Forbes Silver Company designs in collections, at auction, and in expositions

ADC staff
artdesigncafé - design | Design Meriden | 21 July 2016 | Updated 22 December 2021
LINK: Forbes Silver Company design catalogues and historical information

Above, illustrations of Forbes Silver Co. designs in the International Silver Company catalogue no. 34 (1928 or 1929), pp. 151,153, and 161. For more information, see listing below.

"FORBES SILVER CO., Meriden, Conn.
Starting in 1894, the Forbes Silver Company [,a secondary trademark of the Meriden Britannia Company,] produced a variety of small silverplated pieces for use by women in the home, including a very large line of silverplated toiletware, as well as a general line of household silverplate.

Its moderately priced line of silverplate were quite well known and continued to be made and marketed by [the International Silver Company, which in 1898 acquired Forbes and Meriden Britannia] ...until 1935."

— Edmund P. Hogan in An American heritage: A book about the International Silver Company (1977), p. 168.; Hogan in The elegance of old silverplate and some personalities, pp. 140-41. (See entries on parallel Forbes Silver Co. design catalogues and historical documentation webpage.)

A. Forbes Silver Company designs in collections (by year)

Info/photo status:

= info and photo online
= info online, no photo
= completely offline

1890s

c. 1894-1900 - crumber

Forbes Silver Company. (c. 1894-1900). Crumber. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. ID. no. 2014.15.16. Viewed 26 July 2018. C00147).

Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma.

c. 1894-1901 - flagon

Forbes Silver Co. (c. 1894-1901). Flagon. Silver plate. Object ID no. 1993.032.001. Viewed 23 July 2018. E00155-56).

Photo - Grey Roots Museum & Archives, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

1894-1935 - candlestick

Forbes Silver Plate Co. (1894-1935). Candlestick. Silver plate. (Accession no. 306994. Viewed 30 December 2016. A01393.)

Photo - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

c. 1895 - tall hexagonal pitcher

Forbes Silver Co. (c. 1895). Tall hexagonal pitcher. (Accession no. 65.1560. Viewed 24 September 2020. J00762).

Photo - National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

In 1898, Forbes Silver Company became part of the International Silver Company. After this date, it is assumed that any design patents utilized by the Forbes Silver Company division or brand were assigned to the International Silver Company. (See the ISC historical documentation page).

before 1900 - teapot

Forbes Silver Company. (before 1900). Teapot. Silver plate. (Accession no. 1972.16.3. Viewed 10 July 2018. G02443).

Wellington Museum & Archives, Fergus, Ontario, Canada.

1900s

c. 1900-10 - cream pitcher

Forbes Silver Company / ISC. (c. 1900-10). Cream pitcher. Presumably silver plate. (Object ID no. 2004.118.4.3. Viewed 11 July 2018. G02562-63).

Photo - Southern Historical Oregon Society, Medford, OR.

c. 1903 - tea service

Forbes Silver Company / ISC. (c. 1903). Tea service: teapot, butter dish with lid, waste bowl, sugar bowl with lid, and creamer. Accession no. 2010.59.1-.5. Viewed 26 July 2018. C00145-46).

Photo - Kansas Historical Society, Topeka.

1909 - paperweight

Forbes Silver Company / ISC. (1909). Paperweight. Silver plate. (Accession no. 2000.33.1. Viewed 21 July 2016. B00203.)

Photo - The Henry Ford, Dearborn, MI.

1910s

1910 - trophy

Forbes Silver Co. / International Silver Co. (1910). Trophy. (Accession no. 2012.X.145. Viewed 8 September 2020. J00680).

Photo - Toronto District School Board Museum and Archives, Canada - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

1910 - trophy

Forbes Silver Co. / International Silver Co. (1910). Trophy. (Accession no. 2012.X.147. Viewed 8 September 2020. J00681).

Photo - Toronto District School Board Museum and Archives, Canada - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

c. 1910 - trophy cup

Forbes Silver Co. / ISC. (c. 1910). Trophy cup. (Accession no. 1985.43.10. Viewed 27 March 2017. A01803.)

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT. (Search collection online.)

c. 1910-15 - cup

Forbes Silver Co. / International Silver Co. (c. 1910-15). Cup. (Accession no. 1975.0001.1165. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00560).

British Columbia Heritage Conservation Branch, Victoria - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site.)

1912 - trophy

Forbes Silver Company / International Silver Co. (1912). Trophy. (Accession no. CMA 11-1A. Viewed 21 February 2021. J01130).

Chestico Museum, Port Hood, Nova Scotia, Canada - NovaMuse website.

c. 1919 - living cup, trophy

Forbes Silver Company / ISC. (c. 1919). Living cup, trophy. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 2003.072.0020. Viewed 12 July 2018. G02621-22).

Photo - Orange County History Center, Orlando, FL.

Click the following link to see the parallel webpage - Forbes Silver Company design catalogues and historical documentation.

1920s

c. 1920 - sugar bowl and lid, and cream pitcher

Forbes Silver Company / ISC. (c. 1920). Sugar bowl and lid, and cream pitcher. Silver plate. (Object ID no. 92.259.46.A-.B; 92.259.47. Viewed 26 July 2018. C00161-63).

History Colorado Center, Denver. (Search the collection.)

c. 1921 - loving cup, trophy

Forbes Silver Company. (c. 1921). Loving cup, trophy. Silver plate. (Object no. 2004.090.0168. Viewed 10 July 2018. G02444-45).

Photo - Maine Historical Society, Portland.

n. d.

n. d. - trophy (teapot)

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Trophy (teapot). (Accession no. 994.210.01. Viewed 4 February 2021. J01077).

Photo - Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, Halifax, Canada - NovaMuse website.

n. d. - trophy

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Trophy. (Accession no. 975.01.600. Viewed 4 February 2021. J01076).

Photo - Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, Halifax, Canada - NovaMuse website.

n. d. - tea set

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Teapot, cream pitcher, sugar bowl. [Accession no. 2008.07.08a(-c). Viewed 27 December 2020. J01024).

Photos - Fultz House Museum, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia - NovaMuse website: teapot; cream pitcher; sugar bowl.

n. d. - trophy

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Trophy. (Accession no. 975.01.616. Viewed 27 December 2020. J01025).

Photo - Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, Halifax, Canada - NovaMuse website.

n. d. - bride’s basket

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Bride’s basket. (Accession no. 1994.1737.1-2. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00563).

Photo - Maison Saint-Gabriel, Montreal, Quebec - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - basket

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Basket. (Accession no. 1991.915. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00562).

Photo - Musée des Abénakis, Odanak, Quebec - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - Friar’s Club Cup

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Friar’s Club Cup. Silver, copper. (Accession no. 1982.712. Viewed 12 July 2018. G02632-36).

Photo - Museum of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO. (Also see these entries: 1; 2; 3.)

n. d. - pitcher and cup

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Pitcher and cup. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 2004.11.07.jy. Viewed 3 July 2018. G02167-69).

Photos - Chautauqua Institition, Chautauqua, New York.

n. d. - basket (Art Nouveau)

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Basket (Art Nouveau). (Accession no. 1999.185. Viewed 5 September 2020. J00620).

Photo - Musée du Château Dufresne, Montreal, Canada - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - tray

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Tray. (Accession no. 2001.111. Viewed 5 September 2020. J00621).

Photo - Centre d’histoire de Montréal, Montreal, Canada - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - condiment holder

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Condiment holder. Presumably silver plate, glass missing. (Object ID no. 1977.100.216. Viewed 11 July 2018. G02560-61).

Photo - Southern Historical Oregon Society, Medford, OR.

n. d. - cruet stand

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Cruet stand. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 2017.0034.003a. Viewed 12 July 2018. G02618-20).

Photo - Huron County Museum, Goderich, Ontario, Canada.

n. d. - small spoon

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Small spoon. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 2017.0034.034. Viewed 12 July 2018. G02616-17).

Photo - Huron County Museum, Goderich, Ontario, Canada.

n. d. - communion flagon

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Communion flagon. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 1943.15.2. Viewed 26 August 2018. J00145).

Photo - Kentucky Museum, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green.

n. d. - fruit bowl

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Fruit bowl. (Accession no. 988.217. Viewed 17 November 2020. J00935).

Photo - Société d’histoire de Sherbrooke, Quebec - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - tea set

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Tea set (teapot, sugar bowl, cream pitcher). (Accession nos. HF.70.3085.1.1 A,B; Accession no. HF.70.3085.1.2-3). Viewed 14 November 2021. J01461).

Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, Charlottetown - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - cup

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Holder (cup). (Cat. no. H72.17.1079. Viewed 22 December 2021. J01509).

Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Object name": Holder, "Institution", and "Manufacturer": Forbes.)

n. d. - sugar bowl

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Sugar bowl. (Accession no. HF.94.61.3. Viewed 1 July 2021. J01379).

Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, Charlottetown - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - toast rack

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Toast rack. (Accession no. HF.86.119.18. Viewed 20 February 2021. J01119).

Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, Charlottetown - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - biscuit jar

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Biscuit jar. (Accession no. 991.136.005. Viewed 17 November 2020. J00936).

Glenbow-Alberta Institute, Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - pickle caster

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Pickle caster. (Accession no. HF.77.57.33. Viewed 17 October 2020. J00867).

Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, Charlottetown - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - casserole

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Casserole. (Accession no. JB.63.154.2A. Viewed 17 October 2020. J00866).

Parks Canada organization, Ottawa, Ontario - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - flower pot

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Flower pot. (Accession no. L.1975.20.V. Viewed 7 September 2020. J00665).

Musée québécois de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation, La Pocatière, Quebec - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - biscuit container

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Biscuit container. (Accession no. TH84.3.123.1-2. Viewed 7 September 2020. J00664).

Transcona Historical Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - plate

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Plate. (Accession no. 2002.0002.0265. Viewed 7 September 2020. J00654).

Fort Steele Heritage Town, Fort Steele, British Columbia - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - sugar bowl

Presumably Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Sugar bowl. (Accession no. 1995.5.59. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00564).

Stony Plain & Parkland Pioneer Museum Society, Stony Plain, Alberta - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - tureen

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Tureen. (Accession no. 1975-1238.1.2. Viewed 2 September 2020. J00561).

La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Quebec - Artefacts Canada micro-site, Government of Canada. (Search the micro-site, advanced search, select "Accession number".)

n. d. - vase

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Vase. Accession no. 2016.1.2. Viewed 26 July 2018. C00155).

Kansas Historical Society, Topeka.

n. d. - mug

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Mug. (Accession no. 2002.60.743. Viewed 26 July 2018. C00148).

Kansas Historical Society, Topeka.

n. d. - toothpick holder

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Toothpick holder. Silver or silver plate. (Cat. no. 75-9-159. Viewed 9 July 2018. G02433).

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, CO.

n. d. - pickle-caster

Forbes Silver Company (undated). Pickle caster. Silver plate. (The holder has this dated at c. 1960; however if by the same Forbes Silver Co., the dating is probably incorrect. Object no. H 89924. Viewed 30 June 2018. A03021).

Ohio History Center, Columbus. (Search the collection.)

n. d. - cream pitcher

Possibly Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Cream pitcher. (Accession no. 1981.179.32. Viewed 27 March 2017. A01802.)

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT. (Search collection online.)

n. d. - serving tray

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Serving tray. Silver plate. (Cat. no. 55-590. Viewed 20 August 2018. L00634).

Colorado Springs Pionners Museum, Colorado. (Please note, at the time of viewing, the photo for this design was incorrect, showing a glass bowl.)

n. d. - tray

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Tray (with grapevine border). Silver. (Accession no. 1971.3.10.2. Viewed 12 August 2016. AAA00053-002.)

Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - fruit bowl

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Fruit bowl (four-footed). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.16. Viewed 12 August 2016. AAA00053-069.)

Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - sugar and creamer

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Sugar and creamer (footed; lilies on side). Silver plate. (Accession no. D1981.28.164.1-2. Viewed 12 August 2016. AAA00053-071.)

Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - cruet set

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Cruet set. Silver plate, glass. (Accession no. D1981.28.372.1-5. Viewed 12 August 2016. AAA00053-144.)

Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - baking dish

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Baking dish (with embossed grapes and leaves). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.66. Viewed 12 August 2016. AAA00053-164.)

Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - bread tray

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Bread tray (with embossed imaged of loaf of bread). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.92. Viewed 12 August 2016. AAA00053-171.)

Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

n. d. - ashtray

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Ashtray (oval with bird and wishbone). Silver. (Accession no. D1981.28.99. Viewed 12 August 2016. AAA00053-172.)

Offline - Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC.

Click the following link to see designs and documentation for other historical silver companies from the Meriden area, and those that were connected to the International Silver Company; go to the historical Meriden design overview page and scroll down to section D: "ISC, predecessors & divisions" and E: "Other featured companies".

B. Forbes Silver Company designs at auction

n. d.

n. d. - bread dish

Forbes Silver Company. (undated). Bread dish. Silver plate. (Viewed 21 July 2016. A01091.)

Bonhams Los Angeles - Sunset estate auction (30 AUG 2009).

n. d. - glass vase with silver overlay

Forbes Silver Co. (undated). Green glass vase, with silver overlay (Forbes Silver Co.). (Viewed 2 July 2018. G02114).

Photo - Bonham’s San Francisco - SOMA estate auction (29 JAN 2006).

C. Forbes Silver Company in expositions

1890s

1898 - Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition

1 June - 1 November 1898. Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, Omaha, Nebraska. (Viewed 15 September 2018. D00281.)

> Forbes Silver Co. flatware in exposition restaurant.

For documentation, see the Design Meriden - Forbes Silver Co. design catalogues and historical information page.

1920s

1924 - St. Louis convention exhibit

25 August - 3 September 1924. American National Retail Jewelers’ Association convention exhibits, Hotel Statler, St. Louis, Missouri.

> Unspecified designs exhibited by Forbes Silver Co. / International Silver Company.

For documentation, see the Design Meriden - Forbes Silver Co. design catalogues and historical information page.

See other exhibitions noted as including unspecified International Silver Company designs (1898-present). At this developing research point, Forbes Silver Co. designs could have been exhibited in some of these exhibitions. In this regard, also see expositions including unspecified Meriden Britannia Co. designs (1894-98).

See our Design Meriden compilation listing over 1000 exhibitions since 1851, featuring historical design associated with the Meriden area.

DESIGN MERIDEN:
On Forbes Silver Company - 1: designs in collections, etc. | 2: design catalogues, other historical information, etc.