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 Edwardian Classical Sterling Silver 6-Inch Vase
By William B. Durgin
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Classical sterling silver vase, ca 1910. Cylindrical neck with faceted and scalloped mouth; globular bowl on stepped foot. Chased ribboned floral garland on neck and girdle...
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
$6,778
H 13.19 in W 12.6 in D 11.03 in
Large Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Epergne, Elkington & Co., 1908
By Elkington & Co.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1908 by Elkington & Co., this stately antique Edwardian sterling silver epergne features a central, large trumpet-shaped vase surrounded by four small...
Sterling Silver
italian Sterling Silver Vase
By PRIA & SARI
Located in VALENZA, IT
Sterling silver vase of a particular shape, completely handmade by modeling 925 silver plates giving it the shape of a flower. The body of the vase is conical in shape, narrow at the...
Sterling Silver
$1,590
H 11.42 in W 9.06 in D 6.11 in
Antique Edwardian Sterling Silver Presentation Cup with Interior Glass
Located in Miami, FL
A fine and impressive antique Edwardian English presentation cup. This impressive Edwardian presentation cup has a Campania form onto a knopped pedestal to a circular spreading foot...
Metal
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
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
Pair of Antique Edwardian Quality Satsuma Vases
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique Edwardian quality satsuma vases having wonderful hand painted panels in red, gold, blue and white decorated with wisemen. In perfect original condition. Dimensions:...
Ceramic
$7,985
H 12.05 in W 3.1 in D 3.1 in
Tiffany & Co. 1900 Charles L Tiffany Edwardian Art Nouveau Sterling Trumpet Vase
By Tiffany & Co., Charles L. Tiffany
Located in Miami, FL
Trumped vase designed by Tiffany & Co. Beautiful antique trumpet vase made at the Tiffany studios in New York city, between the 1900 and 1901. ...
Silver, 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
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Vase by Elkington & Co (1887)
By Frederick Elkington
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver vase with military interest (Durham Light Infantry); an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This fine antique Victorian sterling silver vase has a tapering cylindrical form to a domed circular spreading foot. The upper and lower portions of the body of the vase are embellished with embossed and chased stylized scrolling leaf and bead decoration in a swirl design. The body is further ornamented with a band of six cartouches amidst a shaped border accented with a leaf motif between each; four of the cartouches remain vacant. To one side there is a contemporary bright cut engraved crest of the Durham Light Infantry amidst the inscription ‘Presented to Officers, 3rd Bn, The Durham Light Infantry’, with the presentation inscription ‘Officers Race, won by, Lieut H J Sowerby, 1887’ to the other side. The upper rim of this impressive vase is encircled with an applied moulded border to the rim. The vase retains the original gilt interior. In 1758 General John Lambton of County Durham first raised the 68th Regiment of Foot as part of the British Army. This later amalgamated with another regiment to become The Durham Light Infantry in 1881. Condition This antique Victorian vase...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of antique Edwardian quality cut glass vases
Located in Ipswich, GB
Pair of antique Edwardian quality cut glass vases of an unusual tapering shape, fantastic cut glass detail standing on square bases.
Glass
$1,301Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 4.53 in D 4.53 in
Antique Spirit Decanter, English, Glass, Silver, Port, Brandy Bottle, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique spirit decanter. An English, glass and silver Port or Brandy bottle, dating to the early Edwardian period, hallmarked in 1902. Combining a distinctive glass form w...
Sterling Silver
Oversized Edwardian Threaded Glass and Sterling Silver Match Striker
By John Grinsell & Sons
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent oversized English match striker wither a sterling silver mount and well fully hallmarked for London, 1914 (slightly rubbed). It’...
Sterling Silver
Antique Edwardian Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Vases
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Edwardian sterling silver Art Nouveau vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. These exceptional antique Edwar...
Sterling Silver
$2,963
H 11.82 in Dm 4.93 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver Vase, Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., London 1907
By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1907 by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co., this exceptional Edwardian sterling silver vase is of a tapering cylindrical form with a flared rim. The body is de...
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