William Page & Co. Victorian Sterling Silver Caddy Spoon with British Registration Mark
Flatware - Serving Piece (Caddy Spoon) · William Page & Co. (WP maker's mark), working in Birmingham, England. Known for producing quality Victorian silverware, novelties, and flatware items during the late 19th century.
Pattern: Victorian Utility and Novelty Caddy Spoon design featuring a spade-like bowl and an English design registration diamond.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece (Caddy Spoon)
Maker
William Page & Co. (WP maker's mark), working in Birmingham, England. Known for producing quality Victorian silverware, novelties, and flatware items during the late 19th century.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 fineness), standard British silver composition of the Victorian era.
Dimensions
Estimated length approximately 7 to 9 cm (standard caddy spoon size), weight estimated between 10 to 15 grams.
Description
A charming and highly collectible Victorian sterling silver tea caddy spoon by William Page & Co. The spoon features a unique spade-shaped bowl with a pronounced drop at the heel and a clean, unadorned flat handle. The reverse displays a crisp series of struck punches including the 'WP' maker's mark in a heart cartouche and a diamond registration mark, showcasing the maker's adherence to British legal design protection of the period.
Key Features
Spade-form bowl, heart-shaped 'WP' maker's mark punch, and diamond British Design Registration stamp on the reverse of the handle.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 fineness), standard British silver composition of the Victorian era.
Finish & Decoration
Smooth satin and polished finish with a distinctive heart-shaped spade bowl incorporating a drop or rat-tail accent and an incised border line. Plain handle tapering smoothly.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clear struck British hallmarks including the maker's mark 'WP' inside a heart-shaped cartouche, a Victorian-era town/assay mark ('B' for Birmingham or similar punch), a standard purity/duty mark, and a diamond-shaped British Patent/Design Registry mark ('Rd' with associated code).
Construction Details
Die-struck bowl and handle assembly, characteristic of late 19th-century British silver manufacturing where flatware was stamped from rolled silver sheets and hand-finished.
Functional Features
Designed specifically for scooping loose tea leaves from a tea caddy into a teapot, featuring a broad, shallow spade-shaped bowl optimized for measuring tea.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver flat tapered handle providing a simple grip, flowing seamlessly into the distinct spade bowl without a separate inserted joint.
Craftsmanship Details
Good quality Victorian commercial production. Clean, legible hallmark strikes, well-proportioned spade bowl, and smooth edge finishing demonstrate competent 19th-century silversmithing trade skills.
Authentication Indicators
Clear, deeply struck hallmarks with authentic punch borders (heart shape for maker, diamond for registration), correct aging patina, and period-appropriate die-struck manufacturing lines.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Manufactured within the heart of the British silversmithing industry, adhering to strict British assay standards.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (1837-1901), specifically late 19th century as indicated by the shape of the design registration diamond and maker punch style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1870-1890, based on the Victorian design registration diamond format and maker's mark typography.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the heavy cultural emphasis on the Victorian afternoon tea ritual, where specialized silver utensils elevated domestic hospitality and displayed household status.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. Shows expected surface micro-scratches and minor tarnish consistent with age and gentle use. Structural integrity is sound with no repairs, cracks, or thinning of the bowl rim.
Value Estimate
Estimated retail market value between $120 to $250 USD, depending on collector demand, precise date verification, and exact weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Use a professional silver polishing cream (like Wright's) sparingly to avoid wearing down the hallmarks. Store in an anti-tarnish cloth or bag.
Similar Pieces
Other Victorian and Georgian silver caddy spoons by makers such as Hilliard & Thomason, George Unite, or Nathaniel Mills featuring shell, leaf, or jockey cap motifs.
Interesting Facts
Tea caddy spoons are among the most heavily collected categories of antique silver due to their immense variety of whimsical shapes and forms produced during the Georgian and Victorian eras.