Featured in this lot are four sterling Towle forks in the French Provincial style circa 1948. A direct ancestor of Moulton, the first silver business in the United States, is Towle Silversmiths. The family dynasty is thought to have been the industry's longest-running business. Moulton fathers taught their sons their trade for more than 200 years. Two significant figures in the history of silversmithing were born in Hampton, New Hampshire: Anthony Frances Towle and William Moulton II. Having established a farm in Hampton in 1637, Moulton was the son of an English immigrant. Moulton opened a business as a general trader who dabbled in silver in Newbury, Massachusetts, when he was only 18 years old. For five more generations, his company flourished. First to specialize in silversmithing was Joseph Moulton, who had four sons. The Moulton family included blacksmiths and other manual workers, but by 1742, they had earned a reputation as silversmiths. William Moulton IV, who ran the family business from 1795 to 1845, served as Towle's teacher. By this time, Moulton had expanded into the jewelry industry in addition to creating silver vessels for churches. William P. Jones, another apprentice, and Towle collaborated to purchase the company. In 1857, the sixth and final Moulton in the illustrious line of silversmiths took control of the family business. The forks were made in the French Provincial style showing a a curvaceous design with elegant floral and scroll embellishments. The French Provincial design fits beautifully amongst modern and vintage tablescapes. The forks show good condition overall with very slight wear from their vintage age, but no signs of obvious damage are present. The forks measure 7 11/16" L x 1" W. The collective weight of the spoons is 242.4 grams.