Arthur Price & Son Silver Plate Flatware Spoon
Flatware (Spoon) · Arthur Price & Son. Founded in 1902 in Birmingham, England, by Arthur Price. The company is a prestigious British manufacturer known for supplying cutlery to the Royal Family and the RMS Titanic.
Pattern: Unidentified floral/foliate pattern with leaf and bud motifs; commonly found in their early 20th-century silver-plated catalogs.
Type
Flatware (Spoon)
Maker
Arthur Price & Son. Founded in 1902 in Birmingham, England, by Arthur Price. The company is a prestigious British manufacturer known for supplying cutlery to the Royal Family and the RMS Titanic.
Material
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). A base metal of nickel, copper, and zinc coated with a layer of pure silver via electroplating.
Dimensions
Estimated 13-18 cm depending on sub-type (Teaspoon vs Dessert Spoon); approximately 25-45 grams. Not possible to be exact without a scale or reference object.
Description
A classic example of British manufacturing from Arthur Price & Son. The spoon features a distinctive handle decorated with architectural leaves and budding motifs. While not solid sterling, it represents the high-quality silver plate that allowed the rising middle class to enjoy elegant table settings during the early 20th century.
Key Features
The 'A & S' maker's mark in shield cartouches is the primary identifier. The pattern features a unique 'twin leaf' motif at the terminal and center stem.
Material & Composition
EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver). A base metal of nickel, copper, and zinc coated with a layer of pure silver via electroplating.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized and polished finish. The stem features embossed foliate and bud decoration in a transition style between late Victorian floral and early Art Deco geometric linearity.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The stamps 'A & S' followed by 'EP' indicate Arthur Price & Son and Electro-Plated. Note: These are 'pseudo-hallmarks' mimicking the style of sterling silver marks but represent silver plate status.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and die-struck. The pattern is pressed into the handle using high-pressure dies, followed by silver electroplating.
Functional Features
Standard utility spoon designed for domestic dining; features a reinforced stem at the junction of the handle and bowl for durability.
Handle & Grip Details
Tapered handle with raised relief decoration providing tactile grip; solid metal throughout (not hollow).
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial grade die-striking. The detail is crisp, showing high-quality die production characteristic of the Birmingham metalworking tradition.
Authentication Indicators
Stamps are clear and consistent with Arthur Price & Son's EPNS production line. Lack of a Lion Passant or Assayer's mark confirms it is plated rather than sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Produced in the historic Jewellery Quarter/industrial district, a hub for British silver plate production.
Era & Period
Early 20th Century (likely 1910-1935). Shows stylistic elements of the Edwardian era through the early interwar period.
Age Estimate
Circa 1920-1940 based on the 'A & S' mark style and the particular font used in the EP stamp.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in early 20th-century Britain, where plated items allowed for sophisticated 'Sunday Best' dining services.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible heavy tarnish (darkening) in the recessed areas (oxidation). Possible 'bleeding' of the base metal if the silver layer has worn thin on high points.
Value Estimate
5 USD to 15 USD. As a single plated spoon, the value is primarily functional or as a replacement piece for a collector; it does not hold significant bullion value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive polishes or 'silver dips' which can strip the thin electroplated layer and expose the yellowish nickel-silver base.
Similar Pieces
Similar Edwardian patterns by Walker & Hall or Elkington & Co. The key difference is the specific leaf-clasp terminal unique to Arthur Price dies.
Interesting Facts
Arthur Price was the first company in the UK to manufacture spoons and forks from stainless steel, though this specific piece is an earlier silver-plated version.
Notes
Spoon