William Forbes (1799–c. 1882) was the son of Colin Van Gelder Forbes and a grandson of William Garret Forbes, both of whom were established silversmiths in New York City. Presumably, young William was trained by his father and in 1826, a few years after completing his apprenticeship, formed a partnership with him. Years later, when the younger Forbes was working on his own, he became a principal supplier to a number of established New York City firms—notably Marquand & Co.; Ball, Tompkins & Black; and their successor, Ball, Black & Company.

 This punch ladle, distinguished by its unusual figural handle, was undoubtedly inspired by, if not pirated from, an English model. In the mid-19th century figural flatware was extremely rare. William Bogert, a contemporary of Forbes, is responsible for two known sets, one of which is in the Bayou Bend Collection (B.2003.14.1–.3). They are taken directly from a London design of 1862–63. More closely related to this unmarked punch ladle are a serving spoon and fish set (private collections), the latter bearing Forbes’ mark and hence the basis for this attribution. The handle, with its voluptuous figure and meandering grapevine, terminates in a gilded bowl formed in a distinctive honeycomb pattern. The latter is inspired by a design associated with Tiffany & Co. and suggests a collaboration between Forbes and Edward Moore, sometime prior to his being engaged by Tiffany’s as its general manager and designer.