Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Child's Food Pusher
Flatware - Food Pusher · Unknown American or Continental manufacturer; the mark "800" suggests a European origin, likely German, Italian, or Swiss, where .800 fineness was the standard for high-quality table silver.
Pattern: Unidentified Mid-Century Modern geometric pattern; features a clipped corner, wide spatulate handle reminiscent of Art Deco or early Bauhaus influences.
Type
Flatware - Food Pusher
Maker
Unknown American or Continental manufacturer; the mark "800" suggests a European origin, likely German, Italian, or Swiss, where .800 fineness was the standard for high-quality table silver.
Material
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper). This is a common continental European silver standard, slightly lower than Sterling (.925) but highly durable for utilitarian items.
Dimensions
Estimated length 3.5 to 4.5 inches (9-11 cm). Estimated weight including tarnish is approximately 20-30 grams. The blade is approximately 1.5 inches wide.
Description
This is a classic 'Food Pusher,' a specialized piece of nursery silver designed to assist toddlers in eating. Before the ubiquity of plastic, silver pushers were popular christening gifts, representing a child's transition to 'civilized' dining. This particular piece features a bold, geometric handle that contrasts with the functional utility of its wide, flat horizontal blade.
Key Features
The most prominent feature is the '800' purity mark on the face of the blade rather than the back of the handle, and the distinctive clipped-corner terminal of the handle.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (80% silver, 20% copper). This is a common continental European silver standard, slightly lower than Sterling (.925) but highly durable for utilitarian items.
Finish & Decoration
Satin finish with heavy natural oxidation (tarnish). The design is minimalist and functional, lacking ornate engraving, which highlights the industrial-chic aesthetic of the 1930s-1950s.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '800' on the front right side of the pusher blade. This numeral indicates the silver purity. No visible maker's mark is present on the reverse in this view.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a single sheet of silver. The transition from the handle to the perpendicular blade shows a crisp mechanical bend, typical of mid-20th-century mass production.
Functional Features
Perpendicular flat blade designed to help a child push food onto a spoon or fork without using fingers; also helps in developing fine motor skills during early childhood dining.
Handle & Grip Details
Tapered flat handle with clipped corners at the terminal. The wide grip is ergonomically designed for a child's small hand to palm the device firmly.
Craftsmanship Details
Solid industrial craftsmanship. The piece is well-balanced with a sturdy gauge of silver, ensuring it does not bend under the pressure of a child's hand.
Authentication Indicators
The '800' mark is consistent with period metal standards. The wear pattern is localized to the bottom of the blade, which is correct for a pusher that has been dragged across plates.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely Germany or Italy based on the '800' mark. These regions produced significant quantities of specialized nursery silver for the export and domestic markets.
Era & Period
Art Deco to Mid-Century Modern (1930-1950). The geometric severity and lack of floral ornamentation are hallmark indicators of the transition to modernism.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940. The patina and specific stamping font align with mid-war or immediate post-war production.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of middle-to-upper class nursery etiquette. It represents a specific historical approach to child-rearing and the importance of manners in family social life.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The piece shows significant surface tarnish and sulfide deposits (darkening). There are visible surface scratches consistent with use against ceramic plates. No major bends or cracks.
Value Estimate
USD $35 - $65. Value is primarily based on the silver melt weight plus a small premium for the mid-century design. Rare patterns or signed pieces from makers like Georg Jensen would command much higher prices.
Care & Maintenance
Requires a thorough cleaning with a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid silver 'dips' which can strip the metal too aggressively. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth roll to prevent the return of heavy tarnish.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with a large butter server or a small spatula. It differs by its T-shape and short handle designed for a child's grip rather than a serving platter's reach.
Interesting Facts
Food pushers were known as 'the missing piece' of flatware in the 20th century. By the 1960s, they largely fell out of fashion as modern parenting styles changed and child-specific flatware became less formal.