In 1820, William Gale inverted a stamping machine that pressed sheets of silver between two dies, one for each side of the piece. Early machines were used mostly to cut out a blank shape (a spoon, for example) that would be decorated by hand. Use of stamping machines to produce the pattern did not become widespread until late in the century, after die-making improved.

After the mid-1800s, many items were produced by silver plating--using an electric current to make a coating of silver adhere to a spoon or other object made of copper and/or nickel. The thicker the coating, the better the quality of the item.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, "a dinner party at home was a major social event. During this period, Americans...pushed the limit on extravagance and abundance..." As gift-giving for weddings increased, elaborate silver pieces became a popular choice.

Silversmiths played an important role in an era with few banks by fashioning silver coins into unique silver items which were easier to reclaim in event of theft. Engraving a name or initials on a silver object as with [1] was another method of identifying one's property. If the owner needed money, he could melt the object and use the block of silver to pay for goods.

Orphaned early, John Kendrick was adopted by a Louisville man, apprenticed to a jeweler there, and suffered an early bankruptcy. He re-established himself in business and eventually repaid all this debts. His creditors were so pleased with his character they gave him a silver pitcher. In addition to selling silver items made in the eastern United States, Kendrick repaired watches, did engraving, and made silver items. Silver coins were 90% pure silver and that became the standard until the late 1800s, even when the coins themselves were not the source of the silver.

Three brothers, Asa, Simeon, and William Rogers, began as manufacturers of coin silverware. After much experimenting, they mastered that art electroplating process, and in 1847 were the first to offer fancy plated silverware on a large scale. This is an early example of their work.

Tiffany designer John C. Moore began experimenting with designs based on the scrollwork found in Islamic arts in the 1860s. His pieces, and the construction of the "Persianized" mansion, Olana, which painter Frederick Church built in New York, popularized these motifs and are reflected in the design of this spoon.

By the 1870s, patterns became more elaborate as this item illustrates.

The Etruscan pattern, with its Greek key design, reflects a return to a plainer, classical style after the flourishes of the previous period. This spoon belonged to the family of John Bexell, first dean of the College of Business at OSU.

Tiffany and Co. introduced the sterling standard of 92.5% silver to the United States in 1852. Under famed designer John C. Moore, Tiffany's silver department soon gained a reputation for the quality and uniqueness of the items offered for sale, including special pieces such as a pitcher to be presented at the inauguration of President Lincoln and elaborate presentation swords for Admiral Farragut and Generals Grant and Sherman. In 1867, the company won an award for excellence of its silver at the Paris World Exposition--the first American company to do so. In 1847, the company began selling silver flatware made by others; it began producing its own patterns in 1871.

[9] Sterling Silver Place Setting Schulz and Fischer San Francisco, California Cleopatra pattern patented 1879

This silverware has a monogram of MA for Mary Avery, wife of Corvallis founder, J.C. Avery. The pattern reflects the interest in motifs from other lands in the second half of the nineteenth century. The large serving spoon is coated with gold for better protection against the acids in some foods. The knife is silver-plated.

The silverware was made by Schulz and Fischer, which opened for business as Schulz, Fischer and Mohring in 1868 and continued under slightly different names until 1883. The company was one of several on the West Coast that opened following discovery of the Comstock silver deposits in Nevada--deposits that yielded over $150 million of silver between 1859 and 1880. 

William Codman designed Chantilly and over 50 other patterns for Gorham. Chantilly is one of the most popular patterns every produced. By 1914, Gorham offered more than 200 different items in this pattern.

"The development and proliferation in the United States of specialized flatware forms and patterns was one of the most striking phenomena in American silverware between 1850 and 1915. ...firms...were making specialized flatware, including fish sets, individual 'asparagus eaters;' ...cheese, macaroni, tomato, and cucumber servers; pudding, berry, oyster, olive, orange, grapefruit, ice, ice cream, and ice tea spoons; cake, ice cream, and jelly knives; pickle, terrapin, lettuce, lemon, fruit, lobster, and mango forks; and picks for butter, nuts, and seafood, as well as a host of others."
[Quote from Charles Venable, Silver in America, 1840-1940, p. 136] 

This fish server is another of the many specialized pieces that appeared during the silver boom. "Shiebler was a designer of great note and originality." Here he uses engraving of the body with leafy patterns to complement the flower shapes in the handle.
[Quote from Charles Venable, Silver in America, 1840-1940, p. 322]

Raised patterns such as the berries on the bowl of the spoon are called repousse. Silversmiths create them by hammering on the reverse side, indenting it on the back, and raising it on the outer side. The Stieff rose was the company's most popular pattern.

Many companies introduced grape patterns during the early 1900s. All feature vines, leaves, and grape clusters. The most popular of all of them was American Silver's Moselle, patented in 1906.

British silversmith Thomas Pairpoint won many prizes as a designer for the Gorham and Meriden Companies from 1867 to 1880. Then investors induced him to head a new company, which they named Pairpoint Manufacturing. Under Pairpoint and his successor, Thomas Tripp, the company became one of the largest manufacturers of silver-plate in the country. In 1894, the company merged with the Mount Washington Glass Company. Pairpoint Manufacturing still produces glass but not silver-plated items.