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
$2,137Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.9 in Dm 26.78 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 hinges. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, height approx. 60 ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$526Sale Price|20% 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
Antique Victorian 1899 Sterling Silver Presentation Bowl
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive, large Victorian English sterling silver presentation bowl made by Elkington & Co Ltd; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This...
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 New York, 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
$1,013
H 4.73 in W 11.03 in D 4.34 in
Antique Silver Cup Rose Silver & Crystal Jardiniere Decorative Bowl Cup
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Silver-Plated Repoussé Floral Basket with Glass Liner, 11 x 28 cm An elegant jardiniere and highly decorative antique silver-plated basket featuring exquisite repoussé floral decoration with richly sculpted roses, leaves, and scrolling foliage surrounding the entire body. Raised on delicate bun feet and fitted with a practical swing handle, this charming piece retains its original removable glass liner, making it both beautiful and functional. The basket reflects the refined craftsmanship associated with late Victorian and Edwardian silverwork, where naturalistic floral motifs were celebrated for their romantic appeal and artistic quality. The deeply embossed rose decoration creates exceptional visual depth, while the oval form and polished silver-plated finish enhance its timeless elegance. Perfect as a centerpiece, fruit basket, flower holder, wedding table decoration, vanity accessory, or luxury decorative accent, this versatile piece complements traditional, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Victorian, Hollywood Regency, and classic interior styles. A desirable addition for collectors of antique silverware, decorative arts, and fine table accessories, it offers both decorative charm and practical use. Dimensions: * Length: 28 cm * Width: 11 cm * Original glass liner included Antique silver plated basket, Victorian silver basket, Edwardian silver plate, floral repoussé basket, rose decorated basket, antique centerpiece, silver table decoration, antique fruit basket, decorative silverware, antique serving basket, silver plated centerpiece, Art Nouveau floral design, antique home décor, luxury interior accessory, collectible silver plate, vintage flower basket, decorative arts, English silver plate, antique tableware, elegant centerpiece bowl. Perfect gift for collectors, wedding gift, anniversary gift, housewarming gift, Mother’s Day gift, luxury home décor gift, interior designer gift, antique silver gift...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, 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
$1,060Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Garrard & Company Edwardian Antique Sterling Silver Basket
By Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London, in 1908 by Garrard & Co., this pretty, Edwardian, sterling silver basket, features pierced decoration, and a ribbon and reed border. The basket measures 8.5 inc...
Sterling Silver
$1,468Sale Price / item|20% 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
French Empire Revival Silver-Plated Jardinière / Centrepiece Bowl with Gilt Bronze Mounts, Early 20th Century An exceptionally elegant French Empire Revival silver-plated jardinière ...
Silver Plate, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$591Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.06 in Dm 6.3 in
Antique Silver-Plated Ice Bucket with Original Tongs 23 × 16 cm Home Decorative
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Silver-Plated Ice Bucket with Original Tongs, 23 × 16 cm — Early 20th Century Elevate your barware collection with this elegant antique silver-plated ice bucket, complete wi...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Lovely Sterling Silver Gorham Edwardian-Style Cake Basket on Pedestal Base
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, sterling silver, Edwardian-style, cake basket on pedestal base, Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, year-marked for 1916. Beautiful pierced work. Silver is li...
Sterling Silver
$931Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 12.6 in
Vintage Silver Cup, Small ICE BUCKET European Decorative Bowl Cup Deer Head
Located in Wembley, GB
Vintage silver-plated cup or small bowl decorative ice bucket, fruit cup, pressed, cast, and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinges. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, heigh...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$3,883
H 1.97 in W 7.49 in D 5.12 in
Rey Urban Unique Sterling Silver Dish Hand-Hammered Sweden 1960 Signed
Located in Paris, IDF
Rey Urban unique brutalist sterling silver rectangular Dish, hand Hammered in Finland 1960 The piece is signed by the artist and stamped by the manufacture. Dimensions 19cm x 13 c...
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 bowls. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Solid oval well with chased scalloped border. Sides tapering open diaper and applied pendant flo...
Sterling Silver
$500
H 1.25 in W 2.63 in D 4 in
BIRKS - Pair of Pierced Sterling Silver Candy Dishes - Canada - Mid 20th Century
By Henry Birks & Son
Located in Chatham, ON
BIRKS - Pair of vintage sterling silver candy or nut dishes - pierced basket design - signed - Canada - mid 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - all original - no loss - no d...
Sterling Silver