posted 03-21-2008 05:16 PM            

Article continued from Shiebler's Floral Flatware, Part 1: Flora - post 5 of 7(click here)

All pieces of Flora that we have encountered with patented motifs have been stamped with "winged S / STERLING / PAT’D. 89" (Figure 15 (see below)), or with "PATENT APL'D FOR" (Figure 16 9See Below)) or "PATENT APPLIED FOR" instead of the "PAT’D. 89." Some unpatented motifs have nevertheless also been marked as patented, e.g., the Lily on the table fork (no. 15) and the Clematis on the dessert/ luncheon fork (no. 13), as have some unpatented variations of patented motifs, e.g., the Buttercup variation on the tablespoon (no. a) and other pieces sharing this handle.

Nearly all teaspoons are stamped with the number of their motif, "1" through "12" (as in Figure 15 (see below)). Other pieces with teaspoon handles such as orange spoons may or may not have corresponding numbers. We have not seen a motif number higher than "12" on any piece. However, some pieces are marked with four-digit numbers, presumably representing model or form numbers (see Table 1). (27)

The illustrated Old French table knife (Figure 6 (see below)) and the eleven others from the same set are marked on the front of their blades with one form of the Shiebler "winged S" trademark (Figure 6a (see below)), which is very unusual. This would seem to indicate that the Shiebler Company produced these blades. There are not many Shiebler patterns with hollow-handled eating knives, and few of these have marked blades. The handle of this table knife is also marked on one side with a "winged S" in a slightly different form and "STERLING." While not marked on the blade, the straight bladed table knives are marked with "winged S" and "STERLING" on their bolsters.

Article continues in Shiebler's Floral Flatware, Part 1: Flora - post 7 of 7(click here)


Fig. 14. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Souvenir teaspoon commemorating Boston’s Old South Church (collection of William Hood).

Figs. 6, 6a. Shiebler’s Flora flatware. Left-to-right: table knife, H.H. (Old French plated blade) (courtesy of Antique Cupboard); table knife, H.H. (blunt straight plated blade); medium knife, H.H. (blunt straight plated blade) (collection of Michele Howe); fish knife, F.H.; probable fish knife, F.H. (variant blade); orange knife, F.H. (sawback); butter spreader, F.H. The detail is the Shiebler trademark (winged S) on the front of the Old French blade on the table knife at far left.


Fig. 15. Detail of the markings on the stem reverse of a Shiebler Flora teaspoon, motif no. 1.

Article continues in Shiebler's Floral Flatware, Part 1: Flora - post 7 of 7(click here)