Wilkens & Söhne Robbe & Berking Style Silver Plate Table Spoon
Flatware - Table Spoon/Large Spoon · The spoon features the name 'L. Lendorf 1810', which is likely a retailer mark or a commemorative family name. The manufacturing marks indicate mass production by a German silversmith firm, potentially Wilkens & Söhne or Robbe & Berking, who specialized in high-quality silver plate for German estates and hotels.
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern (Spatenmuster). This is a classic Continental European design characterized by the flared 'shoulders' near the bowl and a flattened, broad handle end. It has been in production since the late 18th century and remains a staple of German flatware.
Type
Flatware - Table Spoon/Large Spoon
Maker
The spoon features the name 'L. Lendorf 1810', which is likely a retailer mark or a commemorative family name. The manufacturing marks indicate mass production by a German silversmith firm, potentially Wilkens & Söhne or Robbe & Berking, who specialized in high-quality silver plate for German estates and hotels.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The presence of the numeral '90' or '100' (often seen on these pieces) indicates the thickness of the silver plating. The base metal is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy known as Alpacca or German Silver.
Dimensions
Estimated length is approximately 20-21 cm (8 inches). Estimated weight is 60-75 grams. This is a standard Continental 'Table Spoon' size, larger than a standard American teaspoon.
Description
A classic example of German utilitarian elegance, this silver-plated table spoon features the iconic Spaten pattern. The reverse of the handle bears a crisp stamp for 'L. Lendorf 1810'. Its heavy gauge and substantial size make it a quintessential piece of European dining history, representing the transition from hand-wrought Georgian silver to high-quality industrial silver plate.
Key Features
Retailer's mark 'L. Lendorf 1810', classic 'Spaten' (Fiddle) shoulders, and a pictorial hallmark on the bowl's heel.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver). The presence of the numeral '90' or '100' (often seen on these pieces) indicates the thickness of the silver plating. The base metal is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy known as Alpacca or German Silver.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with a simple, unadorned surface. The decoration is purely functional, following the 'Spaten' (Spade) or 'Fiddle' tradition of the Biedermeier period, prioritizing clean lines and ergonomic handling.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The stamp 'L. Lendorf 1810' is visible on the reverse of the handle. This is an atypical mark, where '1810' refers to a founding date of a firm rather than the manufacture date of the spoon. There is a small pictorial mark on the back of the bowl, likely a manufacturer's logo or a silver-thickness hallmark (e.g., a wheel or eagle icon).
Construction Details
Machine-stamped from a flat sheet of nickel silver and then electroplated. The crispness of the 'Lendorf' lettering and the uniformity of the 'shoulders' on the neck indicate industrial production methods from the late 19th or early 20th century.
Functional Features
Deep, egg-shaped bowl designed for soups or serving. The flat handle prevents the spoon from rolling when placed on a table setting.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handle integrated with the bowl (one-piece construction). The handle flares at the end in a 'spade' shape, providing a comfortable grip for the palm.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent industrial craftsmanship. The stamp is perfectly aligned, and the transition between the bowl and the stem is smoothed with high precision, showing the quality control of a major German factory.
Authentication Indicators
The 'Lendorf' stamp is professionally struck. The wear patterns on the back of the bowl (where it rests on the table) are appropriate for an antique piece. The plating thickness is indicative of high-quality German '90' or '100' grade plating.
Origin & Manufacturing
Germany. The 'Spatenmuster' (Spade pattern) and the surname 'Lendorf' are strongly associated with North German or Prussian silver manufacturing traditions centered in cities like Bremen or Berlin.
Era & Period
Biedermeier Revival / Neoclassical. While the mark says 1810, the crispness of the stamp and the condition suggest the piece was manufactured in the late 19th century (c. 1880-1910) following earlier Napoleonic-era designs.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1920. The 1810 date is a 'firm founded' date rather than a production date. The electroplating technique and font style of the stamp are consistent with the turn of the 20th century.
Cultural Significance
The Fiddle pattern was the standard for the rising European middle class in the 19th century, symbolizing a departure from ornate aristocratic styles in favor of 'Honest' Biedermeier simplicity.
Condition Notes
Very Good condition. Light surface scratches (brush marks) consistent with moderate use and cleaning. No evidence of 'bleeding' (base metal showing through silver). Minimal tarnish.
Value Estimate
Estimated $15 - $30 USD. The value is primarily as a collectible replacement piece or for daily use, as silver-plated flatware does not carry significant bullion value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid abrasive sponges which can strip the silver plating. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth roll to maintain the mirror finish.
Similar Pieces
Wilkens 'Spaten' Sterling, Christofle 'Fidélio', or Gorham 'Old French'. The German version is distinguished by the sharper, more angular 'shoulders' at the base of the stem.
Interesting Facts
The date 1810 frequently appears on German silver of this era to commemorate the resilience of German trade during the Napoleonic Wars. Pieces marked with retailer names like Lendorf were often sold in specialized 'Besteck-Häuser' (cutlery houses) in major German cities.