Special Features

Fiorito is an example of both Shiebler and a floral pattern at it's best. It is again multi-motif each piece having a different flower brought out in beautiful high relief. The knife has a much higher relief than most other hollow handled knives.The finish is quite distinctive.

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Dating

Most of the pieces bare a Patent May 13-02 mark. Rainwater states that the company was out of business by 1915 with no apparent successor. Therefore unlike many American patterns that were acquired by Gorham, with Shiebler, one is certain to have an old piece made before 1915.

Pieces Available

Size  My Cost   Notes Dinner knife 10 1/4"   $90.00 Dinner Fork 7 3/4"   $90.00 Luncheon Fork 7" $45.00 Ice Cream Fork 5 7/8"   $69.00 or maybe a salad? Oval Soup 7 1/4"   $75.00                                              Teaspoon 6"   $45.00 Demi-Tasse 4 1/2"   $30.00 Flat Butter 5 5/8"   $35.00

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Note:			In my search for the third fork, I purchased a group of forks that were described to me as ice cream forks. They appeared to be very similar to what one would expect as a salad fork, possibly with a little more rounded bowl. Since then Bob Carnighan reported that he has found a 6 ¼” flatter fork with the same flower. There is some question as to whether one is fish and one is salad.
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As usual the knife and salad fork are the most difficult. It seems that the dinner knife is far harder to find than the luncheon knife. Many services included only the luncheon knife.

Comments

Certainly no discussion of great silver is complete without a tribute to the prolific and creative George Shiebler, and this pattern is a prime example of his virtuosity. There is currently a knowledgeable cadre of collectors who will buy anything with the Shiebler winged insignia. The Shiebler version of Medallion that graces the cover of Soeffing (3) is currently the most highly prized (and priced) American flatware of the era.