Roberts & Dore Silver Plate Teaspoon in Art Deco Style
Flatware - Teaspoon · Roberts & Dore (R&D), established in 1908 in London and Sheffield, England; known for high-quality silver plate and cutlery.
Pattern: Geometric Art Deco; likely an uncatalogued early 20th-century production run, discontinued.
Type
Flatware - Teaspoon
Maker
Roberts & Dore (R&D), established in 1908 in London and Sheffield, England; known for high-quality silver plate and cutlery.
Material
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) over a base metal of nickel silver; no solid silver content.
Dimensions
Estimated length 5.5 inches (14 cm); approximate weight 25-30 grams; standard teaspoon size.
Description
A classic example of mid-20th century British utility silver plate, this teaspoon features the clean, progressive lines favored during the interwar period. The Roberts & Dore mark signifies a piece for daily use rather than a bespoke commission.
Key Features
Triple-stamped EPNS mark, architectural 'stepped' design at the bowl junction, and a tapered, clipped handle terminal.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) over a base metal of nickel silver; no solid silver content.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with clean, linear Art Deco geometric stepping on the handle neck and a clipped triangular terminal.
Hallmarks & Stamps
"EP R&D NS" (Electroplated, Roberts & Dore, Nickel Silver) and "MADE IN ENGLAND" in a rectangular cartouche.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped/die-struck from a flat sheet of nickel silver, followed by electroplating and mechanical polishing.
Functional Features
Tapered handle for grip, deep oval bowl for stirring or measuring, and angled terminal for aesthetic design.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handle integral to the spoon body; chamfered edges and geometric detailing for Art Deco appeal.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality; well-defined die-striking but lacks the depth and hand-finishing found in sterling counterparts.
Authentication Indicators
Marks are consistent with Roberts & Dore's transition to industrial labeling; wear patterns show honest use over several decades.
Origin & Manufacturing
London or Sheffield, United Kingdom; manufactured by mass-production industrial electroplating methods.
Era & Period
Art Deco (1920-1940); identified by the architectural stepping and crisp, non-floral geometric lines.
Age Estimate
Circa 1930-1950; based on the specific typography of the 'Made in England' mark and Art Deco styling.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury, where silver-look tableware became affordable for the middle class via electroplating technology.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; significant tarnish and 'plate loss' or 'bleed' where the base nickel silver is visible through the worn silver layer.
Value Estimate
$2 - $10 USD; low market value due to being silver plate (not sterling) and showing significant surface wear.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soap; use non-abrasive silver cream sparingly to avoid further stripping the thin silver plate layer; store in dry felt.
Similar Pieces
Sheffield silver plate by Walker & Hall or Elkington; differs by having the R&D specific maker mark and specific geometric steps.
Interesting Facts
Roberts & Dore provided silver for numerous luxury hotels and shipping lines, making their pieces common in mid-century British households.