Victorian Fiddle Pattern Sterling Silver Teaspoon by George Adams
Flatware (Teaspoon) · George William Adams (Chawner & Co.), London. Adams was the most prolific maker of high-quality flatware in Victorian England, succeeding the renowned Chawner firm and supplying major retailers like Tiffany and Garrard.
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern. Introduced in the late 18th century, it became the standard English pattern of the 19th century and remains a staple of silver collecting.
Type
Flatware (Teaspoon)
Maker
George William Adams (Chawner & Co.), London. Adams was the most prolific maker of high-quality flatware in Victorian England, succeeding the renowned Chawner firm and supplying major retailers like Tiffany and Garrard.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Composition is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper for strength.
Dimensions
Length approx 5.5 inches (14cm); Weight approx 18-24 grams. This is a standard individual tea service size.
Description
A quintessential piece of British Victorian utility and elegance. This spoon represents the 'Gilded Age' of London silver manufacturing, where durability met refined simplicity. The Fiddle pattern was favored for its clean lines and substantial feel in the hand.
Key Features
George Adams 'GA' mark, high-relief Victorian hallmarks, classic Fiddle shoulders, and the 'Double Drop' bowl reinforcement characteristic of Chawner production.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Composition is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper for strength.
Finish & Decoration
Satin-aged finish with natural tarnish. The 'Fiddle' pattern is characterized by its broad, flat, fiddle-shaped handle shoulders and a simple, unadorned terminal with a classic 'shoulder' near the bowl.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Full set of British Hallmarks: 1) Maker's Mark 'GA' (George Adams); 2) Lion Passant (British Sterling); 3) Leopard's Head (London Assay Office); 4) Date Letter (Indistinct but consistent with mid-19th C); 5) Queen Victoria Duty Mark.
Construction Details
Hand-forged and die-struck. The drop (where the handle meets the bowl) shows Victorian-era thickness and reinforcement consistent with Chawner & Co. standards.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowl designed for stirring tea and measuring sugar; the 'Fiddle' shape provides a comfortable ergonomic grip and weight balance.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle, integral to the construction. The piece features the characteristic 'shoulders' just above the bowl, a hallmark of the Fiddle design.
Craftsmanship Details
Superb. Despite the simple design, the weight is distributed toward the bowl, and the edges are rounded for comfort—hallmarks of Chawner's superior industrial-artisan hybrid production.
Authentication Indicators
The 'GA' mark is struck in a specific rectangular cartouche matching Adams' early-mid Victorian registry. The spacing and depth of hallmarks are consistent with authentic hand-struck London assaying.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England. Manufactured in the Chawner & Co. workshop, Hospital Square, London.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (1837-1901), specifically mid-Victorian (c. 1840-1875) based on the presence of the Duty Mark and the 'GA' maker's mark style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1850-1865. The hallmark configuration including the Duty Mark (abolished in 1890) and Adams' active peak period supports this.
Cultural Significance
The Fiddle pattern spoon helped democratize high-quality silver in the 19th century, becoming the preferred pattern for the expanding British middle class and colonial officers.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Visible surface scratches and heavy tarnish suggest it has been used moderately and not polished for several years. No significant bends or thinning to the bowl tip.
Value Estimate
$35 - $65 USD. Value is driven by the George Adams maker's mark, which is highly sought after by flatware collectors specifically.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; polish with a high-quality cream like Wright's. Avoid silver 'dips' which can strip the protective patina of the hallmarks.
Similar Pieces
Old English pattern (no shoulders), Fiddle & Thread (engraved borders), or Fiddle, Shell & Thread (more ornate).
Interesting Facts
George Adams took over Chawner & Co. in 1840; the firm was so dominant that they displayed at the Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace.