Late Victorian Silver Plate Fiddle Pattern Flatware by George Shadford Lee & Henry Wigfull
Flatware (Spoon or Fork detail) · Lee & Wigfull (George Shadford Lee & Henry Wigfull), Sheffield, England. Founded in 1871, the firm became a prolific manufacturer of electroplated and sterling silver goods, known for high-quality industrial craftsmanship.
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern; a classic 19th-century design characterized by the 'shoulders' on the stem and a handle end shaped like a violin (fiddle). Introduced in the late 18th century, it remained the standard English pattern through the 19th century.
Type
Flatware (Spoon or Fork detail)
Maker
Lee & Wigfull (George Shadford Lee & Henry Wigfull), Sheffield, England. Founded in 1871, the firm became a prolific manufacturer of electroplated and sterling silver goods, known for high-quality industrial craftsmanship.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate. The base is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, which is electrochemically coated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Dimensions
Estimated length 18-21 cm (standard dinner size). Weight estimated 50-70 grams depending on whether it is a fork or spoon. It appears heavy due to the cast nickel silver base.
Description
This piece represents the industrial excellence of Sheffield's Victorian era. While not sterling, Lee & Wigfull's silver plate was designed to offer the middle class the aesthetic and weight of solid silver. The Fiddle pattern is timeless, providing a sturdy, balanced feel that was the staple of British dining for over a century.
Key Features
Distinctive pseudo-hallmarks arranged in five circular cartouches; sharp 'fiddle' shoulders; heavily tarnished matte surface suggesting decades of storage.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) or Silver Plate. The base is an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc, which is electrochemically coated with a thin layer of fine silver.
Finish & Decoration
Satin-worn polish with heavy oxidation/tarnish. The decoration is minimal, adhering to the 'Old English Fiddle' style with simple rectangular shoulders above the tines or bowl bowl and a plain, un-monogrammed handle end.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Pseudo-hallmarks common to silver plate: 'G.S' (George Shadford), 'L', '&', 'W' (Lee & Wigfull), followed by a 'crow's foot' or crown-like symbol. These marks mimic official British sterling hallmarks but lack the lion passant, indicating it is silver plate rather than solid silver.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and die-struck. The piece was cut from a sheet of nickel silver, stamped with the pattern and pseudo-hallmarks, and then electroplated.
Functional Features
Single-piece construction for durability. Fiddle shoulders provide extra grip stability when held.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handle integrated into the piece; featuring a flared 'fiddle' or 'spatula' shape for comfortable palm resting during use.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality; the stamps are cleanly struck but the overall piece lacks the fine hand-chasing of sterling silver counterparts. Characteristic 'rolled edge' consistent with late 19th-century manufacturing.
Authentication Indicators
The 'L&W' mark confirms the Sheffield manufacturer. The absence of a Lion Passant (British Sterling) or Crown (Sheffield Sterling) proves this is electroplate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Sheffield, England. Manufacturing occurred at the Charlotte Street Works, a hub of the industrial metallurgical revolution in the UK.
Era & Period
Late Victorian (c. 1880-1901). The specific hallmark style of Lee & Wigfull shown here was utilized primarily during the late 19th and very early 20th centuries.
Age Estimate
Circa 1885-1895. The wear on the hallmarks and the specific serif font of the 'G.S L&W' stamp align with this decade.
Cultural Significance
Fiddle pattern flatware reflects the transition from hand-wrought luxury to industrial production, democratizing elegant dining for the Victorian public.
Condition Notes
Fair. Significant surface oxidation and 'silver loss' (where the plating wears away to reveal the yellowish nickel silver underneath). The marks are somewhat softened by wear and oxidation.
Value Estimate
$5 - $15 USD. Silver-plated individual pieces have low intrinsic value but are valued as replacements for existing sets or for historical interest.
Care & Maintenance
Gentle cleaning with a silver foam like Wright's. Avoid over-polishing as the thin silver plating can 'bleed' (wear through) to the base metal. Store in acid-free tissue or a silver cloth roll.
Similar Pieces
Walker & Hall Fiddle Pattern, Elkington & Co. Electroplate. Differences include specific maker's marks and slight variations in the 'shoulders' of the handle.
Interesting Facts
Lee & Wigfull produced silver-plated items for many British shipping lines and hotels during the Victorian expansion, making their pieces common in maritime history collections.