Cooper Brothers & Sons Sterling Silver Old English Pattern Serving Spoon
Flatware - Serving Spoon · Cooper Brothers & Sons (Sheffield, England), founded in 1866; highly regarded for high-quality domestic hollowware and flatware.
Pattern: Old English Pattern, a timeless 18th-century design characterized by its simple, unadorned rounded handle end.
Type
Flatware - Serving Spoon
Maker
Cooper Brothers & Sons (Sheffield, England), founded in 1866; highly regarded for high-quality domestic hollowware and flatware.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) as indicated by the British Lion Passant hallmark.
Dimensions
Approximately 20-22 cm in length; typical weight for a solid sterling serving spoon of this era is 65-85 grams.
Description
This elegant serving spoon showcases the refined simplicity of British silversmithing between the wars. Crafted in Sheffield by the prestigious Cooper Brothers & Sons, the piece features the classic Old English lines that allow the quality of the sterling silver to shine without the distraction of ornate patterns.
Key Features
Distinctive 4-part hallmark aligned vertically in the bowl; classic 'Old English' rounded handle; high-purity Sheffield sterling manufacture.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) as indicated by the British Lion Passant hallmark.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish surface; minimalist design with no elaborate chasing or engraving, focusing on elegant proportions.
Hallmarks & Stamps
CB&S (Maker: Cooper Bros & Sons), Crown (Sheffield Assay Office), Lion Passant (British Sterling Standard), and lowercase 'i' (Date Letter for 1926).
Construction Details
Die-struck from a single sheet of sterling silver with a deep-set bowl and tapering neck.
Functional Features
Oval bowl designed for serving vegetables or side dishes; elongated handle for easy reach.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle with a slight upward turn at the terminal, typical of the Old English style.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits excellent balance and smooth finishing along the edges; high-clarity stamps suggest it was struck from fresh dies.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmarks are deep and crisp, consistently struck with appropriate spacing and shape for 1926 Sheffield hallmarks.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield, United Kingdom; a world-renowned center for silver manufacturing and craftsmanship traditions.
Era & Period
George V / Interwar Period (1920s); follows the late Victorian and Edwardian tradition of neoclassical simplicity.
Age Estimate
Produced in the year 1926, based on the Sheffield date letter 'i' visible in the hallmark sequence.
Cultural Significance
Represents the shift toward 'modern' understated luxury in the 1920s, moving away from high-Victorian fussiness.
Condition Notes
Very Good/Excellent; showing typical light surface 'use-marks' and fine scratching consistent with age and careful polishing.
Value Estimate
$120 - $180 USD, depending on weight and regional demand for Sheffield sterling flatware.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with warm soapy water; polish with a high-quality silver cream like Hagerty's to maintain luster; store in anti-tarnish cloth.
Similar Pieces
Gorham 'Old French' or 'Chantilly' patterns; Tiffany 'Faneuil'. Differing primarily in the specific hallmarks and bowl depth.
Interesting Facts
The Cooper Brothers firm was prestigious enough to exhibit at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, just two years before this spoon was made.