American Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Nut or Nut Bowl by Reed & Barton
Hollowware - Nut Bowl / Small Serving Bowl · Reed & Barton, founded in 1824 in Taunton, Massachusetts. This maker is renowned for high-quality American silver, particularly their heavy-gauge hollowware and iconic patterns like Francis I. They held a prestigious reputation until their acquisition in 2015.
Pattern: X-Series Contemporary Hollowware. This specific form is a minimalist, non-patterned design characteristic of their mid-20th-century production, frequently sold as part of corporate gifts or standard high-end retail inventory.
Type
Hollowware - Nut Bowl / Small Serving Bowl
Maker
Reed & Barton, founded in 1824 in Taunton, Massachusetts. This maker is renowned for high-quality American silver, particularly their heavy-gauge hollowware and iconic patterns like Francis I. They held a prestigious reputation until their acquisition in 2015.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition throughout; no base metals or weighted filling visible in this specific open bowl form. Estimated weight is approximately 60-90 grams depending on diameter.
Dimensions
Estimated diameter: 4 to 5 inches (10-13 cm). Estimated height: 1.5 to 2 inches (4-5 cm). This is a standard individual or small table serving size.
Description
A sleek and sophisticated example of American Mid-Century Modernism, this Reed & Barton sterling silver nut bowl exudes understated luxury. Its perfectly hemispherical interior and brilliant mirror finish allow the natural luster of the high-purity silver to serve as the primary ornament. The bowl's classic proportions make it a versatile piece for contemporary entertaining or as a minimalist accent in a silver collection.
Key Features
Minimalist 'Plain' design, heavy-gauge sterling construction, Reed & Barton signature craftsmanship, and a versatile size suited for modern nesting or standalone display.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition throughout; no base metals or weighted filling visible in this specific open bowl form. Estimated weight is approximately 60-90 grams depending on diameter.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished bright finish. The design is intentionally austere, featuring a completely plain interior and exterior with a simple, slightly flared rim. It lacks chasing, etching, or engraving, emphasizing the quality of the metal and the purity of the circular form.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped on the base with the Reed & Barton name, the eagle-lion-R shield trademark, 'Sterling', and a specific four-digit production number (e.g., X726 or similar). It might also include a year-symbol (like a clock or flower) used by the company to denote the decade and year.
Construction Details
Machine-spun silver. This piece was likely formed by spinning a flat sterling disk over a steel chuck on a lathe. The uniform thickness and perfectly circular geometry are hallmarks of professional 20th-century American silver manufacturing.
Functional Features
Deep well design for containing small round items like nuts, candies, or mints. The stable, flat-bottomed interior ensures the bowl does not tip easily despite its light appearance.
Handle & Grip Details
None. This is an open-top bowl design without handles or knobs, intended to be lifted by the sides or the rim.
Craftsmanship Details
Masterful spinning technique resulting in a perfectly balanced form. The rim is likely finished with a slight 'bead' or rounded edge to provide comfort to the fingers and structural rigidity to the bowl.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmark depth and style should strictly match Reed & Barton's mid-century fonts. The weight should feel substantial for its size—hollowware 'fakes' are rarely made in this specific plain style because the labor is in the finish, not the casting.
Origin & Manufacturing
Taunton, Massachusetts, United States. Manufactured in the primary Reed & Barton factory, which was the heart of American silver manufacturing for nearly two centuries.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (circa 1945-1970). The 'Less is More' philosophy of the post-war era is perfectly represented by the lack of Victorian ornamentation and the focus on streamlined, functional elegance.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965. The silhouette and highly polished, undecorated surface are quintessential of mid-century American silver catalogs.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the transition in American dining from the ornate, highly-specialized Victorian table service to a more relaxed, modern aesthetic where pieces were required to be 'multi-functional' and easy to clean.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. The interior shows some light surface scratches and 'pitting' common with salt or nut contact over decades. No major dents or structural warping are visible from the top view, though light tarnish is present. Grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
$120 - $220 USD. Value is driven primarily by its sterling silver weight (melt value) with a premium for the Reed & Barton brand and the popularity of Mid-Century Modern designs.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality cream like Wright's Silver Cream to avoid micro-scratches. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth bag to prevent tarnish. Avoid putting in a dishwasher, as high heat and detergents can dull the sterling finish permanently.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. 'Hampton' Nut Bowl (slightly heavier rim), Gorham 'Puritan' Line (similar minimalism but different base profile), and Scandinavian silver by Georg Jensen (which would have hammer marks).
Interesting Facts
Reed & Barton produced several sets of minimalist bowls that were awarded design prizes in the 1950s. These bowls were often chosen as wedding gifts for the American middle class during the economic boom of the 1950s.