Reed & Barton Victorian Pattern Silverplate Hollowware (Model 6700)
Hollowware (likely a Creamer, Sugar Bowl, or small Teapot base section) · Reed & Barton, founded in 1824 in Taunton, Massachusetts. One of the most prestigious American silver manufacturers of the 19th and 20th centuries, known for high-quality silverplate and sterling flatware.
Pattern: Victorian pattern (introduced mid-20th century). It is an ornate revival design inspired by European Rococo and Victorian aesthetics.
Type
Hollowware (likely a Creamer, Sugar Bowl, or small Teapot base section)
Maker
Reed & Barton, founded in 1824 in Taunton, Massachusetts. One of the most prestigious American silver manufacturers of the 19th and 20th centuries, known for high-quality silverplate and sterling flatware.
Material
Silverplate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is indicated by the 'Victorian' script mark and the pattern number 6700, which are characteristic of Reed & Barton's plated hollowware lines rather than their sterling lines.
Dimensions
Estimated oval base diameter of 3 to 4 inches. Weight would be significant due to the nickel silver base metal used in high-quality plating, likely between 250-450 grams depending on the specific vessel size.
Description
This piece is a fine example of American mid-century silverplate hollowware from the iconic 'Victorian' collection by Reed & Barton. Featuring deep lobed fluting and a classic oval footprint, the piece represents the 20th-century American desire for formal, traditional dining aesthetics. The high-quality plating process used by Reed & Barton was once guaranteed for decades of hard use, making these pieces popular for wedding gifts and formal hospitality.
Key Features
Distinctive 'Victorian' script trademark beneath the maker's name and the pattern number '6700'; the use of the eagle/lion/shield trademark indicates a piece produced before the company's acquisitions and eventual bankruptcy.
Material & Composition
Silverplate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS). This is indicated by the 'Victorian' script mark and the pattern number 6700, which are characteristic of Reed & Barton's plated hollowware lines rather than their sterling lines.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with a scalloped, lobed, or melon-ribbed body. The 'Victorian' line typically features ornate chased or cast shell-and-scroll borders and repoussé floral motifs.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with an eagle, a shield with an 'R', and a lion (the Reed & Barton trademark logo), followed by 'REED & BARTON' in block letters, the pattern number '6700', and the collection name 'Victorian' in script.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped or spun main body with soldered foot rim and cast decorative elements. The base shows a clean, industrial die-stamp for the hallmarks typical of mid-20th century production.
Functional Features
Includes a raised pedestal footrim for stability and heat dissipation. The 'Victorian' series often includes hinged lids or heat-insulated handles for coffee and tea service.
Handle & Grip Details
The base view suggests this is the body of a vessel; any handles would be cast white metal or nickel silver, soldered to the body with silver-solder joints.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship. The symmetry of the lobes and the precision of the die-stamped hallmarks reflect the sophisticated manufacturing capabilities of the Taunton factory at its peak.
Authentication Indicators
Clear, crisp stamping indicates an authentic Reed & Barton factory production. The wear patterns on the foot rim are consistent with sliding across linens or wooden table surfaces over decades.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in the United States, specifically in the Reed & Barton workshop in Taunton, Massachusetts.
Era & Period
Modern Era (Mid-Century) / Revival Style. Designed in the mid-1900s as a romanticized tribute to the ornate styles of the late 19th-century Victorian era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940s-1970s. The script 'Victorian' mark and the specific orientation of the R&B logo are consistent with this mid-century production window.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-WWII American 'Golden Age' of formal entertaining, where silverplate tea and coffee sets were essential status symbols for the suburban middle class.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows minor micro-scratching/polishing swirls from cleaning but no visible 'bleeding' (where the copper or nickel base metal shows through the silver plating). No major dents or deep pits are visible from the base view.
Value Estimate
$25 - $75 for individual pieces (creamer/sugar); $150 - $400 for a full tea service set. Price depends largely on whether the silver is 'worn through' to the base metal.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive 'dip' cleaners which can strip the thin silver layer and expose the yellowish nickel base below.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with Reed & Barton's 'Winthrop' or 'Regency' patterns. Unlike 'Winthrop' which is often weighted, the 'Victorian' hollowware is generally heavy-gauge unweighted plating.
Interesting Facts
The 'Victorian' pattern 6700 was often used as a more affordable, plated alternative for households that couldn't afford the solid sterling 'Francis I' or 'Burgundy' patterns, yet wanted the same opulent table presence.