George W Shiebler Sterling Silver Value Guide to Flatware, Hollowware and Jewelry Items
- GREG ARBUTINE
- May 6
- 17 min read
What is George W Shiebler Sterling Silver Flatware, Jewelry and Hollowware Worth?
The following is a value guide on what George W Shiebler silver flatware, hollowware and jewelry is worth:
George W Shiebler was a prolific designer and manufacturer of sterling flatware, hollowware and jewelry in the 1880's to the early 1900's. He was unique in that he was the factory owner/manager as well as its lead designer. The level of his craftsmanship, design innovations and quality is nearly unparalled and in today's market his items are very valuable.
Part 1 of 5: Shiebler Flatware Pieces and Patterns:
Shiebler Common Flatware Patterns:
Worth double to triple scrap silver value at retail or more
Shiebler manufactured approximately 22 known flatware patterns that were intended for use by the public in mass. Some of these were plainer and those patterns are typically only going to be worth double scrap silver value at retail. More ornate and unusual in design patterns can be worth triple scrap silver or higher value at retail depending upon the condition, if free of monorgrams and configuration of the flatware services. The better patterns are: Acanthus, Amaryllis, American Beauty, Cupid, Chrysanthemum, Corinthian, Fiorito, Gipsy, Louvre, Luxembourg, Medallion and Rococo. Note: fancier and unusual individual serving and accessory ieces in the better patterns can we worth $90-$125 per troy ounce or more.
See more patterns at: https://www.silvermuseum.org/george-w-shiebler-antique-silver-guide
Shiebler Flora Pattern Decorated Spoons and Serving Pieces:
Worth double scrap to triple scrap silver at retail
Shiebler manufactured a series of floral spoons and serving pieces that they named "Flora." There are 12 known different patterns of spoons all with differentt flower types and approximately 8-10 other patterns that are available in various serving pieces. The flora pattern is not too common and worth double to triple scrap silver value at retail or at high wholesale.
Shiebler Fancy, Ornate and Unusual Serving Pieces:
Very Fancy and Rare Serving Pieces most are worth $75-$1,000 per troy ounce at retail
Aside from the 22 patterns of main line flatware and the beautiful flora patterns, Shiebler was prolific in designing and manufacturing many odds and ends pieces of serving utensils. There were an abundance of styles and piece types including asparagus servers, ornate serving spoons, sardine forks, stuffing spoons, fish sets, bon bons, letter openers, cheese scoops and more. The themes include: cornucopia, nautical, aesthetic bugs, knights, fleur de lis, leaf styles, ornate floral and many other designs. The values vary according to rarity, ornateness and unsual subject matters. They are worth $75-$1,000 per troy ounce or more depending on the pieces. Items with 3 dimensionality tend to be worth more as well as items with mixed metal or gold washed elements. Cornucopia, Fleur de Lis, Floral & Knights are worth between $75-$250 per troy ounce depending on item type.
Nautical or Narargansett style Intricately detailed pieces can go between $400-$1,000 per troy ounce. Bugs, Naturalistic and Aesthetic syles are worth usually between $200-$600 per troy ounce.
Leaf and Japonesque styles are worth usually between $250- $1,000 per troy ounce.
Bon Bon Server - This Shiebler Silver Fancy Server Chrysanthemum Bon Bon sold at Heritage Auctions for $507.88 and weighed 2.10 troy ounces which equates to: $241.42 per troy ounce More Info at: https://fineart.ha.com/itm/silver-and-vertu/flatware/a-shiebler-silver-gilt-bon-bon-george-w-shiebler-and-co-new-york-new-york-circa-1885-marks-winged-s-sterling-/a/5086-68462.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515
Leaf Serving Spoon Server - This Shiebler Silver Fancy Leaf Serving Spoon sold at Heritage Auctions for $3,107 and weighed 3.10 troy ounces which equates to: $1,002.25 per troy ounce More Info at: https://fineart.ha.com/itm/silver-and-vertu/flatware/a-shiebler-silver-gilt-serving-spoon-george-w-shiebler-and-co-new-york-new-york-circa-1875-marks-winged-s-/a/5076-68629.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515.
Nautical Sardine Server - This Shiebler Nautical Sardine Server sold at Heritage Auctions for $2,031.50 and weighed 2.64 troy ounces which equates to: $769.50 per troy ounce
Fish Slice with applied frog - This Shiebler Fish Slice sold at Heritage Auctions for $2,375.00 and weighed 6.65 troy ounces which equates to: $357.14 per troy ounce
Page Cutter - This Shiebler Floral Page Cutter sold at Heritage Auctions for $573.60 and weighed 4.19 troy ounces which equates to: $136.89 per troy ounce
Shiebler Sterling Silver Souvenir Spoons:
Shiebler Sterling Souvenir Spoons are worth between $75-$10,000 per troy ounce at retail.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, travelers would visit national parks and other tourist spots and purchase sterling souvenir spoons. These were comparable to how buying magnets are today in these gift shops.
Shiebler produced several souvenir spoons during their time of operation.
In the above photo:
The St. John's Spoon is worth around $600 at retail which equates to $300 per troy ounce.
The Boston Spoon is worth around $200 at retail which equates to $150 per troy ounce.
The Baltimore Spoon is worth around $200 at retail which equates to $150 per troy ounce.
Other Shiebler Spoons can trade between $75 to $300 each depending on their themes and ornateness.
In the ad slick below:
The Statue of Liberty is worth around $85 at retail which equates to $140 per troy ounce.
The Columbian Exposition is worth around $695 at retail which equates to $400 per troy ounce.
We've saved the very best for last:
Pictured below: The Columbian Exposition Enameled Spoon by Shiebler is worth around $10,000 at retail and at a weight of 1.70 troy ounces this equates to a staggering $5,882.35 per troy ounce.
Author Chris A. Mcglothlin - I made a new friend of Chris A. McGlothlin the author of "Gorham Spoons Sterling Souvenirs from a bygone Era."
He sent me this photo and told me that he sold this enameled Columbian Exposition Shiebler spoon to a private collector for $10,000!!! This equates to around $5,882.35 per troy ounce. Wow!!
Here is a link to buy his amazing book on Gorham Souvenir Spoons:
Shiebler St. John's Spoon. Here's more infor about the St. John's Spoon. This spoon is one of my very favorites made by Shiebler. The detail work and craftsmanship are absolutey incredible.
George W Shiebler Saint Johns Cathedral Sterling Silver Souvenir Spoon - Extremely Rare George W. Shiebler St. John's Cathedral Sterling Spoon Gold Wash 1890's Spoon. A work of art crafted with such precision and perfection the pictures really don't do it justice. It weighs over 2 troy ounces of silver. This exquisite souvenir spoon is a testament to the fine craftsmanship of George W. Shiebler Co. The spoon features a beautiful Gothic style with intricate detailing, making it a rare and unique piece. The spoon is made of high-quality sterling silver (.925) and has a gold wash finish that adds to its charm. The front handle of this spoon is a rich Gothic design, with a full-length figure of St. John, bearing a chalice. At his feet is an emblem, an eagle. The handle represents a tapering shaft, ending with a cross, which is partially encircled by Easter lilies. On the bowl appears a facsimile design of the new Cathedral of St. John, the Beloved Disciple. On the reverse side of the bowl is the original Greek text, "God is Love," while above the motto is the cross of the King's Daughters. This is absolutely one of the best there is of sterling silver souvenir spoons on the planet!
Shiebler Etruscan Medallion Homeric Pattern Sterling Flatware & Hollowware
Shiebler Etruscan Medallion Homeric Sterling Flatware and holloware is worth between $150-$700 per troy ounce at retail.
George Shiebler was one of the very first silversmith designers to use a neo-classical Greco-Roman style motif with busts of warriors, men and women in his silver designs in flatware, hollowware and jewelry. His particular design style had a "salvaged" look based on the archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Irregular "broken off" bits and allover spot hammering made the pieces have a look of the destructive power of hot ash and falling masonry. Not much of this line was made and today these pieces fetch very good money.
Homeric Etruscan Medallion Flatware and Hollowware is worth $150 to $700 per troy ounce.
A plain item with a medallion head/bust on it will be worth more in the lower range. A more ornate serving piece will be worth around $250-$300 per troy ounce. Any piece that has a gilt head/bust or is marked 14k Gold on the back will have a tendency to be more in the higher range depending on how ornate, opplulent and stylized it appears to be.
Pluses in value:
Traditional Pompeii Look - The more cracked up and primitive the patterns and the more look they like antiquities from a natural history or art museum, the more money they are worth.
More Medallion Heads - The more heads on the piece, the more value in general.
Gilt - If part of the server is gilt, or better yet the medallion head itself, the more money it is valued.
14K Mark - No matter the piece or style if has the 14k mark on back, that is helpful to being worth more.
Linear Lines, Ancient Symbols or Ancient Letters - The more ancient style decorations on the piece as in symbols, collages of lines, or even hieroglyphs the more valuable the piece will be.
Minuses in value:
Different Style than Greco-Roman - If it has the medallion head or heads (even if gilt or 14k) but the style of the piece looks nothing like something from antiquities, then the piece will be lower in value. Some of these pieces have an X mark on back for supposedly "Experimental." Unfortunately, some of these experimental pieces deviated from the core business model of the ancient look and incorporated more Victorian themes and these are less desirable.
Large areas that are plain - If the piece has a huge area that is nearly completely plain with no decoration or asymmetry then it will be worth less per troy ounce.
Huge ugly long monograms or inscriptions - If the piece has a long fancy monogram or a name inscription it will definitely detract from the value.
Wear or Worn - If the medallion heads show wear or are worn, it will really downgrade the value substantially
The Best to hope for is: The sweet spot is to have the item look like a real relic from Pompeii having ots of ruggedness, cracks, asymmetry and decoration plus have more than one medallion and have the heads be gilt in gold or be made of 14k and be of a lighter weight and be of some fancier piece type. See pic directly below as an example of this:
Etruscan Medallion Homeric Shiebler Bon Bon Server - This Shiebler Etruscan Medallion Homeric Bon Bon Server sold at Heritage Auctions for $687.50 and weighed 1 troy ounces which equates to: $687.50 per troy ounce
Part 2 of 5: George W. Shiebler Sterling Silver Jewelry:
Shiebler Etruscan Medallion Homeric Pattern Sterling Jewelry
Shiebler Etruscan Medallion Homeric Sterling Jewelry is worth between $250-$1,500 per troy ounce at retail.
George Shiebler first started the Homeric Etruscan Medallion line with the jewelry. These pieces in today's market are highly collectible by both antique silver collectors as well as fine jewelry enthusiasts. Because of the two different pools of buyers wanting items that are so limited, the prices of Shiebler Medallion jewelry pieces are higher than just flatware and hollowware pieces.
The same pluses and minuses listed above apply to the jewelry. The more fancier pieces with more medallions and items with more authentic antiquities looks will be valued higher.
Etruscan Medallion Homeric Shiebler Silver Brooch - This Shiebler Etruscan Medallion Homeric Silver Brooch sold at Heritage Auctions for $896.25 and weighed .60 troy ounces which equates to: $1,493.75 per troy ounce
Shiebler Art Nouveau Sterling Jewelry
Shiebler Art Nouveau Sterling Jewelry is worth between $150-$500 per troy ounce at retail.
George Shiebler also designed other lines of jewelry aside from the popular Homerican Etruscan Medallion pattern. These Art Nouveau styles are also very valuabl, but just not as much as the ancient line.
Part 3 of 5: Shiebler Sterling Silver Hollowware Items:
Shiebler Sterling Silver Hollowware Tableware Items
Shiebler Sterling Silver Hollowware is typically worth between $75 - $1,000 per troy ounce at retail.
George Shiebler was a designer and manufacturer of sterling silver holloware items. He made tea services, water pitchers, creamers & sugars, tea caddies, vases, loving cups, bowls, centerpieces, punch bowls and more.
The values of these vary widely. Plain - Plainer bodied items are usually valued between $75- $125 per troy ounce at retail.
Ornate Repousse and Chased - Ornate items are usually valued between $100- $250 per troy ounce at retail.
Japanese Influenced Naturalistic Leaf & Bug Forms - valued between $200- $1,000 per troy ounce at retail.
Homeric Etruscan Medallion - pieces are usually valued between $350- $1,000 per troy ounce at retail.
Shiebler Plain Bowl with Bugs - This Shiebler Plain Bowl with Bugs sold at Heritage Auctions for $1,312.50 and weighed 12.94 troy ounces which equates to: $101.42 per troy ounce
Ornate Heavily Chased Shiebler Vase - This Shiebler Vase sold at Heritage Auctions for $1,195 and weighed 5.2 troy ounces which equates to: $229.80 per troy ounce
Japanese Naturalistic Leaf Form Basket with Cherries - This Shiebler Basket sold at Christie's Auction House for $60,000 and weighed 58 troy ounces which equates to: $1,034.48 per troy ounce
More Info at: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5525777
Shiebler Hollowware with Bugs - This Shiebler Waste Bowl sold at Heritage Auctions for $2,750.00 and weighed 8.10 troy ounces which equates to: $339.50 per troy ounce
Shiebler Napkin Ring with Bug - This Shiebler napkin ring is on Etsy and can probably be bought for $1,650.00 and weighs 1.65 troy ounces which equates to: $1000.00 per troy ounce These are exceptionally rare!
Shiebler Sterling Silver Hollowware Match Safes
Shiebler Sterling Silver Match Safes are typically worth between $125 - $6,000 per troy ounce at retail.
George Shiebler was a maker of sterling silver match safes. Some of his very elaborate designs are amongst the most rarest in the world today. Both antique silver collectors as well as cigar aficionados collect the match safes and because of this, the prices on these are very high due to the 2 pools of demand.
The Shiebler match safes in this following picture gallery are some of the more common ones and range between $125- $350 per piece or the equivalent of $125 to $350 per troy ounce.
There are however, some Shiebler Match Safes that are worth in the high hundreds and even thousands of dollar each and per ounce. Here are a few examples of those:
Shiebler Match Safe with Medallion Heads - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $687.50 and weighed 1.15 troy ounces which equates to: $597.82 per troy ounce
Shiebler Match Safe with Dragon Fly and Spot Hammering - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $2,868.00 and weighed 1.46 troy ounces which equates to: $1,964.38 per troy ounce
Shiebler Match Safe Homeric Etruscan Medallion Theme - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $1,971.75 and weighed 1.18 troy ounces which equates to: $1,670.90 per troy ounce
Shiebler Match Safe Nautical Narragansett Theme - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $1,434.00 and weighed 1 troy ounces which equates to: $1,434.00 per troy ounce
Shiebler Match Safe Copper Owl and Wooded Theme - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $5,676.25 and weighed 1.20 troy ounces which equates to: $4,730.20 per troy ounce
Shiebler Match Safe Frog and Lily Pad Theme - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $625.00 and weighed 1.20 troy ounces which equates to: $520.83 per troy ounce
Part 4 of 5: George W. Shiebler Sterling Silver with Mixed Metal or Metals
Shiebler Sterling Silver with Mixed Metal
Shiebler Sterling Silver with Mixed Metal is typically worth between $75 - $1,000 per troy ounce at retail.
There were many manufacturers in the late 19th and early 20th century that utilized and experimented with the process of mixing of metals within its silver lines including Tiffany & Co, Gorham, Whiting, Durgin, Dominick & Haff and others. They would typically craft a piece with an all sterling silver base and then apply embellished elements of other metals onto the main body. These other metals would include copper, brass, gold, niello and others.
George Shiebler also employed the use of mixing metals with some of his silver wares. He is probably best known for his leaf form pieces that are adorned with copper bugs. Many of his Etruscan Homeric Medallion line pieces were also combined with gilt elments or 14k gold.
Here is a short value guide on Shiebler Mixed Metal Items:
Plainer more contemporary Items with mixed metal: are worth between $75 to $200 per troy ounce.
Bug Form Hollowware Pieces with mixed metal: are worth between $150 to $350 per troy ounce.
Bug Form Flatware Pieces with mixed metal: are worth between $150 to $600 per troy ounce.
Elaborate Fancier Pieces with mixed metal: are worth between $200 to $1,000 per troy ounce.
Etruscan Medallion Homeric Pieces with mixed metal: are worth between $125 to $1,000 per troy ounce.
Napkin Rings with Bugs with mixed metal: are worth between $600 to $1,000 per troy ounce.
Match Safes with mixed metal: are worth between $600 to $5,000 per troy ounce.
Here are examples with sold prices:
Shiebler Set of 4 Servers Contemporary Theme Mixed Metal - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $850 and weighed 10.99 troy ounces which equates to: $77.98 per troy ounce
Shiebler Bowl with Mixed Metal Bug - Sold at Christies Auction House for $1375.00 and weighed 7 troy ounces which equates to: $196.42 per troy ounce
More Info at: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5559165
Shiebler Creamer & Sugar Bowl with Mixed Metal Bug - Sold at Christies Auction House for $2,750.00 and weighed 14 troy ounces which equates to: $196.42 per troy ounce
More Info at: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5172695
Shiebler Large Bowl with Mixed Metal Bug - Sold at Live Auctioneers for $2,100.00 and weighed 6 troy ounces which equates to: $350.00 per troy ounce
More Info at: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=shiebler%20mixed%20metal&sort=-relevance&status=archive
Shiebler Flask with multiple embellishments Mixed Metal - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $5,000 and weighed 5.80 troy ounces which equates to: $862.06 per troy ounce
Shiebler Pair of Napking Rings with Mixed Metal Bugs - Sold at Heritage Auctions for $3,585 and weighed 3.40 troy ounces which equates to: $1,054.41 per troy ounce
Part 5 of 5: George W. Shiebler & Company History and Manufacturers Marks
Shiebler Sterling Silver Manufacturers Marks & Logos
Shiebler Sterling Silver had pretty consisent makers marks. Here are some examples:
George W. Shiebler Sterling Silver History:
We have excerpted 3 different historical accounts of the History of George W. Shieber Co.
From: Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers by Dorothy T. Rainwater & Martin and Colette Fuller
GEORGE W. SHIEBLER & CO.
New York, New York
Geo. W. Shiebler was first employed as a salesman for the firm of Jahne, Smith & Co. in 1867. He remained with them until the deaths of both Jahne and Smith about 1870-71 when the firm was succeeded by Hadenpyl, Tunison & Shiebler, manufacturers of gold chains. In 1873 or 1874 Shiebler purchased the business of Coles & Reynolds, manufacturers of silver spoons. On March 4, 1876, with a force of five men, he began business under his own name. A few months later he bought out the business of John Polhamus, an old and recognized silversmith, and merged this plant with his own. A short time later he purchased the factory of M. Morgan, who had succeeded Albert Coles, another silver-smith. This plant he merged with the oth-ers. The flatware dies of A.&W. Wood and Henry Hebbard and Hebbard & Polhamus were added to his plant. He also succeeded Theo. Evans & Co., probably in the 1870s.
A few years later he moved the factory operations to Brooklyn. On January 1, 1892 the firm was incorporated. George W Shiebler was president and Wm. F.
Shiebler, treasurer. It was out of business before 1915. In 1892 there were reported negotiations underway to combine with the Gorham Company but no confirmation has been found.
In the beginning the Shiebler firm made only spoons and forks but this was gradually expanded until they produced the largest line of novelties in silver extant at the time. They were especially noted for their medallion work, inspired by the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, and their transparent enamel work. Raised Greek mottoes appeared on the articles giving them the appearance of the antique.
This type of work was applied to brooches, sleeve buttons and bangles and was later extended to forks, spoons and holloware.
Oxidized silver had until then been a failure on the market but when introduced by Shiebler met with instant success. Another one of his innovations was silver leaves tinted in all the rich autumn colors. This work was applied to spoons, berry bowls, pitchers and other articles. Shiebler is also credited with the introduction of Renaissance open work style in jewelry, bonbonnieres, dishes, trays and spoons.
(Mark of an old silversmith named
Platt, whose business was acquired by Shiebler. Probably firm of Platt & Broth-ers, thimble makers, N.Y.C. 1836-46
From The MET:
George W. Shiebler and Company was a highly innovative and influential New York City firm that produced a diverse array of artistic silver wares and jewelry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. During the later years of the nineteenth century a passion arose in both Europe and America for jewelry inspired by ancient coins. An 1892 "Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review article on the Shiebler firm described this "curio medallion work" as looking "as though it had been unearthed at Pompeii and Herculanaeum." The same article attests to the popularity of the line, stating that sales of what Shiebler described as his "Homeric Style" jewelry were
"unprecedented perhaps in the history of the trade."
From The Chicago Art Institute:
The nineteenth century saw tremendous growth and change in the American silver industry. The 1859 discovery of the Comstock lode, the richest silver deposit in the country, expanded domestic production of silver objects; technological advancements in manufacturing increased output and allowed for a variety of new forms; and the rise of global trade and international exhibitions led to an unforeseen diversity of designs. Established firms such as Tiffany & Co., Gorham Manufacturing Company, and the International Silver Company continued to enhance their presence alongside new firms eager to compete in the vastly expanded marketplace.
George W. Shiebler was one such entrepreneur to emerge during this boom era, producing some of the most innovative and artistic objects of his time. Born in Baltimore, Shiebler began his career in Washington, D.C., as an operator for the American Telegraph Company before entering the metals industry in New York in
1867. He started as a traveling salesman for the gold manufacturer Jahne, Smith, and Company, but soon established himself as a partner when he, A. J. G. Ho-denpyl, and Pierre T. Tunison absorbed the firm in 1870. Shiebler withdrew from the partnership in 1874 and went into business for himself, acquiring a number of small silver manufacturers under his own name? Although he started out producing only flatware, he aggressively expanded his production to include hollowware, jewelry, and other silver W. Shiebler and Company, he employed between 160 and 170 individuals across every stage of the production process, from forging plates and ingots to planishing and applying ornamentation.' According to an account of his business published in the Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review in 1892, Shiebler "was convinced that in order to succeed he would have to depend upon originality of design; that his products would have to be out of [sic] the beaten track."*
During its founder's lifetime, George W. Shiebler and Company's broad repertoire of wares and innovative craftsmanship enjoyed critical success, praised by one writer for "evidence of originality and taste in the designing and expertness and carefulness in the executing."" It is likely that Shiebler's work was also appreciated abroad, as the bowl bears not only the winged mark of the company, but also a number of French hallmarks that suggest the bowl was an export.® However, in 1907 the firm declared bankruptcy. Gorham purchased the company, grinding down its vast inventory of dies and rolls and selling them, along with the firm's designs, machinery, and tools.
George Shiebler worked as an employee for Gorham from then until his death in 1920.
Conclusion:
George W. Shiebler was a true genius of silver design and in utilizing innovative production techniques. The quality of his work is absolutely incredible and many of his pieces are worthy to be displayed in museums. Because of the short duration he was in business and also since his designs were so incredible, his works in today's antique silver market are amongst the most desirable to collectors and fetch some of the highest dollar amounts. Enjoy collecting George Shiebler antique silver as much as we do!
Your Help Needed - We are looking for print catalogs, ad slicks or any other reference materials on George W. Shiebler & Co. Please email us below if you can help us out with this. Especially, needing and wanting large catalogs from the late 19th century and early 20th century. We are willing to pay a fair price. Thanks, Greg!
Article/E-Book authored by Greg Arbutine of The Silver Museum LLC on 5-6-25
We Buy Shiebler Silver!
We want to purchase all George W. Shiebler sterling flatware and hollowware, especially any pieces that have elaborate decorative work or have unusual themes..
If you have items that you'd like to sell,
or even just want to get an idea on valuation
please click the email us button for a quote.
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Silver Museum Owner
The Silver Museum buys all sterling flatware and hollowware regardless if it is rare or not. We want it all!
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Please get our offer no matter what else you eventually do. We are looking for great pieces for our Museum.
This is a really awesome article and e-book on George W. Shiebler Silver.