Early Victorian Old English Pattern Sterling Silver Serving Spoons
Flatware - Serving Spoons (Table Spoons) · Attributed to Chawner & Co (George William Adams). Chawner & Co was one of the most prolific nineteenth-century sterling silver flatware manufacturers in London, known for high-quality heavy gauge hand-finished pieces.
Pattern: Old English Pattern. A timeless, understated design introduced in the mid-18th century (c. 1760) and remains a staple of British flatware due to its elegant simplicity.
Type
Flatware - Serving Spoons (Table Spoons)
Maker
Attributed to Chawner & Co (George William Adams). Chawner & Co was one of the most prolific nineteenth-century sterling silver flatware manufacturers in London, known for high-quality heavy gauge hand-finished pieces.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid silver construction throughout with no base metals or weighted elements.
Dimensions
Estimated length 8-9 inches (approx. 20-23 cm) each. Estimated weight of 65-75 grams per spoon, totaling approximately 400-450 grams for the set of six.
Description
A classic set of six Victorian sterling silver table spoons in the quintessential Old English pattern. These spoons represent the height of 19th-century British dining etiquette, characterized by their substantial weight, impeccable balance, and refined, unadorned surfaces. The soft curvature of the handles and the deep, generous bowls offer a tactile elegance that machine-made modern silver cannot replicate.
Key Features
Deeply struck hallmarks on the lower stems, generous oval bowl capacity, unmonogrammed terminals, and high-purity sterling silver content.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid silver construction throughout with no base metals or weighted elements.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with rounded 'Old English' terminals. The pieces are plain without engraving or monograms (unmonogrammed), which is often preferred by modern collectors.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The spoons bear British hallmarks: Lion Passant (purity), Leopard's Head (London Assay Office), Date Letter (cursive/gothic style), and Maker's Mark (initials in a cartouche). The vertical alignment on the stem is typical of the 19th-century 'down-turned' marking style.
Construction Details
Hand-forged and die-struck. The drop on the back of the bowl is tapered, indicating traditional manufacturing where the handle and bowl are formed from a single ingot of silver.
Functional Features
Large oval-shaped bowls designed for serving vegetables, starchy sides, or center-of-table dishes. The elongated handles provide leverage for reaching into deep serving tureens.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handles in the 'down-turned' Old English style. The terminals are smooth with a slight taper toward the neck, designed for a comfortable palm-grip when serving.
Craftsmanship Details
Exceptional gauge (thickness) of silver. The 'drop' (where the stem joins the bowl) is crisp and well-defined, showing the skill of a master silversmith in managing the flow of the metal during the forging process.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are struck with depth and clarity consistent with genuine London assaying. The wear pattern is localized to the 'heel' of the bowl and the tips, which is characteristic of genuine antique use rather than artificial aging.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England. Manufactured in the specialized flatware workshops of the City of London, following centuries-old apprenticeship traditions overseen by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
Era & Period
Early Victorian (c. 1840-1860). This period is indicated by the specific hallmark cartouche shapes and the transition from the heavier Georgian styles to the refined industrial-standard silver of the mid-19th century.
Age Estimate
Circa 1850. The dating is based on the visible gothic date letter and the Queen Victoria duty mark (silhouetted head) visible on the far-left spoon.
Cultural Significance
A set of six table spoons was a standard wedding gift for middle-to-upper-class Victorian families, serving as a primary display of the household's 'family silver' and financial stability.
Condition Notes
Very Good condition. There is visible surface tarnish (sulfide oxidation) which appears as dark or rainbow-colored spots; this can be easily removed. Minor 'flea bites' and surface scratches consistent with 150+ years of use. No signs of 'thinning' at the tips of the bowls.
Value Estimate
$400 - $650 USD for the set of six. Value is determined primarily by the total silver weight plus a premium for the maker (Chawner/Adams) and the vintage/antique status.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash only with mild soap. Use a high-quality silver cream (e.g., Wright's) to remove tarnish. Avoid the 'dip' cleaners as they can strip the natural patina from the hallmarks. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth roll to prevent future oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Fiddle Pattern (has 'shoulders' near the bowl), King's Pattern (highly ornate shell decoration), or Georgian-era Hanoverian (up-turned ends).
Interesting Facts
The Old English pattern was the first to move the handle terminal 'downwards' (towards the table), whereas the earlier Hanoverian pattern turned 'upwards' to accommodate how silver was laid out on 18th-century tables.