Elias Lousada Georgian Sterling Silver Flatware, London
Flatware (Likely a Spoon or Fork handle section) · Elias Lousada. A prominent Jewish silversmith in London, he lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Lousada family was part of the Sephardic Jewish community and included several notable members in finance and trade as well as craft.
Pattern: Likely Old English or Fiddle Pattern, common for the late Georgian period (c. 1790-1810).
Type
Flatware (Likely a Spoon or Fork handle section)
Maker
Elias Lousada. A prominent Jewish silversmith in London, he lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Lousada family was part of the Sephardic Jewish community and included several notable members in finance and trade as well as craft.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition with no base metals or plating.
Dimensions
Standard dining size flatware. For a tablespoon of this era, length is typically 8-9 inches, weighing 55-75 grams.
Description
This is a fine example of late Georgian silver flatware by the specialist maker Elias Lousada. The hallmarks are exceptionally clear for their age, showing the distinct 'EL' punch which is highly sought after by collectors of Anglo-Jewish silver. The piece exhibits the substantial weight and balance typical of high-quality early 19th-century English silver.
Key Features
Exceedingly crisp 'EL' maker's mark; characteristic shield shapes for George III assay marks; hand-cut die stamps.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition with no base metals or plating.
Finish & Decoration
Satin or brushed finish from years of use and polishing. The original finish would have been a high-mirror polish. Signs of age-related 'silky' patina.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The image shows five distinct marks: 1. 'EL' (Maker's mark for Elias Lousada). 2. Lion Passant (British Sterling standard mark). 3. P (Date letter, likely London 1810). 4. F (Additional character mark, possibly duty or specialized tally). 5. Leopard's Head crowned (London Assay Office).
Construction Details
Hand-forged from a single silver ingot. Evidence of hammering and hand-shaping before the final planishing and polishing.
Functional Features
Tapered handle for grip; the hallmark arrangement is typical for George III distal handle placement.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle. Integrated construction with the head of the utensil.
Craftsmanship Details
The clean, deep strikes of the hallmarks indicate a high-quality strike on a well-tempered piece of silver. The edges of the stamps are sharp, suggesting the dies were in excellent condition.
Authentication Indicators
The punch shapes for the Lion Passant and Leopard's Head match specific London 1810 records. The spacing and depth of strike are consistent with hand-struck hammers rather than modern casts.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England. Manufactured in a traditional urban workshop using manual forging techniques.
Era & Period
Georgian Period (George III era). Specifically c. 1810 based on the date letter 'P' following the hallmark cycle.
Age Estimate
Circa 1810. The stamps are consistent with the early 19th-century London marking system.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of the British silver standard and the rise of Jewish artisans within the London guilds during the Enlightenment era.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The hallmarks show minimal clipping or wear. Surface shows fine 'fire-scale' and micro-scratches consistent with 200 years of careful use. No signs of repair or monogram removal thinning.
Value Estimate
$150 - $350 for a single spoon; significantly higher if part of a matched set. The Jewish silversmith provenance adds a 20-30% premium.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag. Avoid machine washing at all costs to preserve the soft patina.
Similar Pieces
Work by William Eley and William Fearn (contemporaries); pieces by Hester Bateman (earlier Georgian). Bateman pieces command higher premiums due to name recognition, though Lousada's work is rarer.
Interesting Facts
Elias Lousada was one of the few recognized Jewish silversmiths operating in London during the Napoleonic Wars era. His work is often found in museum collections focusing on minority artisans in the Georgian trade.