Elkington & Co. Silver-Plated Table Spoon, Fiddle, Thread and Shell Pattern
Flatware (Spoon, Table/Serving size) · Elkington & Co., Birmingham, England. Founded by George and Henry Elkington in the 1830s, the company was the pioneer of the commercial electroplating process and gained worldwide renown, holding numerous Royal Warrants.
Pattern: Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern. This is a classic 19th-century English pattern featuring a fiddle-shaped handle with a thin raised thread border and a distinctive shell motif at the terminal.
Type
Flatware (Spoon, Table/Serving size)
Maker
Elkington & Co., Birmingham, England. Founded by George and Henry Elkington in the 1830s, the company was the pioneer of the commercial electroplating process and gained worldwide renown, holding numerous Royal Warrants.
Material
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy known as Nickel Silver, which has been electrolytically coated with a layer of pure silver.
Dimensions
Estimated length 20-22 cm (8-8.5 inches); typical weight for an Elkington EPNS table spoon is approximately 80-95 grams. This is a large 'table' or serving size spoon.
Description
A robust and elegant table spoon by arguably the most famous name in silver plating history. This piece features the regal Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, a staple of British formal dining. The deep strikes of the shell and the crispness of the threads demonstrate the superior quality of Elkington's industrial craftsmanship, which was often considered equal to solid sterling silver in terms of design and durability.
Key Features
Elkington 'crown' mark; Design Registration number Rd. 708838; the specific Victorian-revival shell style terminal; high-gauge industrial construction.
Material & Composition
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS). The base is a copper-nickel-zinc alloy known as Nickel Silver, which has been electrolytically coated with a layer of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror-polished silver finish with die-struck decoration. Features a terminal with a three-lobed shell motif and a double-threaded border running the length of the handle.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The piece bears Elkington's proprietary pseudo-hallmarks for silver plate: 'E&Co' in a shield (Maker), a crown in a circle (Elkington mark), 'E', 'P', and a date letter 'A' in a circle. There is also a Design Registration number 'Rd. 708838' stamped higher on the stem.
Construction Details
Die-struck/Machine-made. The form and pattern were stamped using heavy industrial presses. The marks are deeply struck, characteristic of Elkington's high-quality production standards.
Functional Features
Tapered stem and wide oval bowl for serving large portions. The thick handle provides significant structural rigidity for heavy use.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal handle (not hollow). The Fiddle shape provides a comfortable grip, wide at the terminal and narrowing before the bowl. Texture from the threaded border adds tactile stability.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial production. The symmetry of the threads and the precision of the registration number stamp indicate a high-level factory environment. It possesses a 'heft' and balance that distinguishes it from cheaper silver-plated alternatives.
Authentication Indicators
Clear and consistent Elkington corporate marks. The placement of the 'Rd' number is standard for 20th-century Elkington production. The wear pattern is consistent with silver-plated nickel silver rather than solid silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Produced in Elkington's Newhall Street works, which was one of the most technologically advanced silver and plating factories in the world.
Era & Period
Late Interwar / early Mid-Century modern production of a Victorian-era design. While the pattern is 19th century, the specific registration number and stamps point to a later manufacture period.
Age Estimate
Circa 1925. The date letter 'A' in a circle within the Elkington plating system combined with registration number 708838 (registered around 1924) indicates mid-1920s production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in the 19th and 20th centuries. Elkington's invention of electroplating allowed the emerging middle class to own table services that looked identical to the solid silver used by the aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. There are visible surface scratches and 'flea bites' consistent with used flatware. Visible tarnish (sulfide buildup) in the recesses of the pattern and marks. No significant 'bleeding' (base metal showing through silver) is immediately apparent in the image.
Value Estimate
$10 - $25 USD. Silver-plated flatware, even by prestigious makers like Elkington, has low intrinsic metal value and is typically priced for its utility and historical charm rather than as an investment.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream like Wright's. Avoid abrasive 'dip' cleaners which can strip the plating over time. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth to minimize the need for aggressive polishing.
Similar Pieces
Mappin & Webb Prince's Plate or Walker & Hall silver plate in the same Fiddle and Shell pattern. Differences lie primarily in the maker's marks and the specific style of the shell lobes.
Interesting Facts
Elkington & Co. provided the silver-plated flatware and hollowware for the RMS Titanic. Their plating was of such high quality it was often called 'Elkington Plate' as a standalone category of excellence.