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 William B. Durgin silver.
Antique American Modern Classical Sterling Silver 18-Inch Vase
By William B. Durgin, Black, Starr & Frost, Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Modern Classical sterling silver vase. Made by William B. Durgin in Concord, New Hampshire, ca 1920. Curvilinear with molded mouth and base; tapering sides and domed foot. Fully mark...
Sterling Silver
Beautiful Tall American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Vase
By William B. Durgin, Spaulding & Company
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau sterling silver vase. Made by William B. Durgin in Concord. Conical with tall neck. Chased and engraved entwined tendrils with “shooting” fl...
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Art Nouveau-Style, sterling silver, pedestal-based vase, Gorham Mfg. Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1923. Hammered in design and chased with flowers. Measures...
Sterling Silver
Large Celadon Ceramic Vase, American Classical, Glazed, USA, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Large hand formed ceramic vase with a large neck adorned with miniature “handles”
Ceramic
Sterling Silver Italian - Cachepot Vase Holder
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Round Flower Cachepot in Solid Sterling Silver. Made entirely by hand, it has been finely embossed and chiseled on the central body giving it the design of a rough or rock wall. This...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Epergne / Centrepiece / Vase 1911
Located in London, GB
An Antique solid Silver Epergne Centrepiece with a large oval central basket supporting a tall trumpet shaped vase on top of an impressive concave shaped stand. The central stand has...
Sterling Silver
20th Italian Sterling Silver Vase
By Argenterie Lala
Located in VALENZA, IT
Elegant and refined sterling silver vase. Entirely handcrafted and embossed with a torchon motif, the vase has been finely hammered all over the body. The mouth of the vase is shap...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Art Nouveau Revival Italian Sterling Silver Vase
By Ferrari Milano
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sterling silver vase in Art Nouveau - Liberty style made entirely by hand. The preparation of the structure of the vase required several processing times. The vase was made in differ...
Sterling Silver
XX Century TIFFANY Sterling Silver vase
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in VALENZA, IT
A conical sterling silver vase produced by Tiffany between 1907 and 1947. The round, double-stepped base is beautifully proportioned for the size of the vase, making it very stable. ...
Sterling Silver
Large Antique 20" Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Trumpet Flower Vase
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique large trumpet form silver flower vase. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. Decorated throughout with intricate engraving and with a gold wash to both the footrim...
Sterling Silver
$1,200 / set
H 11.75 in Dm 2.75 in
Matched Pair of Tall Mid-Century American Sterling Silver Flower or Bud Vases
By Gorham Manufacturing Company, Tiffany & Co., Baldwin & Miller, Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine matched pair of tall bud vases. By Baldwin & Miller. In sterling silver. Each in an elongated trumpet form and medial band. Simply a wonderful pair of sterling flower vases...
Sterling Silver
American Sterling Silver Overlay Black Fan Shaped Vase
Located in Miami Beach, FL
American sterling silver overlay black fan shaped vase featuring a foliate design on the top area of both sides. The boots edge and top edge also have ...
Sterling Silver
Cut Crystal and Sterling Silver Vase
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Oval vase with cut crystal details accentuated by a sterling silver band at the top. Band is stamped: Made in Germany/ 925 Sterling Silver and has a small maker's stamp (see image 3).
Crystal, Sterling Silver
19th Century Sterling Silver Decorative Vase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th Century Italian sterling silver decorative vase with two side handles and exterior design details. The vase features a finely chase body with applied foliate motifs and semi pre...
Sterling Silver
Large Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Crystal Inkwell by Durgin
By William B. Durgin
Located in New York, NY
Large, Edwardian-Period, sterling silver mounted controlled bubbles design crystal inkwell with hinged lid, William B. Durgin Co., Concord, New Hampshire, Ca. 1900. Measures 4 1/2 in...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Pretty Antique American Sterling Silver Scallop Shell Bowl
By William B. Durgin
Located in New York, NY
Pretty sterling silver scallop shell. Made by Durgin (later part of Gorham) in Concord, New Hampshire. Narrow with deep flutes, scalloped...
Sterling Silver