (not the same of course) but also it looks like art nouveau.

And I wonder which period they designed the first art nouveau because you dated this pattern around 1868.

The one I will show is also a the end of the steel decorated and it is made in 1923.

Information told by member Blakstone and I believe that Miss Dragonflywink also have a collection of some Norwegian silver and very good knowledge about all the silver in the world.

I only send a photo of the pattern Kronestil as for look a like. My compliments for the great energy and enthusiasm at your side.

Enjoy the hobby,
silverhunter

posted 08-13-2008 12:32 PM            

I didn't personally date the Knowles & Ladd 'Ivy", of course - 1868 was the introduction date from the article mentioned in my previous post, a study of the partnership - well illustrated too. My ancestor (original owner of the 'Ivy') had a sister in Providence, Rhode Island whom she visited often during the partnership period of Knowles & Ladd. It is really special to think of her perhaps visiting the premises or receiving the silver as a gift from her sister's family. The sister's son was A.T. Cross of the pen company (still in existence, but no longer connected to the family). At least four men in the my family in Providence in the 1850s-1860s were connected with gold or jewelry or 'pencil case' making... so they could well have been friendly with the silversmiths in town. Not much has come down to me, as there were unfortunate family events, but someday I must post the pencil cases. I believe I only have two.

Your forks are lovely! On my monitor either the light or the red background (or both) make them look gold!

Thank you for the compliments. I am more of a fortunate great-great granddaughter rather than a collector. the only silver I have bought myself (that I recall right now) has been jewelry --in years past. But I must admit my curiosity about the silver flatware I inherited has even made me go out and buy my first book on silver! I was sad that it didn't have this pattern in it, but it is proving useful for identifying other items.

My great grandmother must've collected a few spoons. It is sad that they are almost unusable today -- mugs having virtually replaced cups and saucers. Teaspoons of yesterday would drown in the mugs of today! Not sure what I will do with the small collection of spoons. But at least for starters I will learn what they are and label them. I must say the more I am encouraged to look at silver, the more I am enjoying it. I just wish I could make it more relevant in my life instead of it being all stored away.

I see you are in the Netherlands, Silverhunter. I could tell you weren't a native English speaker. My compliments to you. It must be difficult communicating in English but you do a good job. Wish I could do so well in another language! Enjoy your elegant 'Kronestil'!

~Bonnie

posted 08-21-2008 11:38 AM            

At my side there is a low budget so I can't pay high prices for old marked pieces but I enjoy what I buy and must be careful not to buy to many things and after a while uninteresting pieces disappear in boxes. Until now I have a few pieces from different countries.

The kronestil flatware isn't guilded or so, but is standard 830 S (it's the alloy which is used and sometimes still used in Norway).

But you're wright sometimes the light change the silver shine into gold looking materials.

I wish you all the best and enjoy the hobbies over there in the USA.
Andre (silverhunter from Holland).