posted 04-09-2002 01:54 PM              

Can you please tell me about a silver marked "stone", I know it was from a guy named A. J. Stone, made in Gardener mass, but I only know that cause the small piece I came across had an old newspaper clipping in it. According to the article, his pieces are valuable, and I'd like to get more info.. I have been alllllllll over the web searching for info, only thing I found was a book written by him to order, written by a descendant of his, any help you can give me would be great!

Your site was actually recommended to me by another site.

posted 04-09-2002 03:12 PM            

In brief, Arthur Stone is highly regarded for the fine handwrought silver produced by him personally and by the workshop he started in 1901. His shop employed and trained many fine silversmiths who later established their own shops, like George Blanchard. Stone did most of the designing himself, and he personally supervised the work until his retirement in 1937. The company then became Stone Associates, and remained in business until 1957, all the while maintaining high standards of quality.

Stone silver is characterized by its simplicity of form and careful attention to detail. Unlike most Arts & Crafts silver, Stone pieces generally bear no visible hammer marks, although everthing was indeed made by hand.

Stone silver is still highly prized by silver collectors. Can you describe your piece, or, better yet, send pictures? If you describe the marks exactly, we might be able to give you a rough estimate of the date it was produced and which silversmith in the shop actually made it.

posted 06-17-2004 03:37 PM            

I have seen video copies of 2 old films made at the Stone shop. The films are silent films documenting the making of a footed bowl with gadrooning on the side and the making of a spoon.

I have also seen a recent film that features text by Herman Glendenning and footage from the above silent film.