British Silver-Plated Flatware with Registered Design Number 742832
Flatware (Likely a Teaspoon, Dessert Spoon, or Fork) · Unknown British Silver-Plate Manufacturer; frequently associated with makers like Harrison Brothers & Howson or Elkington during this period.
Pattern: Streamlined Art Deco or Early Modernist influenced design; the RD number refers to the design registration rather than a named pattern.
Type
Flatware (Likely a Teaspoon, Dessert Spoon, or Fork)
Maker
Unknown British Silver-Plate Manufacturer; frequently associated with makers like Harrison Brothers & Howson or Elkington during this period.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS); the absence of sterling hallmarks (Lion Passant) and the presence of a registry number indicates a base metal with silver coating.
Dimensions
Estimated length 12-18cm; weight approximately 25-45g. Standard size for mid-20th century flatware.
Description
This piece represents the transition in British dining from Victorian excess to Modernist utility. Featuring a clean, architectural handle, it relies on proportion rather than engraving for its aesthetic appeal. Typical of high-quality household silver-plate of the late 1920s.
Key Features
Registered Design number 'RD 742832' is the primary diagnostic feature, dating the patent for this specific shape/pattern to 1929.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver - EPNS); the absence of sterling hallmarks (Lion Passant) and the presence of a registry number indicates a base metal with silver coating.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish on a simple, tapered handle with raised border ridges. Minimalist style transitioning from Late Edwardian to Art Deco.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'RD 742832'. This is a British Registered Design number. The number 742832 was registered with the UK Patent Office in late 1928 or early 1929.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and die-struck from a sheet of Nickel Silver, subsequently electroplated with silver. Factory-scale industrial production.
Functional Features
Single-piece solid handle construction; tapered grip for ergonomic comfort; corrosion-resistant plating.
Handle & Grip Details
Flat, tapered handle with a subtle raised edge or thread detail along the perimeter for tactile grip.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial craftsmanship; precise stamping and consistent thickness, though lacking the unique character of hand-raised silver.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic British industrial marks. The font and spacing of the 'RD' stamp are consistent with UK Board of Trade standards of the 1920s.
Origin & Manufacturing
United Kingdom, likely Sheffield or Birmingham, the hubs of the British silver-plate industry during the early 20th century.
Era & Period
Late Interwar Period / Early Art Deco (c. 1929). Indicators include the registry number sequence and the move toward leaner, less ornate forms.
Age Estimate
Circa 1929. The registration number 742832 confirms the design originated in this specific year.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the democratization of luxury in the early 20th century, where middle-class families could own 'silver' that looked like sterling but was priced for daily use.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible 'bleeding' where the silver plating has worn thin, revealing the yellow-toned nickel silver base metal (common in high-use flatware). Heavy tarnish and surface scratches.
Value Estimate
$2 - $10 USD. Silver-plated individual flatware pieces have low intrinsic value; they are typically sold as 'replacements' for existing sets or for scrap-metal value.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid silver 'dips' as they can strip the thin remaining layer of electroplating. Store in a dry place to prevent further oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Community Plate 'Grosvenor' pattern or Oneida 'Paul Revere' pattern, which share similar minimalist handle shapes from the same era.
Interesting Facts
Registered Design (RD) numbers were used to protect a manufacturer's design from being copied for a set period (usually 5-15 years), bridgeing the gap between copyright and patent.