Durgin Silver Company
American
In its heyday, the Durgin Silver Company was one of the largest sterling silver flatware and hollowware manufacturers in the United States. Responsible for the trailblazing Fairfax pattern — one of the most popular patterns in the U.S. for a time during the early 20th century — Durgin Silver established a reputation for quality and durability.
The company was founded in 1853 in Concord, New Hampshire, by William Butler Durgin. Raised by farmers in Campton, New Hampshire, in 1833, Durgin grew up learning about agriculture from his parents. To their dismay, he decided life as a farmer wasn’t for him, and he shifted his focus to jewelry.
Durgin left Campton for Boston, where openings in the jewelry trade were scarce at the time. Undaunted, he became an apprentice to a silversmith named Newell Harding. In his second year as an apprentice, however, Durgin fell ill and returned to New Hampshire, settling in Concord. After he recovered, Durgin established his eponymous company.
Over the next 50 years, the Durgin Silver Company earned accolades for its role as one of the finest producers of sterling silverware in America. From its large brick factory in Concord, the firm manufactured exquisite tableware, serving pieces, tea sets and home decor such as candleholders. Its variety of elegant patterns, including Chatham, Chrysanthemum, English Rose, Louis XV, Victorian, Orange Blossom and the aforementioned Fairfax, were extraordinarily popular.
In 1878, Durgin’s son George Francis, who had learned silversmithing from his father, became a partner and the company enjoyed considerable success around the turn of the 20th century. Among their clients were the Packard Motor Company, the Davis Cup, the National Cash Register Company and the battleship U.S.S. New Hampshire, for which they made a 72-piece silver service and bell.
Durgin died in 1905 of cystitis and pneumonia, and tragically, George died soon afterward. That year, Durgin Silver became a division of another well-known American silver firm, the Gorham Silver Manufacturing Company. Today, Durgin Silver remains highly coveted among collectors of American silver.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique Durgin Silver Company serveware and decorative objects.
to
3
36
36
1
9
27
11
4
2
1
1
1
36
36
36
1
1
12
11
36
36
36
30
7,546
3,967
2,548
2,244
Creator: Durgin Silver Company
Sterling Silver Baptismal Dish
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Looking for a gift for a newborn baby? Search no more; we have the perfect gift! A sterling silver shell-dish to use at a baptism ceremony. This is the right size and shape to sco...
Category
1930s American Vintage Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 154 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 98 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 135 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rare American Sterling Silver-Mounted Threaded Crystal Match Striker By Durgin
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in New York, NY
Rare, American, Edwardian Period, sterling silver-mounted threaded crystal match striker, The Durgin Silver Co. (William B. Durgin), Concord, New Hampshire, Ca. 1900. Measures 2 1/...
Category
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 126 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in bloom among leaves and buds. The chrysanthemum flowers flow down beautifully onto the tines, bowls, and serving areas of many of the pieces.
Superb Chrysanthemum by Durgin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Wellington by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 121 Pc Dinner "S" Mono
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
12 dinner size knives (silver plate blunt blades) 10",
12 dinner size forks 7 5/8",
12 regular knives (silver plate blunt blades) 8 5/8",
12 regular forks 7",
12 salad forks 5 7/8",...
Category
Early 20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Iris & New Art by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Nouveau 167 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
"New Art" - the name is a literal translation of the French "Art Nouveau" was introduced as a not-full-line pattern with four motifs: Iris, Easter Lily, Narcissus, & Orange Blossom. In 1900, one year after New Art was introduced, Durgin introduced the single motif...
Category
Mid-20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Gravy Boat
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are happy to offer you this sterling silver gravy boat by Wm. Durgin Silver from the 1940’s. Manufactured during WWII it is understated...
Category
1940s American Vintage Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Hunt Club, Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Eight Service 44 Pcs Dinner Size
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Eight dinner size knives 9 5/8",
eight dinner size forks 7 3/4",
Eight salad forks 6 1/2",
eight teaspoons 6",
Eight flat handle butter spreaders 5 5/8",
one serving spoon 8 5/8",...
Category
Mid-20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Wm. Durgin Candlesticks
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very handsome pair of candlesticks that are sure to delight the buyer. They have a square base with a four leaf clover holding them up. There are leaves on each corner of the base,...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Watteau by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner Size 168 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Watteau by Durgin circa 1890-1920 sterling silver dinner size flatware set - 168 pieces. This set includes:
12 dinner size knives, blunt blades, 9 5/8"
12 dinner size forks, 7 5/8"
12 luncheon/dessert forks, 7 1/8"
12 salad forks, 6 1/8"
12 teaspoons, 5 3/4"
12 place soup spoons, 6 7/8"
12 flat handle butter spreaders, 5 3/4"
12 oyster forks, 5 3/4"
12 gumbo soup spoons, 7"
12 large dinner spoons/serving spoons, 8 1/4"
12 pastry forks, 3-tine, 5 7/8"
12 fish forks, 7 3/8"
12 fish knives, 8 1/8"
1 gravy ladle, 7 3/8"
1 large stuffing spoon w/button, 11 1/2"
1 roast carving set, 5-pc, some wear to original steel blades/tines, as shown in photo.
1 fish serving set, 2-pc, 11" & 8 3/4"
1 pierced olive spoon, 5 3/4"
1 berry spoon, 9"
1 ice cream serving spoon...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Louis XV by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 54 Pc Rare in Fitted Box
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Rare Louis XV by Durgin, circa 1891, sterling silver Flatware set - 54 pieces (plus 12 Mother of Pearl handle knives). This set includes:
12 Mot...
Category
Early 20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Marechal Niel by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 125 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Named for a golden yellow variety of climbing roses, Marechal Niel has large, handing, perfect tea rose-shaped flowers of deep golden yellow. This flower has a strong tea scent and w...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 6 Fairfax No. 2 Old French Hollow Knives by Durgin, 1910
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Durgin's 1910 Fairfax No. 2 set of six Old French hollow knives is a classic example of early 20th-century American silverware. These knives feature a simple, elegant Fairfax pattern...
Category
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Set of 6 Durgin Black Starr & Frost Sterling Silver “ABS” Shot Glasses
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set Of 6 Durgin Black Starr & Frost Sterling Silver “ABS” Shot Glasses.
2.25” h x 2.125” w
Set of 6 shot glasses each with “ABS” monogram to center. Each marked properly to b...
Category
20th Century American Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Empire by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set For 8 Service 51 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Rare Dinner Size Empire by Durgin sterling silver flatware set - 51 pieces. This pattern was introduced in the year 1895 and features a crown above a central cartouche. This set incl...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Durgin Sterling Silver Pitcher Jug in Art Nouveau Style from Early 20th Century
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in New York, NY
Durgin sterling silver pitcher or jug from the early 20th century, in Art Nouveau style, beautifully adorned with floral and curvilinear motifs. It measures 10 1/2'' in height by 9 1...
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Madame Royale by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 52 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Dinner Size Madame Royale by Durgin sterling silver Flatware set, 52 pieces. This set includes:
8 Dinner Knives with stainless blades, 9 3/4"
8 Dinner Forks, 7 5/8"
8 Salad Forks, 6...
Category
20th Century American Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Durgin for Grogan Sterling Silver Repousse Bowl from Late 19th Century
By Durgin Silver Company, Grogan & Co
Located in New York, NY
Durgin sterling silver bowl, retailed by Grogan, from the late 19th century with an ornate border with repousse floral and curvilinear designs. It measures 15'' in depth by 12'' in w...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Essex by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 112 pieces Dinner Art Deco
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Large Dinner & Luncheon Essex by Durgin, c1911, sterling silver Flatware set - 112 pieces. This set includes:
12 Dinner Size Knives, 9 5/8"
12 Dinner Size Forks, 8"
12 Regular Knive...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
William B. Durgin Co. 1900 Edwardian Neo Classic Center Bowl 925 Sterling Silver
By Durgin Silver Company, William B. Durgin
Located in Miami, FL
An impressive center bowl designed by William B. Durgin Co.
Magnificent very rare piece, created in the United States by the silversmiths and silverware makers William B. Durgin Co, back in the turn of the 19th century, circa 1900. This fabulous center vase bowl was crafted with Edwardian neoclassical patterns in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with high polished finish. The vase stand in a rounded pedestal foot and suited with a pair of elaborated handles with multiples garlands and tassels. The upper border is adorned with four groups of organic motifs of flowers chiseled in low and high relief and a fine bright cut decoration along the rim.
The design of this piece is extremely interesting as it brings together various artistic movements such as the Art Nouveau, the Edwardian, the Neoclassical with a hint of neo-Gothic details and the Greek Revival.
Has a total weight of 972 Grams and a measurements of 389 mm by 375 mm by 120 mm (12.16 x 14.75 x 4.75 Inches).
Stamped with the maker's mark cartouche with a D associated to William B. Durgin Co, the model number and signed, "D STERLING 930C".
NutmegGraters.Com ~ American Sterling Nutmeg Grater By Durgin
William B. Durgin Co. (1853 - 1924) was a noted American sterling silver manufacturer based in Concord, New Hampshire, and one of the largest flatware and hollowware manufacturers in the United States. Over the period between the 1905-1924 it was merged into the Gorham Manufacturing Company.
The company was founded by the silversmith William Butler Durgin (July 29, 1833 - May 6, 1905). Durgin was born in Campton, New Hampshire, and from 1849-1853 apprenticed to Boston silversmith Newell Harding. In the 1840s Durgin moved back to Concord, where he opened a small shop making spoons opposite the Free Bridge Road. He incorporated as William B. Durgin Company in 1853, in 1854 added the manufacture of silverware, and in 1866 established a large brick factory on School Street. In 1905, after the death of both Durgin and his son, George F. Durgin, the company was acquired by Gorham through a long process that culminated with an official purchase in 1924. Production was moved to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1931.
The company made the Davis Cup, the silver service for the battleship USS New Hampshire, and medals for St. Paul's School. Its Fairfax flatware...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Edwardian Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Madame Royale by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 24 pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Madame Royale by Durgin sterling silver Flatware set, 24 pieces. Great starter set! This set includes:
6 Regular Knives with blunt silverplated blades, 8 5/8"
6 Regular Forks, 7"
6 ...
Category
20th Century American Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
#19 by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 212 Pieces Dinner Deco
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Art Deco "Number Nineteen" by Durgin, circa 1916-1952, sterling silver flatware set, 212 pieces. This set includes:
12 dinner size knives, 9 3/4"
12 dinner size fork...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
New Queens by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 87 Pieces Dinner Shell
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
New Queens by Durgin sterling silver dinner flatware set, 87 pieces. This timeless, Classic, shell-motif pattern was introduced in the year 1900. This set includes:
8 dinner size kn...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Watteau by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Watteau by Durgin Sterling Silver Dinner Size Flatware set - 74 pieces. This set includes:
12 Dinner Knives, blunt silverplated blades, 9 5/8"
12 Dinner Forks, 7 5/8"
12 Salad F...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Princess Patricia by Durg Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 90 Pcs Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company, Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Princess Patricia by Durgin / Gorham sterling silver dinner size flatware set - 90 pieces. This set includes:
12 dinner size knives, 9 1/2"
12 di...
Category
Early 20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Lenox by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 48 pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Lenox by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware set - 48 pieces. This set includes:
12 Knives with blunt stainless blades, 8 1/2"
12 Forks, 7 1/4"
12 Salad Forks, 6 1/8"
12 Small Teaspoons...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Wellington by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 34 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Wellington by Durgin sterling silver flatware set, 34 pieces. This set includes:
Eight knives, 8 7/8",
eight forks, 7",
eight salad forks, 5 7/8",
eight teaspoons, 5 5/8",
two ...
Category
Early 20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
New Queens by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 96 Pcs "W" Mono
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Exceptional New Queens by Durgin sterling silver dinner flatware set, 96 pieces. This shell motif pattern was introduced in the year 1900. This set includes:
8 dinner size knives, 9...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Madame Royale by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 148 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Madame Royale by Durgin sterling silver flatware set, 148 pieces. This set includes:
12 dinner size knives, 9 3/4"
12 dinner size forks, 7 1/2"
12 regular knives, 8 7/8"
...
Category
20th Century American Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chatham by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 109 Pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Dinner & Luncheon Chatham by Durgin, c1915, sterling silver flatware set - 109 pieces. This set includes:
8 dinner size knives, 9 5/8"
8 dinner size forks, 8"
8 regular...
Category
Early 20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chatham by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 132 Pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental dinner & Luncheon Chatham by Durgin sterling silver flatware set - 132 pieces. This set includes:
12 dinner size knives 9 5/8",
12 dinner size forks 8",
12 luncheon kni...
Category
Early 20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Wellington by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 146 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Wellington by Durgin sterling silver flatware set, 146 pieces. This set includes:
12 knives, 8 7/8",
12 forks, 7",
12 salad forks, 5 7/8",
12 teaspoons, 5 5/8",
12 gumbo soup s...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chatham by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Service for 12 Set of 72 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Timeless heirloom quality Chatham by Durgin sterling silver flatware set, 72 pieces. This set includes:
12 knives, 8 3/4".
12 forks, 7 1/4".
12 salad forks, 6 1/8".
12 teaspoons, 5 3/4".
12 cocktail forks, 5 1/2".
12 gumbo spoons...
Category
Early 20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Fashion Lane by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 54 Pcs Scarce
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Scarce "Fashion Lane" by Durgin circa 1955 sterling silver Flatware set, 54 pieces. This set includes:
8 knives, 8 7/8"
8 forks, 7 1/4"
8 salad forks, 6 1/2"
16 teaspoons, 5 7/8"
8...
Category
20th Century Durgin Silver Company
Materials
Sterling Silver
Durgin Silver Company furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Durgin Silver Company furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of sterling silver and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Durgin Silver Company furniture, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Shreve & Co., Tuttle Silver Company, and Frank Smith Co.. Prices for Durgin Silver Company furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $390 and can go as high as $31,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,948.
Creators Similar to Durgin Silver Company
Questions About Durgin Silver Company
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024Yes, the Derby Silver Company is real silver. However, most pieces produced by the maker are silver-plate, meaning they have a finish that consists of a thin layer of genuine silver. The remainder of the silver-plated tableware and decorative objects are made of base metal. Founded in 1872, the Derby Silver Company was an American silversmith best known for its line of silver-plated mirrors, combs, brushes, clocks, flatware and tea sets. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Derby Silver Company silver wares.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 10, 2024Yes, the International Silver Company produced real silver products. The hallmark "IS," however, refers to the brand and does not indicate purity, as International Silver mass produced silverplated flatware and holloware as well as sterling. In order to determine if the piece is real silver, look for the standard marks that indicate purity — the number 92.5 or 925 and the word “sterling” are indicators of sterling quality.
When an object is described as “silver” or “sterling silver,” it means that it contains 92.5% pure silver (the remaining 7.5% consists of copper and/or other alloys). The purity standard was first established in England and later adopted in the United States. The mark on antique British sterling-silver pieces is the lion passant (a lion walking to the left), which signifies a work is 92.5 percent pure sterling; if it’s not there, it is likely silverplate — or not English.
International Silver was a Connecticut conglomerate formed from 17 companies in 1898. It was once the largest manufacturer of silver and silver-plated products in the world.
Find antique International Silver Company serveware, platters and decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024No, the International Silver Company is not still in business. In 1981, the company stopped producing silver due to financial troubles. By 1983, its assets had undergone complete liquidation, and in 1984, Katy Industries Inc. purchased the company. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of International Silver Company silver wares.