British Sterling Silver Fiddle Pattern Spoon by George Adams
Flatware (Spoon, Serving Piece) · George Adams (working as Chawner & Co.), London, highly esteemed Victorian silversmith specializing in domestic flatware.
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern, a traditional English flatware design introduced in the late 18th century and widely popular throughout the 19th century.
Type
Flatware (Spoon, Serving Piece)
Maker
George Adams (working as Chawner & Co.), London, highly esteemed Victorian silversmith specializing in domestic flatware.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity standard regulated by the British assay office).
Dimensions
Standard spoon dimensions (approximately 15 to 22 cm depending on specific table or dessert classification); weight consistent with solid 19th-century sterling silver flatware.
Description
An authentic mid-19th-century British sterling silver spoon in the classic Fiddle pattern, crafted by master silversmith George Adams in London. The piece displays crisp, legible hallmarks including the lion passant, London leopard's head, and Victorian duty mark, reflecting the high standards of British silversmithing during the height of the Victorian era.
Key Features
Crisp punch-struck hallmarks, classic Fiddle terminal shape, authentic Victorian silver standard indicators.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity standard regulated by the British assay office).
Finish & Decoration
Smooth satin and polished finish characteristic of period utility flatware, featuring a classic upturned fiddle-shaped terminal without elaborate engraving.
Hallmarks & Stamps
British hallmarks visible near the terminal: Lion Passant (.925 sterling standard), Leopard's Head (London assay office), Queen Victoria's head duty mark, date letter, and maker's initials GA (George Adams).
Construction Details
Die-struck and hand-finished, typical of mid-19th-century commercial British flatware production with solid stem and bowl construction.
Functional Features
Designed for dining or serving use with an ergonomic handle profile typical of the Fiddle pattern.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver Fiddle-shaped handle, integral with the stem and bowl, offering a comfortable and balanced grip.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality Victorian manufacturing combining mechanized die-striking blanks with precise hand-finishing and punch-stamping.
Authentication Indicators
Clear, deeply struck duty marks, correct London assay and sterling lion passant stamps, authentic Victorian maker's punch for George Adams.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England, manufactured in the workshops of renowned British silversmiths maintaining traditional British assay standards.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (1837-1901), indicated by the Queen Victoria sovereign duty mark and maker punch styling.
Age Estimate
Mid-19th century, circa 1840-1860, determined by the specific Queen Victoria duty mark and maker's punch.
Cultural Significance
Representative of formal Victorian dining customs and the height of British industrial-era domestic silver production.
Condition Notes
Very good condition with minor surface micro-scratches and expected polishing wear consistent with age and gentle historical use; structure remains solid.
Value Estimate
Moderate collector value ranging from $40 to $150 depending on exact weight, precise spoon type ( teaspoon vs. table/serving spoon), and current precious metals market.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash with mild soap and warm water, dry immediately with a soft cloth, and polish periodically with quality silver cream like Wright's; store in anti-tarnish cloth.
Similar Pieces
Other 19th-century British Fiddle or Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern spoons by makers such as William Chawner or Eley & Fearn.
Interesting Facts
George Adams took over the dominant Victorian flatware firm Chawner & Co. in 1840, becoming the largest manufacturer of silver spoons and forks in the world during the mid-19th century.