Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Flatware Piece
Flatware (Serving Piece or Utensil) · Reed & Barton
Pattern: Unidentified Reed & Barton Pattern
Type
Flatware (Serving Piece or Utensil)
Maker
Reed & Barton
Material
Sterling Silver (.925)
Dimensions
Standard sizing for an American sterling flatware service piece; weight requires scale measurement.
Description
A classic American sterling silver flatware piece featuring the distinct maker's punch for Reed & Barton, one of America's premier silversmithing companies. The clear hallmark impressions indicate high-quality manufacturing standards from their Taunton, Massachusetts factories.
Key Features
Clear 'R&B' maker's mark punch and standard American sterling silver classification stamps.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925)
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish with traditional stamped hallmarks
Hallmarks & Stamps
Includes the 'R&B' maker's mark inside an oval cartouche, followed by standard American sterling purity and trademark symbols characteristic of Reed & Barton production.
Construction Details
Die-struck and machine-finished standard American commercial flatware production.
Functional Features
Designed for dining utility or serving purposes.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle with ergonomic shaping typical of late 19th or 20th-century flatware.
Craftsmanship Details
Precision die-struck manufacturing with clean edges and clearly impressed maker marks demonstrating high factory quality control.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic manufacturer stamping with crisp, deeply struck punch marks ('R&B' in oval and associated purity symbols) characteristic of authentic Reed & Barton output.
Origin & Manufacturing
Taunton, Massachusetts, United States
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Mid-20th Century
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1950, based on the traditional 'R&B' punch mark style.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of American industrial silversmithing and middle-to-upper class dining traditions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Condition Notes
Very good vintage condition with minor surface micro-scratches consistent with gentle use and age-appropriate tarnish.
Value Estimate
Modest collector market value depending on the specific pattern identification, total weight, and form of the flatware piece.
Care & Maintenance
Wash gently with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; polish periodically with a reputable silver cream like Wright's and store in tarnish-resistant cloth.
Similar Pieces
Comparable sterling flatware by contemporary American makers such as Gorham, Tiffany & Co., and Wallace.
Interesting Facts
Reed & Barton traces its roots back to 1824 when Isaac Babbitt started the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company, later becoming Reed & Barton in 1848, and famously supplied fine silver to the White House.