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William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

American, 1833-1905

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 tablewareserving piecestea 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.

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Creator: William B. Durgin
Wm. B. Durgin Co. Regent Pattern Sterling Silver Cold Meat Serving Fork
Wm. B. Durgin Co. Regent Pattern Sterling Silver Cold Meat Serving Fork

Wm. B. Durgin Co. Regent Pattern Sterling Silver Cold Meat Serving Fork

By William B. Durgin

Located in valatie, NY

Wm. B. Durgin Co. Regent Pattern Sterling Silver Cold Meat Serving Fork. This pattern is known for its ornate scroll, fan, and trellis motifs on the front and back of the handle. One...

Category

Early 20th Century American William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

William B. Durgin Sterling Silver Bon Bon Spoon Pattern DUS18, c1890
William B. Durgin Sterling Silver Bon Bon Spoon Pattern DUS18, c1890

William B. Durgin Sterling Silver Bon Bon Spoon Pattern DUS18, c1890

By William B. Durgin

Located in valatie, NY

William B. Durgin Sterling Silver Bon Bon Spoon Pattern DUS18, c1890. A beautiful pattern with reticulated bowl and shell motifs on bowl and handle. Also can be used to serve berries...

Category

Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Durgin Wentworth Flatware Service, 167 Pieces
Durgin Wentworth Flatware Service, 167 Pieces

Durgin Wentworth Flatware Service, 167 Pieces

By William B. Durgin

Located in New Orleans, LA

This rare 167-piece Wentworth sterling silver flatware service was crafted by the celebrated William B. Durgin Silver Company. Each piece bears an intricate, hand-chased pattern featuring florettes, acanthus leaves, scrolls, and an open cartouche surrounding a monogram. Originally retailed by Grogan Company, the leading retail jeweler in Pittsburgh at the turn of the century, this set of 12 is truly exceptional. The set comes complete in its original fitted, suede-lined case. American, circa 1902 Marked "STERLING" with script "D" mark for Durgin and retailer's mark "Grogan Company" Case: 6" high x 23 1/8" wide x 18 7/16" deep This service comprises: 12 dinner knives12 lunch knives12 butter spreaders12 dinner forks12 lunch forks12...

Category

20th Century American Other William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Durgin Scroll Sterling Silver Sandwich Tongs
Antique Durgin Scroll Sterling Silver Sandwich Tongs

Antique Durgin Scroll Sterling Silver Sandwich Tongs

By William B. Durgin, Bigelow Kennard & Co.

Located in New York, NY

Scroll sterling silver sandwich tongs. Made by William B. Durgin in New Hampshire, ca 1890. U-form; stems have cast repousse-style leafi...

Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Beautiful Tall American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Vase
Beautiful Tall American Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Vase

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...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Elegant American Edwardian Sterling Silver and Crystal Vase
Elegant American Edwardian Sterling Silver and Crystal Vase

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...

Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

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Pair of Hawkes Crystal and Sterling Vases
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20th Century Art Nouveau Revival Italian Sterling Silver Vase
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Jens Quistgaard Odin Flatware for Dansk, 59 Pieces
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Located in Amarillo, TX

Jens Quistgaard Odin for Dansk Silverware, 59 pieces. Germany, circa 1958. Stainless steel. Labeled "Dansk Design Germany."

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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Colfax by Durgin-Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 130 pcs S Mono
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Located in Big Bend, WI

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Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham
Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham

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...

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Georg Jensen Denmark "Ornamental" #83 Pattern Sterling Silver Serving Knife
Georg Jensen Denmark "Ornamental" #83 Pattern Sterling Silver Serving Knife

Georg Jensen Denmark "Ornamental" #83 Pattern Sterling Silver Serving Knife

By Georg Jensen

Located in St. Louis, MO

Rare Georg Jensen solid Sterling server in the rare pattern number 83. This wonderful piece was designed in 1913 by Georg Jensen and is part of the Jensen Silversmith collection of r...

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Antique Silver Vase, Art Nouveau Green Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Early 20C
Antique Silver Vase, Art Nouveau Green Glass Vase with Silver Overlay, Early 20C

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Located in Wembley, GB

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Georg Jensen Blossom Sterling Silver Sugar Tongs
Georg Jensen Blossom Sterling Silver Sugar Tongs

Georg Jensen Blossom Sterling Silver Sugar Tongs

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Located in Hellerup, DK

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Previously Available Items
10 Antique Assorted Sterling Silver Twisted Scalloped Serving Spoons 184g
10 Antique Assorted Sterling Silver Twisted Scalloped Serving Spoons 184g

10 Antique Assorted Sterling Silver Twisted Scalloped Serving Spoons 184g

By William B. Durgin, Whiting Manufacturing Company, Towle Silversmiths, Bruckmann & Söhne, William B. Kerr & Co.

Located in Dayton, OH

Lot of 10 antique sterling and one 800 silver sugar / tea spoons in a variety of styles and designs including shell bowls, twisted handles, floral motifs and one enameled. Makers inc...

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Early 20th Century William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

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William B. Durgin Co. 1900 Edwardian Neo Classic Center Bowl 925 Sterling Silver
William B. Durgin Co. 1900 Edwardian Neo Classic Center Bowl 925 Sterling Silver

William B. Durgin Co. 1900 Edwardian Neo Classic Center Bowl 925 Sterling Silver

By Durgin Silver Company, William B. Durgin

Located in Miami, FL

An impressive center bowl designed by William B. Durgin Co. Magnificent very rare piece, created in the United States by the silversmiths and silverware makers William B. Durgin Co, back in the turn of the 19th century, circa 1900. This fabulous center vase bowl was crafted with Edwardian neoclassical patterns in solid .925/.999 sterling silver with high polished finish. The vase stand in a rounded pedestal foot and suited with a pair of elaborated handles with multiples garlands and tassels. The upper border is adorned with four groups of organic motifs of flowers chiseled in low and high relief and a fine bright cut decoration along the rim. The design of this piece is extremely interesting as it brings together various artistic movements such as the Art Nouveau, the Edwardian, the Neoclassical with a hint of neo-Gothic details and the Greek Revival. Has a total weight of 972 Grams and a measurements of 389 mm by 375 mm by 120 mm (12.16 x 14.75 x 4.75 Inches). Stamped with the maker's mark cartouche with a D associated to William B. Durgin Co, the model number and signed, "D STERLING 930C". NutmegGraters.Com ~ American Sterling Nutmeg Grater By Durgin William B. Durgin Co. (1853 - 1924) was a noted American sterling silver manufacturer based in Concord, New Hampshire, and one of the largest flatware and hollowware manufacturers in the United States. Over the period between the 1905-1924 it was merged into the Gorham Manufacturing Company. The company was founded by the silversmith William Butler Durgin (July 29, 1833 - May 6, 1905). Durgin was born in Campton, New Hampshire, and from 1849-1853 apprenticed to Boston silversmith Newell Harding. In the 1840s Durgin moved back to Concord, where he opened a small shop making spoons opposite the Free Bridge Road. He incorporated as William B. Durgin Company in 1853, in 1854 added the manufacture of silverware, and in 1866 established a large brick factory on School Street. In 1905, after the death of both Durgin and his son, George F. Durgin, the company was acquired by Gorham through a long process that culminated with an official purchase in 1924. Production was moved to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1931. The company made the Davis Cup, the silver service for the battleship USS New Hampshire, and medals for St. Paul's School. Its Fairfax flatware...

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Late 19th Century North American Edwardian Antique William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Large Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Crystal Inkwell by Durgin
Large Sterling Silver-Mounted Controlled Bubbles Crystal Inkwell by Durgin

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...

Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Set of 12 Gorham Modern Sterling Silver Nautical Place Card Menu Holders
Set of 12 Gorham Modern Sterling Silver Nautical Place Card Menu Holders

Set of 12 Gorham Modern Sterling Silver Nautical Place Card Menu Holders

By William B. Durgin, Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Set of 12 Nautical sterling silver place card holders. Made by Durgin (part of Gorham) in Providence, ca 1950. Each: Open knotwork with back clip mounted to fluted scallop shell bowl...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pretty Antique American Sterling Silver Scallop Shell Bowl
Pretty Antique American Sterling Silver Scallop Shell Bowl

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...

Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian William B. Durgin Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

William B. Durgin serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.

William B. Durgin serveware, ceramics, silver and glass are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of sterling silver and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of William B. Durgin serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by William B. Durgin were created in the Art Deco style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Graff, Washbourne & Dunn, Shreve, Crump & Low, and Pairpoint Glassworks. Prices for William B. Durgin serveware, ceramics, silver and glass can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $300 and can go as high as $32,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,400.