Featured Three Crowns Silversmiths - Ingrid Collector! (Royal Hickman)

SBSVC · Jan 4, 2021

Hi, Soup, and welcome!

Are there any markings on these pretty candle holders (on the sides of the bases, or on the bottoms, maybe?) Please include a photo of any marks!

popsycat · Jan 5, 2021

I can see why you collect it. I love it.

Soup · Jan 5, 2021

Thanks for the response. Yes, there are markings. Please see the attached picture of the bottom of one of the pieces. Both have the same markings.

i need help · Jan 6, 2021

This is a dead link, but maybe you can track it down.
https://picclick.com/Mid-Century-Modern-Royal-Hickman-3-Crown-382560930070.html

Darkwing Manor · Jan 6, 2021

I am going to be opportunistic here and post a link to these six dinner/ steak? knives I have up on eBay. I have been watching all the forms coming through at auction and have yet to see any other knives. https://www.ebay.com/itm/124514027895

Soup · Jan 7, 2021

i need help said: ↑

This is a dead link, but maybe you can track it down.
https://picclick.com/Mid-Century-Modern-Royal-Hickman-3-Crown-382560930070.html
Click to expand...

That set is a different version of the one I have. It is the only one I have been able to find thus far. Has anyone seen the set I have anywhere?

Soup · Jan 7, 2021

SBSVC said: ↑

Hi, Soup, and welcome!

Are there any markings on these pretty candle holders (on the sides of the bases, or on the bottoms, maybe?) Please include a photo of any marks!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. I responded below, but didn't post as a reply to you apparently so I just wanted to let you know there is a picture below your post. Thanks!

antidiem · Jan 10, 2021

Soup said: ↑

Has anyone seen the set I have anywhere?
Click to expand...

No I haven't seen a candlestick, but I do think it could be worth your while to put it up for online auction, @Soup - I haven't yet cleaned my pair, but mine are much more common to find pieces.

Craftyolive · Aug 20, 2023

Mecklenburg Vintage Man said: ↑

Hello all!

I found this wonderful site on a recent search, and would like to add to the "hive mind" some information I have found over the years about this subject.

I have been collecting pieces in the Ingrid line, designed by Royal Arden Hickman for Three Crowns Silversmiths in Pottstown, PA, for about 15 years now. It all started with finding a Salad Server set in an antique mall. They were so hefty and wonderfully made that I was certain they were mis-marked as "silverplate" rather than sterling. Some online searching quickly corrected my mis-impression. ;-)

Three Crowns Silversmiths started producing this line in 1946, and ended around 1960. It was designed by Royal Hickman to fulfill a desire for Swedish-looking, minimalist pieces in the Mid-Century Modern sensibility. The hallmark does indeed consist of three pointed crowns (2 above, 1 below), which is similar to the Swedish Sterling mark, but not enclosed in the "cat's paw" like the Swedish mark.

View attachment 207722 View attachment 207723

There are several design elements that are used, variously or in combination, on these pieces. I'll attempt to describe them for informational purposes only.

Composition:
The vast majority of pieces in this line are silver plated over copper or brass. Once in a while you may see the salad servers in brass or brass and copper with either smooth handles or fluted lengthwise.
I did see a salad set that was stamped "sterling" near the hallmark, but couldn't verify that.
Overzealous polishing can result in the plating wearing completely off, showing only as the base copper or brass.

The row of small beads:
Many of the holloware pieces and almost all of the flatware and serving pieces use this element. Holloware bowls and pitchers usually have a simple ribbon handle with this beadwork row. Sometimes the beads are in a straight line - sometimes in a gentle curve. Occasionally, I see the salad servers with unadorned handles.
View attachment 207707 View attachment 207708

Disk and Chain base:
Holloware pieces are most often found with a very sturdy base which consists of a large, washer-like, circular disk that rests on the table, with a circling of chain or roping, and the bowl on top of that. The base is largely openworked, and you can peer through the open disk from the bottom and see through the gaps in the chain.
View attachment 207715
Other times, the base can be just three simple balls, attached to the base of the bowl.

Finials:
Hickman designed a unique finial in a biomorphic form that looks like something between an orchid and a scorpion. The up-curved "tail" serving as the handle on lidded pieces, such as a sugar bowl. The elements of this feature are discrete, and the "petals" or "leaves" do not rest on the surface, but just touch it at the center and tips.
Sometimes this form appears in the middle of a piece, such as the stem of a candlestick.
View attachment 207718
Oddly enough, just yesterday in an online search, I saw a finial for a side-handle creamer that was a stylized tropical fish, and a sugar and creamer set that had the same fish mounted as handles on the sides.
I've also seen a simple ball finial, though I can't verify that that might not have been added to replace a lost original finial.

I think that this is a good start. Please feel free to comment or update this thread with information about these wonderful pieces. I plan to list the items in my own personal collection in a later post, just to illustrate the vast range of items produced by Three Crowns Silversmiths. (Everything from Salad Server sets to a Gravy Boat with a stand and warmer!)
Click to expand...

I have an Ingrid salad set that I’m donating. Does anyone want them?

komokwa · Aug 20, 2023

Craftyolive said: ↑

I have an Ingrid salad set that I’m donating. Does anyone want them?
Click to expand...

post this in the give a way Forum.....
@Bookahtoo

Forum	Title	Date
Silver	THREE STERLING TABLESPOONS....TWO FROM GRANDMOTHER....	Feb 9, 2020
Silver	Three Silver Cups	Nov 3, 2018
Silver	Three Sterling Silver Vanity Pieces	Mar 31, 2018
Silver	Three Pieces of Jewish (Judaica) Silverware	Mar 29, 2018
Silver	three pendants unknown stones?	Feb 23, 2018

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Featured Three Crowns Silversmiths - Ingrid Collector! (Royal Hickman)

SBSVC Well-Known Member

popsycat Well-Known Member

Soup New Member

i need help Moderator Moderator

Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

Soup New Member

Soup New Member

antidiem Well-Known Member

Craftyolive New Member

komokwa The Truth is out there...!

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Featured Three Crowns Silversmiths - Ingrid Collector! (Royal Hickman)

SBSVC Well-Known Member

popsycat Well-Known Member

Soup New Member

i need help Moderator Moderator

Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

Soup New Member

Soup New Member

antidiem Well-Known Member

Craftyolive New Member

komokwa The Truth is out there...!

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