R. Wallace & Sons Silver Plate Spoon in Floral Pattern c. Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Flatware - Serving Piece / Spoon · R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Company (founded 1835 in Wallingford, Connecticut), a major American silver manufacturer known for high-quality plated and sterling silver flatware and hollowware.
Pattern: Unidentified floral or scroll pattern featuring stylized foliate and bud motifs, likely introduced around the turn of the 20th century.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece / Spoon
Maker
R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Company (founded 1835 in Wallingford, Connecticut), a major American silver manufacturer known for high-quality plated and sterling silver flatware and hollowware.
Material
Silver Plated over a base metal alloy (typically white metal or nickel silver, indicated by the 'A1' grade mark denoting standard quality silver plating).
Dimensions
Standard serving spoon dimensions, likely approximately 20 to 22 cm (8 to 8.5 inches) in length, with a modest weight typical of plated hollow-stem or standard flatware.
Description
An attractive antique silver-plated spoon by R. Wallace & Sons, featuring deeply cast floral and scroll ornamentation on the handle shank. The maker's mark clearly displays the '1835 R. WALLACE A1' stamp, referencing the company's founding year and standard silver-plating quality. The piece exhibits charming period character with natural tarnish consistent with age.
Key Features
Clear '1835 R. Wallace A1' manufacturer stamp, detailed cast floral and foliate relief work on the shank, and classic late 19th-century American silver plate construction.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated over a base metal alloy (typically white metal or nickel silver, indicated by the 'A1' grade mark denoting standard quality silver plating).
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with deeply cast or stamped floral and scroll motifs along the shank, showcasing Art Nouveau or late Victorian design influences.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '1835 R. WALLACE' with an 'A1' quality mark, indicating the company's founding year used as a trade name and the standard quality plating designation.
Construction Details
Die-struck or machine-stamped from a base metal blank and subsequently electroplated with a layer of pure silver, featuring detailed relief work on the handle shank.
Functional Features
Standard spoon bowl designed for serving purposes, with a tapered and shaped handle shank intended for a comfortable ergonomic grip.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid integrated handle formed as part of the main flatware body, featuring decorative raised floral buds and foliate scrolls near the neck and terminal.
Craftsmanship Details
Good quality commercial craftsmanship of the late 19th century, featuring sharp die-stamping for the floral relief and an even electroplated silver finish.
Authentication Indicators
The authentic manufacturer's stamp '1835 R. Wallace A1' is crisp and correctly positioned on the reverse of the handle shank, matching known historical hallmarks used by the company.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Wallingford, Connecticut, United States, by R. Wallace & Sons, utilizing industrialized American manufacturing techniques of the period.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian Period (circa 1890-1910), reflecting the popular organic and floral design motifs of the era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890 to 1915, based on the typography of the '1835 R. Wallace A1' trademark stamp and the floral styling.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian and Edwardian domestic ideals where elegant, patterned silver-plated flatware made refined dining accessible to the growing middle class.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Moderate tarnish and surface micro-scratches consistent with age and light use. Silver plating remains largely intact with no visible base metal bleed-through.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges from $10 to $30 USD depending on collector demand, exact pattern rarity, and overall condition.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm water and mild dish soap using a soft cloth. Polish occasionally with a reputable silver cream (such as Wright's) designed for plated items. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth or pouch.
Similar Pieces
Comparable silver-plated flatware pieces by contemporary American manufacturers like International Silver, Gorham, and Oneida featuring floral or scroll patterns.
Interesting Facts
R. Wallace & Sons used the year '1835' prominently in their backstamps to commemorate the company's origins, even though many items bearing this mark were produced decades later.