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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 A Curator's Viewpoint
 Krider, silversmith
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| Author | Topic: Krider, silversmith |
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2foggy Posts: 10 |
posted 11-11-2003 02:25 PM
  
I debating on whether to purchase a ladle by Peter Krider (dating before 1850 with the PLK mark). It is elaborately decorated with bright cut work and is in excellent condition. There is little doubt in my mind whether the quality is high, as I have not seen anything of this era come close to the quality. However, I am not that familar with Krider and the mid-19th century date coupled with a high end price makes me think I might be out of my depth. I would like to know more about Krider and the general opinion and desirablity of his work. Additionally, I would like to know more about what to look for in American bright cut work of this period, as this peice feels more folky than bright cut work of earlier English periods. IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 11-11-2003 07:12 PM
Bright cut decoration became popular during the late 18th century and is desirable in this period American work. I am not familiar with the demand for Krider's work nor what his items might be worth. Ladles tend to demand a higher price than a teaspoon or tablespoon. Size might increase the desirability. If the maker is from a Southern state the desirability increases. I look for quality in manufacture and condition to help determine if I want to purchase something. It is important to me that I be able to use it as well. Mid nineteenth century silver does not usually attract my attention. Much of the what I see was machine manufactured and not if interest to me. These are just my suggestions and do not reflect the market value or the interests of the silver marketplace. Fred IP: Logged |
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Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 |
posted 11-12-2003 09:42 AM
Generally I concur with what FredZ had to say. Krider was a significant maker of silver flatware in Philadelphia in the middle-years of the 19th century. I must, however, take exception to the remark about mid-century silver being machine made. Except for spinning (which is a highly skilled hand operation, although it is not raising, I admit), Victorian silver is not machine made, especially not before the 1870s. The craft quality of most mid-1850s silver is as good as most silver produced in 18th century in America, romance notwithstanding. Mid-1800s silver is not hugely popular because it tends to be more or less all the same style, unlike the neo-grec and aesthetic movements that will follow it. But don't let that dissuade you. I would expect American silver of the 1850s to look slightly provincial compared to British silver--or at least British silver made for aristocratic clients. Since American silver was largely for a bourgeous clientele after the 1842 tarrif act, it won't be as grand as the grandest British silver. However, bourgeous bright-cut pieces in America will be every bit as fine quality as anything in Britain at the same time for the same class of customer. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 11-12-2003 12:46 PM
It might also be worth mentioning that much of Krider's output was supplied to the trade, and his incised initial mark often appears in combination with that of the retailer. One should be able to expect uniformly good construction from a major manufacturer, but decoration must be judged on its own merits, as pieces could have been supplied plain and the engraving added elsewhere than in the maker's own (or his contractor's) shop. IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 11-12-2003 01:07 PM
My statement of machine made delt with much of the flatware I have seen made during this period. I can seldom ever afford holloware. I do realize that most of the decoration was repoussed and hand chased. Raising was still practiced by many. I am not making disparaging remarks toward the mid 19th century smiths. The Victorian style is not my personal taste. Swarter makes a great point. Not all the decoration might have been the product of the manufacturer of the body of the work and so may not meet the quality one might expect from the maker. Fred IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 11-12-2003 04:46 PM
I agree, you do have to judge decoration on its own merits. Factory engraving was usually of high quality. If you see a piece with poorly executed or badly conceived engraving, it is safe to assume that it was done by the jeweler or other firm that reatiled the piece. For example, I once had a master butter knife in Gorham's OLIVE pattern from the 1860's. The blade had the most atrocious engraving; it looked like small child had done it. The engraving was of the period, but there is no way it left the Gorham factory looking like that! Brent IP: Logged |
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