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 Durgin Silver Company serveware and decorative objects.
Wellington by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 146 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Wellington by Durgin sterling silver flatware set, 146 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 8 7/8", 12 forks, 7", 12 salad forks, 5 7/8", 12 teaspoons, 5 5/8", 12 gumbo soup s...
Sterling Silver
Iris & New Art by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Nouveau 167 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
"New Art" - the name is a literal translation of the French "Art Nouveau" was introduced as a not-full-line pattern with four motifs: Iris, Easter Lily, Narcissus, & Orange Blossom. In 1900, one year after New Art was introduced, Durgin introduced the single motif...
Sterling Silver
Chatham by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 8 Service 109 Pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Gorgeous Dinner & Luncheon Chatham by Durgin, c1915, sterling silver flatware set - 109 pieces. This set includes: 8 dinner size knives, 9 5/8" 8 dinner size forks, 8" 8 regular...
Sterling Silver
Watteau by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service Dinner Size 168 Pieces
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Watteau by Durgin circa 1890-1920 sterling silver dinner size flatware set - 168 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, blunt blades, 9 5/8" 12 dinner size forks, 7 5/8" 12 luncheon/dessert forks, 7 1/8" 12 salad forks, 6 1/8" 12 teaspoons, 5 3/4" 12 place soup spoons, 6 7/8" 12 flat handle butter spreaders, 5 3/4" 12 oyster forks, 5 3/4" 12 gumbo soup spoons, 7" 12 large dinner spoons/serving spoons, 8 1/4" 12 pastry forks, 3-tine, 5 7/8" 12 fish forks, 7 3/8" 12 fish knives, 8 1/8" 1 gravy ladle, 7 3/8" 1 large stuffing spoon w/button, 11 1/2" 1 roast carving set, 5-pc, some wear to original steel blades/tines, as shown in photo. 1 fish serving set, 2-pc, 11" & 8 3/4" 1 pierced olive spoon, 5 3/4" 1 berry spoon, 9" 1 ice cream serving spoon...
Sterling Silver
Madame Royale by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 52 pieces Dinner
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Dinner Size Madame Royale by Durgin sterling silver Flatware set, 52 pieces. This set includes: 8 Dinner Knives with stainless blades, 9 3/4" 8 Dinner Forks, 7 5/8" 8 Salad Forks, 6...
Sterling Silver
#19 by Durgin Sterling Silver Flatware Set for 12 Service 212 Pieces Dinner Deco
By Durgin Silver Company
Located in Big Bend, WI
Monumental Art Deco "Number Nineteen" by Durgin, circa 1916-1952, sterling silver flatware set, 212 pieces. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, 9 3/4" 12 dinner size fork...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Flatware/60 pieces
By William Durgin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver flatware set by William Durgin Silver. This is a service for 12: 5 pieces per setting, 60 pieces total. The craftsmanship and design on this patt...
Sterling Silver
Watson Wallace Meadow Rose 925 Sterling Silver Flatware Set 77 Pc Dinner Setting
By Wallace Silversmiths
Located in Greer, SC
Stunning Meadow Rose by Watson / Wallace sterling silver flatware set, 77 pieces total (no box). Great condition, with no monograms. This set includes: 12 Knives 4 Tablespoons 18 Te...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany Renaissance Sterling Silver Dinner Set for 12
By Paulding Farnham., Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Renaissance sterling silver dinner set. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. This set comprises 156 pieces (dimensions in inches): Forks: 12 dinner forks (8), 12 salad fo...
Sterling Silver
Extensive Gorham Sterling Silver Three-Hundred Twenty-Two Piece Flatware Service
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Extensive Gorham Sterling Silver Three-Hundred Twenty-Two Piece Flatware Service, Buckingham Pattern. Marked. Assembled, some with the etched initial M. Comprising, 24 dinner kniv...
Silver
Buccellati Borgia Sterling Silver Dinner Set for 12 with 96 Pieces
By Buccellati, Ilario Pradella 1
Located in New York, NY
Borgia sterling silver dinner set for twelve. This set comprises 96 pieces (dimensions in inches): Forks: 12 dinner forks (8 1/4), 12 luncheon forks (7 1/2), and 12 salad forks (7);...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Flatware Set by William Eaton, 65 Pieces
By William Eaton
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver straight Albert pattern flatware service for twelve persons made by William Eaton; an addition to our canteen of cutlery collection The pieces of this exceptional, antique Victorian sterling silver straight* flatware service for 12 persons have been crafted in the Albert pattern. The anterior and posterior surfaces of each rococo inspired, King's shape handle are embellished with scrolling leaf ornamentation. The decoration to the anterior of each handle terminal incorporates a contemporary bright cut engraved crest depicting out of a mural crown a spear in pale and two palm branches in saltire**. The heel and shoulders of each piece are embellished with further scrolling decoration. This silver flatware service for 12 persons consists of 65 pieces: Basic Service: 12 Table forks 12 Table spoons 12 Dessert forks 12 Dessert spoons 12 Teaspoons Additional Pieces: Pair of sauce ladles Pair of salt spoons...
Silver, Sterling Silver
