Cleaves & Kimball Coin Silver Teaspoon, Fiddle Pattern
Flatware (Teaspoon) · Cleaves & Kimball (Charles Cleaves and John S. Kimball), a partnership of silversmiths active in Saco, Maine. Known for high-quality New England regional silver during the standard transition period.
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern, a universally popular 18th and 19th-century design characterized by a handle shaped like a violin or fiddle.
Type
Flatware (Teaspoon)
Maker
Cleaves & Kimball (Charles Cleaves and John S. Kimball), a partnership of silversmiths active in Saco, Maine. Known for high-quality New England regional silver during the standard transition period.
Material
Coin Silver (approx. .900 purity), typically made by melting down silver coins. Common in America before the federal sterling standard became ubiquitous.
Dimensions
Estimated 5.5 to 6.25 inches in length; approximately 15-22 grams. This is typical for an individual teaspoon of this era.
Description
An authentic piece of early American regional silver, this teaspoon by Cleaves & Kimball represents the transition from artisanal silversmithing to semi-industrial production. It features a classic Fiddle-back silhouette, prized by collectors of Maine silver for its clean lines and historical provenance.
Key Features
The distinctive incuse maker's mark 'CLEAVES & KIMBALL' and the absence of a 'Sterling' mark, identifying it as American Coin Silver.
Material & Composition
Coin Silver (approx. .900 purity), typically made by melting down silver coins. Common in America before the federal sterling standard became ubiquitous.
Finish & Decoration
Polished finish (currently heavily tarnished) with a plain, unadorned surface typical of the Neoclassical/Federal influenced functionalism. No chasing or repoussé.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Incuse 'CLEAVES & KIMBALL' maker's stamp on the reverse of the handle. No metal purity mark (standard for much American coin silver) or city mark.
Construction Details
Hand-forged or early industrial drop-hammer die-struck from a single silver ingot or flattened sheet; finished with hand-burnishing and files.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowl with a distinct shoulder transition to a flat, flared handle for ergonomic thumb placement.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver flat handle in the Fiddle shape; flared end with rounded corners; original to the bowl (single piece construction).
Craftsmanship Details
Displays good symmetry and a clean strike on the maker's mark. Evidence of hand-finishing on the edges of the handle and 'heel' of the bowl.
Authentication Indicators
The incuse stamp is consistent with 1830s-40s American marking practices. Weight and 'patina' of the tarnish suggests authentic coin silver rather than plated base metal.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Saco, Maine, United States. Reflects the regional artisan workshops of the mid-19th century New England coast.
Era & Period
Early American/Federal era. The Fiddle pattern dominated approximately 1800-1850 in the United States.
Age Estimate
Circa 1830-1845. The partnership of Cleaves and Kimball is documented within this mid-19th century window.
Cultural Significance
Coin silver items were often a family's primary store of wealth in the 19th century, serving both as functional dining tools and a portable financial asset.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Heavy oxidation and tarnish are present. There is surface pitting visible on the bowl and handle. The handle shows signs of surface wear consistent with age.
Value Estimate
$25.00 - $65.00 USD. Value is driven by regional interest for Maine collectors more than silver weight.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid liquid 'dips' which can strip the protective oxidation in the crevices of the mark. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth.
Similar Pieces
Similar Fiddle pattern spoons by contemporary Maine makers like Lowell & Senter (Portland) or other New England makers like Gorham (early period).
Interesting Facts
Charles Cleaves and John Kimball were part of a small but significant group of silversmiths in Saco, Maine, who served the local merchant class during the Maine shipping boom.