British Sterling Silver Teaspoon by Daniel Houle or Similar Maker, London Hallmarked c. 1830
Flatware - Spoon (Teaspoon) · The maker's mark 'DF' is stamped in a shaped shield. While exact identification depends on specific registry records, London makers with these initials active in the early 19th century include silversmiths such as Daniel Houle.
Pattern: Traditional Old English or Fiddle pattern variant typical of the early 19th century, produced before standardized named lines became ubiquitous.
Type
Flatware - Spoon (Teaspoon)
Maker
The maker's mark 'DF' is stamped in a shaped shield. While exact identification depends on specific registry records, London makers with these initials active in the early 19th century include silversmiths such as Daniel Houle.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 fineness), standard British silver alloy containing 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper for durability.
Dimensions
Standard nineteenth-century teaspoon dimensions, approximately 13 to 15 cm in length, with a proportionate weight typical of hand-wrought or die-rolled sterling flatware of the era.
Description
A fine and authentic British sterling silver teaspoon bearing the crisp hallmarks of the London Assay Office. The piece showcases the understated elegance of early 19th-century dining accessories, featuring a classic tapering handle and a well-proportioned bowl. The clearly struck punches provide definitive clues to its metallurgical purity and exact year of origin, making it a wonderful artifact for collectors of Georgian and Victorian silver.
Key Features
Crisp, deeply struck set of four hallmarks including the London leopard's head, lion passant, date letter 'p', and maker's mark 'DF', ensuring complete traceability.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 fineness), standard British silver alloy containing 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper for durability.
Finish & Decoration
High-polished silver finish with gentle utilitarian wear, lacking heavy engraving to allow for personal monograms, featuring smooth clean lines characteristic of early 19th-century flatware.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clear British sterling hallmarks consisting of a date letter 'p' in a shaped cartouche, a Lion Passant indicating sterling purity (.925), a leopard's head for the London Assay Office, and the maker's mark 'DF' enclosed in a shield.
Construction Details
Manufactured using early industrial techniques of the period, likely die-rolled from an ingot to achieve the tapered handle profile, with the bowl shaped and hand-finished.
Functional Features
Designed for stirring tea and transferring sugar or liquids, featuring a classic concave oval bowl and a tapering handle optimized for comfortable grip.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver handle with a plain, flattened terminal, presenting an ergonomic shape designed to fit comfortably in the hand during tea service.
Craftsmanship Details
Exhibits quality traditional British silversmithing with precise hallmark application, smooth edge finishing, and well-balanced weight distribution.
Authentication Indicators
Genuine period hallmarks with correct punch depth, irregular border contours characteristic of 19th-century hand-punched stamps, and realistic age-related surface wear.
Origin & Manufacturing
Originates from London, England, reflecting the rigorous standards of the London Assay Office and the premier silversmithing traditions of Great Britain.
Era & Period
Late Georgian to early Victorian era (circa 1830), identified by the specific lowercase letter punch style and standard London assay marks of the period.
Age Estimate
Circa 1830, determined by the typography and shape of the date letter 'p' combined with the standard town and purity marks of the era.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the height of the British tea culture in the 19th century, where matching or collected sets of silver flatware were essential components of polite domestic life and social status.
Condition Notes
Very good antique condition. Shows expected surface micro-scratches and minor wear consistent with careful use and polishing over nearly two centuries. The bowl maintains its structural integrity without thinning or dents.
Value Estimate
Estimated between $35 and $85 USD depending on the exact collector market, precious metal weight, and the desirability of the specific maker's mark.
Care & Maintenance
Wash gently by hand in warm soapy water using a soft cloth. Dry immediately with a lint-free towel. Polish occasionally with a reputable silver cream like Wright's and store in an anti-tarnish cloth or pouch.
Similar Pieces
Standard British provincial and London teaspoons from the Regency and early Victorian periods, often differentiated primarily by the maker's initials and assay city marks.
Interesting Facts
British silver hallmarks are among the most reliable historical dating systems in the world, allowing historians to trace a piece of flatware to its exact year of assay and manufacturing workshop.
Notes
Spoon