Paul Revere (1735-1818) is remembered as a patriot, but before his midnight ride, he was recognized as the preeminent silversmith in the American colonies. His ability to execute every stage of production—from raw ingot to engraving—set him apart from nearly all of his contemporaries. Pre-Revolutionary Revere hollowware like this stunning coffee pot is extraordinarily rare, with most of his surviving works residing in museum collections. The few pieces that remain in private hands are regarded as the most significant objects of American silver in existence.
Among Grosjean's most celebrated achievements is the Chrysanthemum pattern, introduced in 1880. The intricate design drew its inspiration from the wave of Japonisme that swept American culture following the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, where Japanese decorative arts captivated the nation. The pattern merges traditional Baroque forms with richly sculpted chrysanthemum blossoms and foliage rendered in deep relief—a complexity that made it among the most expensive and beloved patterns Tiffany & Co. ever produced.
Feminine Perspective: Did you know?
The naginata emerged as the iconic weapon of the onna-musha, or female bushi, who fought alongside male samurai. Recent archaeological findings from various battle sites in Japan revealed up to 30% of the battle corpses were women.
Hangakujo, Taiso Yoshitoshi Circa 19th century. This woodcut depicts a woman warrior with a bow and arrows.
The yari likely originated from the hoko yari and drew inspiration from Chinese spears. This incredible collection of Japanese traditional blades such as yari and naginata feature the Imperial symbol of Japan, the chrysanthemum, and kanji writing that translates to “Made in Japan.”
2. Hantsuki-yari
Used for expert defense and slicing
3. Sasaho yari
Broad leaf shape and pointed tip
4. Kikuchi yari
Single-edged blade used for hacking
5. Bishmon yari
Ornamental blade designed with two crescent moons facing outward
6. Sankaku-vari
Blunt-sided blade with a sharp point meant for piercing armor
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. Kris yari
Ceremonial weapon originally made for daily usage in self-defense
Created for the celebrated collector Mary Jane Morgan circa 1883, this singular set of 18 finger bowls represents the height of American Gilded Age silver. Each bowl displays a richly sculptural Rococo style, which was designed exclusively for Morgan—with the mold being promptly destroyed after these bowls were cast, a practice reserved only for the wealthiest of Tiffany’s patrons. So exceptional was the set that Charles Tiffany himself re-purchased it at Morgan’s landmark 1886 estate auction, underscoring its rarity, artistry and remarkable provenance.
Charles Lewis Tiffany (left) in his store, circa 1887. Source
Almost one hundred years later, a young upstart named Charles Lewis Tiffany founded what would become one of America’s most enduring firms, Tiffany & Co. During the height of the Gilded Age and under the direction of master designers like Edward C. Moore and Charles T. Grosjean, the firm broke from the conventions of European flatware and turned instead to the natural world for inspiration. The result was a body of work that no European silversmith had attempted—patterns of extraordinary creative complexity in which every element was individually sculpted.
In an era defined by ambition and display, Gorham Manufacturing Company also rose as one of America’s most formidable forces in silver. Founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1831, the firm rivaled Tiffany & Co. in both vision and execution, earning prestigious commissions from the White House and crafting iconic trophies such as the Davis Cup and the America’s Cup, objects that embodied achievement on a national stage.
Mary Todd Lincoln’s Gorham Silver Tea Service, circa 1859. Smithsonian American History Museum. Source
.jpg){kind=link}
Among the firm’s most extraordinary creations is the Versailles flatware pattern, designed by Antoine Heller in 1888. Rejecting the repetition typical of traditional silver services, Versailles unfolds as a sculptural tour de force. Each piece is individually modeled in high relief, with motifs drawn from Classical mythology and the opulence of the French royal court. This complexity required an exceptional level of artistry and time, with careful hand-finishing transforming every utensil into a miniature work of art.