Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Holloware Piece with Pattern Number X171
Hollowware (Serving Piece / Pot Base) · Reed & Barton is a prominent American silversmith and manufacturer based in Taunton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1824 by Isaac Babbitt and later acquired by Henry Reed and Charles Barton, the company grew to become one of the most prestigious and enduring names in American silver, known for high-quality craftsmanship, innovative designs, and massive contributions to both sterling and plated silverware.
Pattern: Reed & Barton model or pattern number X171. Specific pattern marketing names can vary by production run, but numbering systems like X171 typically designate specific utilitarian hollowware lines such as coffee pots, teapots, or water pitchers produced during the mid-20th century.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Piece / Pot Base)
Maker
Reed & Barton is a prominent American silversmith and manufacturer based in Taunton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1824 by Isaac Babbitt and later acquired by Henry Reed and Charles Barton, the company grew to become one of the most prestigious and enduring names in American silver, known for high-quality craftsmanship, innovative designs, and massive contributions to both sterling and plated silverware.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The base is marked clearly with 'STERLING', indicating that the metal consists of 92.5 percent pure silver by weight, alloyed primarily with copper for durability. The interior or handle mechanisms may feature internal reinforcing components such as insulated pins or non-silver internal rods as noted by the 'REENFORCED HANDLE' stamp.
Dimensions
Standard hollowware base dimensions measuring approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter at the base platform. Total precise weight would require an unweighted scale measurement, but pieces of this construction typically utilize a moderate gauge of sterling supported by internal weighting or structural reinforcement.
Description
This is a base component or vessel from a Reed & Barton sterling silver hollowware set, stamped clearly with pattern number X171. The underside reveals authentic period stamps including the iconic maker's name, the purity mark 'STERLING', and an explicit note regarding its reinforced handle construction. Showing honest signs of age, including surface scuffs and tarnish, this piece reflects the sturdy, reliable craftsmanship that made American mid-century sterling service sets highly desirable for both formal dining and daily elite household use.
Key Features
Guaranteed American sterling silver content (.925), crisp manufacturer factory stamps, specific pattern identifier 'X171', and specialized factory notification of structural handle reinforcement.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The base is marked clearly with 'STERLING', indicating that the metal consists of 92.5 percent pure silver by weight, alloyed primarily with copper for durability. The interior or handle mechanisms may feature internal reinforcing components such as insulated pins or non-silver internal rods as noted by the 'REENFORCED HANDLE' stamp.
Finish & Decoration
Satin to light brushed mirror polish finish showing typical directional polishing lines from historical maintenance. Minimalist utilitarian aesthetic characteristic of mid-century functional hollowware, relying on clean, sweeping curves rather than heavy repoussé or chasing.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clearly stamped with the uppercase manufacturer text 'REED & BARTON', followed directly underneath by 'STERLING', a style or pattern designation number 'X171', and the descriptive text 'REENFORCED HANDLE'. The stamping style utilizes a classic sans-serif mid-century press punch.
Construction Details
Machine-assisted spin-forming and raising methods combined with hand-soldered structural seams. The inclusion of a reinforced handle indicates internal structural rods or insulated joints to provide rigid stability and thermal protection for everyday service use.
Functional Features
Designed as part of a beverage service (such as a teapot, coffee pot, or hot water jug), featuring structural handle mounts built to withstand daily pouring stress and insulated to prevent heat transfer to the user's hand.
Handle & Grip Details
Handle attachment point marked explicitly as 'REENFORCED HANDLE', suggesting a robust mechanical fastening method using internal pins, bolts, or soldered stress plates to secure the handle securely to the main sterling body without loosening over time.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits solid mid-century industrial silver smithing execution, combining machine-formed body shells with securely reinforced hand-assembled handle joints designed for maximum longevity and everyday utility.
Authentication Indicators
Authenticity is strongly supported by the factory-stamped hallmarks featuring correct typography for Reed & Barton, standard American sterling designation, and logical production numbering format (X171).
Origin & Manufacturing
Manufactured in Taunton, Massachusetts, United States. Reed & Barton operated out of their historic New England plant, upholding American sterling manufacturing traditions that competed directly with companies like Gorham, Tiffany, and Wallace.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern / Post-War Era (c. 1940-1965). This is indicated by the clean, industrial font style of the hallmarks and the specific layout of the maker's stamp combined with the model numbering convention.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940 to 1960. The exact font layout on the base stamp corresponds to Reed & Barton's mid-20th-century marking standards before corporate transitions later in the century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-WWII American domestic ideal where fine sterling silver hollowware transitioned from exclusively ultra-wealthy status symbols into accessible luxury items for middle-to-upper-class family dining and entertaining.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good vintage condition. The surface displays moderate overall tarnish, minor scratches, and surface wear consistent with age and regular polishing. The structural integrity appears solid with no visible major dents, splits, or repairs at the base ring.
Value Estimate
Market value ranges generally from $150 to $400 depending primarily on the total silver weight, the specific piece's completeness if part of a set, and current scrap or collector demand for Reed & Barton hollowware.
Care & Maintenance
Clean periodically with a reputable, non-abrasive silver polish like Wright's Silver Cream or a microfiber polishing cloth. Store in a tarnish-resistant flannel pouch or anti-tarnish silver storage chest away from high humidity and rubber compounds.
Similar Pieces
Similar hollowware items produced by contemporary American manufacturers such as Gorham, International Silver, and Wallace, which often utilized comparable alphanumeric model numbering systems for their tea and coffee service components.
Interesting Facts
Reed & Barton was famously commissioned to create custom sterling silver tableware for various presidential administrations and high-profile international ocean liners, cementing their reputation for sturdy, reliable luxury goods.