Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Teaspoon in the English King Pattern
Flatware (Spoon) · Tiffany & Co., New York. Founded in 1837, Tiffany became the premier American silversmithing house, setting the standard for .925 sterling silver in the United States and famously winning the grand prize for silver at the 1878 Paris Exposition.
Pattern: English King pattern (based on the historical 'King's Pattern'), introduced by Tiffany & Co. in 1885. It remains one of the company's most prestigious and sought-after patterns, characterized by its ornate Neoclassical shell and scroll terminals.
Type
Flatware (Spoon)
Maker
Tiffany & Co., New York. Founded in 1837, Tiffany became the premier American silversmithing house, setting the standard for .925 sterling silver in the United States and famously winning the grand prize for silver at the 1878 Paris Exposition.
Material
Sterling Silver (purity of .925/1000). Solid composition with high silver content as indicated by the 'STERLING' stamp on the reverse of the handle.
Dimensions
Approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length. Estimated weight between 35 and 45 grams, consistent with the heavy gauge used in Tiffany's high-tier flatware collections.
Description
This is a quintessential piece of American luxury: a Tiffany & Co. sterling silver teaspoon in the English King pattern. The piece demonstrates the high-relief die-striking and massive silver weight that established Tiffany as the peerless leader in American silver. The reverse displays the elegant drop joinery and the clear, recessed stamps that denote its authenticity and prestigious origin.
Key Features
Deeply recessed 'TIFFANY & CO.' stamp, reinforced drop heel, heavy gauge sterling silver, and the iconic 'm' date letter marking system.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (purity of .925/1000). Solid composition with high silver content as indicated by the 'STERLING' stamp on the reverse of the handle.
Finish & Decoration
High mirror polish finish with a significant 'drop' (heel) where the handle joins the bowl. The visible portion of the handle shows a tapered neck with recessed markings, leading into the highly ornate, die-struck English King decoration (partially obscured in this view).
Hallmarks & Stamps
Reverse handle features the 'TIFFANY & CO.' maker's mark followed by 'STERLING'. Underneath the sterling mark, a lowercase 'm' date letter is visible. The 'm' mark indicates the stewardship of Charles L. Tiffany (1873-1891) or later iterations depending on specific font styling, though the English King pattern date suggests a late 19th or early 20th-century production.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a heavy gauge silver sheet and hand-finished. The deep 'drop' at the back of the bowl is a hallmark of high-quality construction, providing structural reinforced strength at the stress point of the neck.
Functional Features
Standard teaspoon bowl proportioned for tea service, stirring, or eating desserts. The reinforced heel is designed to prevent bending during use.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle with an ergonomic taper. The construction is solid (not hollow-handled), ensuring a balanced weight in the hand. The texture of the pattern provides extra grip and masks fingerprints.
Craftsmanship Details
Evident in the precision of the die-strike and the crispness of the letters in the 'TIFFANY & CO.' mark. The smooth transition from the handle to the bowl shows expert finishing and hand-polishing.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmark consistency is excellent; the typeface of 'STERLING' and 'TIFFANY & CO.' matches original 19th-century dies. The weight and the specific shape of the bowl-to-handle transition are characteristic of authentic Tiffany flatware.
Origin & Manufacturing
New York, USA. Manufactured in the Tiffany & Co. silver workshop, which utilized both cutting-edge steam-powered die-striking presses and skilled hand-engravers for finishing.
Era & Period
Aesthetic Movement / Late Victorian (introduced 1885). The design reflects the 19th-century revival of 18th-century French and English Neoclassical motifs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1885-1910 based on the 'm' mark and the early crispness of the handle stamps.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Gilded Age' of American dining, where silver sets could include over 100 specialized pieces. Tiffany silver was a primary status symbol for the rising American elite in the late 19th century.
Condition Notes
Very Good condition. Shows light surface micro-scratching consistent with gentle use and age. The hallmarks are clear and have not been over-polished. No signs of thinning in the bowl or significant dents.
Value Estimate
$75 - $125 USD (per individual teaspoon), depending on specific age and condition. Value is significantly higher for pieces without monograms or pieces with rare date letters.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash with mild soap; polish with a high-quality silver cream like Wright's. Avoid automated dishwashers as the heat and detergents can dull the finish and damage the silver over time.
Similar Pieces
Gorham 'Old French', Reed & Barton 'Francis I', or Towle 'King Richard'. Tiffany’s version is distinguished by its more massive weight and the specific arrangement of the shell and honeysuckle motifs.
Interesting Facts
The English King pattern was often used in the White House and by prominent American industrialist families during the Gilded Age. It is one of the heaviest and most complex patterns produced by Tiffany.