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.
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...
Sterling Silver
$32,500 / set
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...
Sterling Silver
Sibray, Hall & Co Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Fruit Serving Set
By Sibray, Hall & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver fruit serving set - boxed; an addition to our dining silverware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver fruit serving set consists of a knife, pair of fruit serving spoons...
Silver
Allan Adler Sterling Silver Serving Fork, Mid-Century, 1958
By Allan Adler
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Allan Adler Town and Country serving fork. Measures 9.25" tall. Good overall condition, shows fine scratches to sterling. Stamped on backside. Rivet ...
Sterling Silver
$1,425
H 8.57 in W 2 in D 1.5 in
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...
Sterling Silver
$133,043 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 300 Pieces Massive
By Durgin-Gorham 1
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is "Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays two chrysanthemums in bloom among leaves and buds. The chrysanthemum flowers flow down beautifully onto the tines, bowls and serving areas of many of the pieces. Chrysanthemum by Durgin...
Sterling Silver
$38,974 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Chrysanthemum by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 126 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
One of Durgin's most popular and beautiful patterns is '"Chrysanthemum". The design is of leaves and chrysanthemum buds and blooms on the front. The back displays 2 chrysanthemums in bloom among leaves and buds. The chrysanthemum flowers flow down beautifully onto the tines, bowls, and serving areas of many of the pieces. Superb Chrysanthemum by Durgin...
Sterling Silver
$14,394 / set
H 24 in W 24 in D 24 in
Acanthus by Mappin & Webb Silverplated Flatware Set Service Dinner 328 Pieces
By Mappin & Webb
Located in Big Bend, WI
Mappin & Webb is a true British treasure with over 241 years of tradition and historical significance in the world of silver and jewelry. Renowned for combining timeless craftsmanshi...
Silver Plate
$104Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.5 in W 4.75 in D 13 in
Fish Serving Knife Fork Set Sterling Silver Celluloid Stainless Firth Staybrite
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
Here is an elegant fish serving knife and fork set with celluloid (early plastic) handles, a sterling silver band on each piece (which I have not polished) and stainless steel knife ...
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
$465
H 6 in W 3.85 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Signed David Anderson Swedish Silver-Plate Meat Or Bread Fork Viking
By David Anderson
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage heavy gauge signed David Andersen silver-plate meat or bread fork is 60 Grams. From the 50's or 60's. He is a well known designer and metalsmith from Norway. The top par...
Silver Plate
$1,200
H 9 in W 2 in D 0.75 in
Tiffany Sterling Silver "Vine" Pattern with Pea Pod Motif Cold Meat Fork
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tiffany's "Vine" pattern is not just one pattern, but thirteen different motifs of flowers, grains, vegetables and fruits. Produced between 1872-1904 this weighty sterling silver cold meat fork has the wraparound pea pod motif. Tiffany produced this pattern during the Aesthetic movement...
Sterling Silver
$895
H 8 in W 21 in D 13.75 in
Antique Hotel McAlpin International Silver Co Silver Soldered Serving Meat Dome
By International Silver
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Antique "Hotel McAlpin" International Silver Co Silver Soldered 21” Serving Platter Dome. Item features what appears to be a hand carved monogram (illegible) to one side, very ...
Silver Plate
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Strawberry Pattern Berry Spoon
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Antique sterling silver berry casserole spoon by Tiffany & Co. in the Strawberry pattern. Tiffany's strawberry pattern was introduced in the early 1900s. This spoon features the s...
Sterling Silver
$12,500 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Empire by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set For 8 Service 52 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Dinner Size Empire by Durgin sterling silver flatware set - 52 pieces. This pattern was introduced in the year 1895 and features a crown above a central cartouche. This set includes:...
Sterling Silver