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. Born to a farming family in Campton, New Hampshire, in 1833, Durgin grew up learning about farming 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-Gorham silver on 1stDibs.
Pair of Sterling Silver Swan Decorative Bowls Signed Gorham Sterling
By Durgin-Gorham 1
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful pair of Art Deco Sterling silver swan decorative bowls were executed by the legendary American silver maker, Gorham circa 1920. They feature elegantly streamlined demi...
Sterling Silver
$1,989Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 23.63 in
Antique Silver Cup, Large ICE BUCKET European Decorative Bowl Cup Deer Head
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver cup or large Decorative ice bucket, fruit cup, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, height approx. 60 ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Reproduction of Paul Revere Sterling Silver Bowl
Located in East Hampton, NY
Reproduction of Paul Revere sterling silver bowl. Engraved "Rosemary Lee 1957.
Silver
$489Sale Price|25% Off
H 7.76 in W 5.91 in D 1.58 in
Antique Sterling Silver Bowl Small Fruit Basket Relief Pictori Decorative Object
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver bowl small fruit basket with relief, openwork decorative object hallmarked sterling silver oval bon bon dish bowl intricate cut out ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,325 / set
H 10.5 in W 5.38 in D 4.25 in
Pair of American Edwardian Sterling Silver Candlesticks by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Edwardian sterling silver candlesticks. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1905. Each: Ovoid, tapering, and fluted shaft with interlaced script monogram; stepped oval foot. Urn ...
Sterling Silver
$3,500
H 1.5 in W 14.25 in D 12 in
Antique Signed Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Serving Dish with Floral Decoration
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique sterling silver serving dish or tray was made by the renowned Tiffany and Co. of the United States in approximately 1860 in the period Victorian style. This oval sterling silver tray...
Sterling Silver
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 1 in Dm 6 in
Sterling Silver " Lilly of the Valley " Bon Bon Dish by Whiting Division
By Whiting Manufacturing Company
Located in Huntington, NY
Sterling Silver " Lilly of the Valley " Bon Bon Dish by Whiting Division Whiting had small production but produced exceptional handmade silverware in relatively small quantities. This Company's most important designer was Charles Osborne...
Sterling Silver
$836Sale Price|25% Off
H 5.91 in W 12.21 in D 5.52 in
Large Antique Silver Cup Rose Silver & Crystal European Decorative Bowl Cup
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver cup or large Decorative food or fruit cup, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, Height 14cm, Width 31c...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century sterling silver footed centerpiece bowl with exterior floral band design details and gold wash interior. The centerpiece bowl is in great antique condition. Minor we...
Gold, Sterling Silver
$816Sale Price|50% Off
H 6.3 in W 16.15 in D 5.91 in
Large Antique Silver Cup JARDINJÄR Silver & Crystal European Decorative Bowl Cup
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver cup or large Decorative food or fruit cup, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, Height 15cm, Width 41c...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$6,000 / set
H 1.75 in W 11 in D 9.25 in
Pair of Antique Tiffany Victorian Classical Sterling Silver Bowls
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Victorian Classical sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Solid oval well with chased scalloped border. Sides tapering open diaper and applied pendant flow...
Sterling Silver
Octopus Sterling Silver and Crystal Tureen
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in Milan, IT
Original octopus tureen in crystal and silver, handmade by Florentine silversmiths, the Lisi Brothers. The hyper realistic centerpiece is transformed into a tureen by adding a detach...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$2,900
H 2.75 in W 13 in D 9.6 in
Antique Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Bowl with Repouse Floral Decoration
By Gorham
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique and very ornate bowl was made by the renowned Gorham Company of the United States and dates to approximately 1890 and done in the period Art N...
Sterling Silver