{"product_id":"durgin-du-barry-asparagus-fork","title":"Durgin Gilt Sterling Silver Du Barry Asparagus Fork","description":"\u003cp\u003eDurgin sterling silver asparagus fork server, partially gilt, in the Du Barry pattern, beautifully adorned with floral and geometric motifs. It measures 10'' in length by 3 1\/8'' in width, weighs 4.3 troy ounces, and bears hallmarks and a monogram as shown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWilliam B. Durgin Company (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 1905-1924 it was merged into the Gorham Manufacturing Company.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe company was founded by 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe company made the Davis Cup, the silver service for the battleship USS New Hampshire, and medals for St. Paul's School. Its Fairfax flatware was for some years the best-selling pattern in the United States. Durgin’s masterful silver is displayed in major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease feel free to ask us any questions, and please see our other listings. We hand polish all items before shipping them out, but if there is interest for a professional polishing and\/or engraving removal, we can take care of that for an additional charge and with delayed shipping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nathan Horowicz Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48888465948924,"sku":"407976","price":675.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0322\/6710\/8411\/files\/407976-1-removebg.png?v=1774538118","url":"https:\/\/www.nathanhsilver.com\/products\/durgin-du-barry-asparagus-fork","provider":"Nathan Horowicz Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}