Customer Reviews

Tiffany Silver Flatware 1845-1905, When Dining Was an Art

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This book is a superb work. The authors have filled a major void in the literature concerning the history of American decorative arts. The quality of the research and textual insights make this book essential reading for anyone interested in Tiffany silverware or the latter 19th century of American craftsmanship. The photography is so magnificent that I repeatedly find myself leafing through this book to admire the beauty of this flatware of a bygone era. A great read...a beautiful coffee table book...a classic in every respect.

This is a terrific book! It covers the complete spectrum of Tiffany silver flatware from 1845 to 1905. It's lavishly illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and original pattern drawings. It covers the full-line patterns, the not-full-line patterns, and the custom patterns made for the likes of the Vanderbilts and the Hearsts.

The book breaks the patterns down by designer: early pieces by retailers Polhamus, Hebbard, Gorham, Moore and others; the major designers Edward Moore, Charles Grosjean, and Paulding Parnham. It shows the various place pieces in standard patterns, as well as covering the extensive amount of fabulous and rare serving and other odd pieces (how many of you own a scallop serving fork?) There are also several useful appendices, including: Flatware Terminology; Glossary of Technical Terms; Tiffany Flatware Markings; and a Tiffany Chronology. As well, a thorough index makes it easy to find patterns or pieces you are looking for.

All in all this is the perfect book for the collector of this wonderful silver. It does not contain pricing information, which is a good thing in this day and age of online auctions, as such pricing info is often outdated by the time the book reaches the press. The only problem I had after reading it was that I wanted to own everything in the book! Don't hesitate, buy it!

For all silver lovers, not just Tiffany lovers. Beautiful book, beautifully produced. Pictures could not be better.

This book is a must have for the collector, dealer or appraiser. Loaded with history and incredible photos. What I found most interesting was the break down of the Victorian dining room table. Serving pieces for foods that sadly most people today can't even spell. A vanished life when a person was judged on the manners and dinign skills they possesed. Invaluable is a great addition of the section on how this silver is made. An indepth listing and history on the famous Mackay service cover an entire chapter.
Tiffany Silver
Little by Little: Six Decades of Collecting American Decorative ArtsSpode's Willow Pattern: And Other Designs After The Chinese

This is an excellent book filled with photographs of absolutely wonderful flatware and serving pieces. It is a must for the collector.

This is the Bible for Tiffany collectors but it also has a history of the purpose of each piece of flatware.