Victorian Fiddle and Thread Pattern Sterling Silver Teaspoons
Flatware (Teaspoons) · Attributed to Chawner & Co (George Adams) with Huddersfield retailer marks. Chawner & Co was one of the most prolific and high-quality flatware manufacturers of the Victorian era.
Pattern: Fiddle and Thread Pattern, introduced in the late 18th century and highly popular throughout the 19th century; discontinued by most major manufacturers but widely available on the secondary market.
Type
Flatware (Teaspoons)
Maker
Attributed to Chawner & Co (George Adams) with Huddersfield retailer marks. Chawner & Co was one of the most prolific and high-quality flatware manufacturers of the Victorian era.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid metal composition throughout (not weighted).
Dimensions
Standard teaspoon length (approx. 13-14 cm). Estimated weight of 25-30 grams per spoon; approximately 225-270 grams for the set of nine.
Description
A fine set of nine Victorian sterling silver teaspoons in the esteemed Fiddle and Thread pattern. This set displays the substantial weight and crisp detailing characteristic of London-made silver. The absence of monograms makes them highly desirable for modern use, while the retailer stamps add a layer of regional English provenance.
Key Features
Double-threaded border, fiddle-shape silhouette, distinct 'shoulders' at the base of the stem, and crisp London hallmarks.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid metal composition throughout (not weighted).
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with 'thread' border decoration. Features a prominent 'fiddle' shaped handle and a decorative 'shell' or 'union' terminal. Classical Victorian aesthetic without monograms on the cartouches.
Hallmarks & Stamps
British hallmarks: Lion Passant (Sterling), Queen's Head (Duty Mark), Leopard's Head (London), and date letters from the mid-19th century. Includes 'A.P. LUMBARD & SON HUDDERSFIELD' retailer stamps.
Construction Details
Die-struck construction for pattern uniformity, then hand-finished and polished. The 'shoulders' on the neck indicate a high-quality struck process typical of London workshops.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowls for tea service, reinforced heels at the bowl-to-stem transition for durability against bending.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handles, integral to the bowl. Fiddle-shaped stems with threaded borders providing aesthetic texture and improved grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent die-striking quality. The definition of the 'thread' remains sharp, indicating high-quality steel dies were used during manufacture.
Authentication Indicators
Deeply struck, authentic London hallmarks. Correct wear patterns on the backs of the bowls (heels). Consistent weight and gauge typical of 19th-century sterling production.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England (Assay Office). Manufactured in a specialist flatware workshop and sold through a high-end retailer in Huddersfield.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (1837-1901). The design reflects the mid-century preference for weightier, more ornate variations of Georgian simplicity.
Age Estimate
Circa 1850-1875 based on the duty mark (Queen Victoria) and the specific style of the Fiddle and Thread variant.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 19th-century ritual of tea service as a marker of social status and the growth of the manufacturing industry in London that supplied provincial retailers.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Moderate surface tarnish (sulfide deposits) visible. Light surface scratching consistent with age and use. No visible bowl thinning or tip wear. Overall grade: Very Good.
Value Estimate
$250 - $450 USD for the set, depending on total troy ounce weight and specific date letter rarity.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a non-abrasive silver cream (e.g., Wright's) and a soft cotton cloth. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth roll to prevent tarnish. Avoid dishwasher use at all costs.
Similar Pieces
Plain Fiddle pattern (lacks the thread), King's Pattern (more ornate shell), or Gorham's 'Threaded' patterns (American versions with different hallmarks).
Interesting Facts
The Fiddle and Thread pattern was the dining standard for the upper-middle class in Victorian England, often gifted as wedding presents to establish a family's 'good' silver service.