Victorian Style Silver Plate Coffee Pot by Reed & Barton
Hollowware (Coffee Pot) · Reed & Barton, founded in 1824 in Taunton, Massachusetts. This prominent American silversmithing firm was renowned for high-quality silver plate and sterling during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Pattern: Rococo Revival Pattern (resembling the 'Victorian' or 'Heron' ornamental styles), likely an early to mid-20th-century reproduction of mid-Victorian design.
Type
Hollowware (Coffee Pot)
Maker
Reed & Barton, founded in 1824 in Taunton, Massachusetts. This prominent American silversmithing firm was renowned for high-quality silver plate and sterling during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over copper base metal. Features a carved dark wood or ebonized handle acting as a heat insulator.
Dimensions
Estimated height: 9–10 inches; Weight: approximately 700–900 grams including the handle. This is standard for a full-sized individual or lunch-service coffee pot.
Description
An elegant silver-plated coffee pot featuring a pear-shaped (bulbous) lower body and a slender, flared neck. The body is adorned with an intricate engraved cartouche of scrolls and floral elements, intentionally left blank for a monogram. Its silhouette is a classic interpretation of the Victorian coffee pot, blending utility with the decorative excess of the 19th-century Rococo Revival movement.
Key Features
Ebonized wood handle, elongated gooseneck spout, and the signature Reed & Barton high-luster plating which mimics the appearance of sterling silver.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate over copper base metal. Features a carved dark wood or ebonized handle acting as a heat insulator.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with Rococo-style scrolling foliate engraving on the bulbous body. Includes reed-and-ribbon molding around the rim and a fleur-de-lis shield motif.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped 'Reed & Barton' with the 'EP' (Electroplate) mark and a specific production number. May include the company's trademark symbols (eagle, R, lion) used for their plated lines.
Construction Details
Machine-spun body with cast silver-plated spout and handle sockets. The lid is likely hinged with a bezel fit. The handle is pinned into ferrules to protect the user from heat.
Functional Features
Gooseneck spout for controlled pouring, high-domed lid with a silver-plated finial, and a hinged lid mechanism designed for one-handed operation using the thumb rest.
Handle & Grip Details
C-scroll ebonized wood handle providing ergonomic grip and thermal insulation. The handle is attached via pinned silver-plated sockets.
Craftsmanship Details
Displays high-quality industrial craftsmanship. The engraving is crisp and symmetrical, and the solder joints at the spout and handle are seamless to the eye.
Authentication Indicators
Visual consistency with Reed & Barton's mid-century catalog; proper wear on the base; typical wood-to-metal pin construction used in mass-market tea services of that era.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in the United States, Taunton, Massachusetts. Reed & Barton was a leader in industrial silversmithing techniques like electroplating.
Era & Period
Late Victorian/Edwardian Revival Style. Though the motif is mid-19th century, the clean execution suggests a manufacturing date in the early to mid-20th century (c. 1910–1940).
Age Estimate
Circa 1920–1950. The precise engraving and machine-finished rim are characteristic of high-quality early 20th-century production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in the American household, where silver-plated services allowed middle-class families to emulate the formal dining rituals of the elite.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The silver plating appears well-preserved with little to no 'bleeding' (base metal showing through). Minor tarnish in the recessed engraving. Handle is secure.
Value Estimate
$75.00 - $150.00. Value depends greatly on whether it is part of a complete 5-piece set or sold as an individual decorative item.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's) and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners that strip the thin silver layer. Hand wash only; do not soak the wooden handle.
Similar Pieces
Sheffield Plate coffee pots (which would show copper bleed at the edges) or Gorham's 'Victorian' pattern plate. Sterling versions would be significantly heavier and more expensive.
Interesting Facts
Reed & Barton was chosen to design and produce the medals for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, showcasing their continued reputation for metalworking excellence.