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 Gorham Manufacturing Company, Black, Starr & Frost, William B. Durgin
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 Spaulding & Company, William B. Durgin
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
Elegant American Edwardian Sterling Silver and Crystal Vase
By William B. Durgin
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Edwardian sterling silver and crystal vase. Made by Durgin (later part of Gorham) in Concord, NH. Sterling silver base comprising pierced cylinder on urn mount terminating in upward tapering shaft on raised foot with reeded rim. Crystal vessel with wavy petal rim and bellied bowl terminating in cone encased in tapering cylinder. Pretty acid-etched flowers with cut stems and petals. Silver hallmark includes no. 55 and Chicago retailer’s stamp CD Peacock...
Crystal, 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
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
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
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
Victorian Pair of Sterling Silver-Mounted Cut Crystal Vases
Located in New York, NY
Victorian pair of sterling silver-mounted cut crystal vases, England, circa 1895. Each heavy vase stands 7" high x 3 1/4" diameter at widest point. Crystal "twists" near the base of ...
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
Pair of Hawkes Crystal and Sterling Vases
By Hawkes and Son Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Presenting a pair of Hawkes vases; crystal with sterling silver bases. The crystal is in the "diamond cut" pattern with slight curves alon...
Crystal, 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
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 Cartier, Baldwin & Miller, Gorham Manufacturing Company, Tiffany & Co.
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
$875
H 1 in W 7 in D 5.5 in
American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Repousse Engraved Floral Decorative Dish
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Art Nouveau sterling decorative dish was realized in the United States circa 1900. It features repousse stylized floral motifs, apparently morning glory flowers and abst...
Sterling Silver
$1,901
H 14.18 in Dm 7.88 in
Antique Silver Vase, Art Nouveau Green Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Early 20C
Located in Wembley, GB
Art Nouveau Green Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Early 20th Century An exceptional Art Nouveau decorative vase, featuring a luminous green art glass body encased in an exquisitely ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver