Victorian Fiddle Pattern Sterling Silver Teaspoon by Thomas Bradbury & Sons
Flatware - Teaspoon · Thomas Bradbury & Sons, a highly reputable and historic Sheffield-based silversmithing firm with roots dating back to the 18th century (specifically tracing back to Joseph Watson in 1732, and later operating as Thomas Bradbury & Sons from the mid-19th century onward in Sheffield, England).
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern, a classic and enduring traditional British flatware design featuring a distinct shoulder notch near the terminal end, widely popular throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries and still heavily collected today.
Type
Flatware - Teaspoon
Maker
Thomas Bradbury & Sons, a highly reputable and historic Sheffield-based silversmithing firm with roots dating back to the 18th century (specifically tracing back to Joseph Watson in 1732, and later operating as Thomas Bradbury & Sons from the mid-19th century onward in Sheffield, England).
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), standard British sterling composition governed by assay offices during the Victorian era.
Dimensions
Standard Victorian teaspoon size, measuring approximately 13.5 to 14 cm in length, with an estimated weight of around 15 to 22 grams per spoon.
Description
A classic set or individual example of a Victorian sterling silver teaspoon executed in the timeless Fiddle pattern. Crafted by the esteemed Sheffield firm Thomas Bradbury & Sons, these spoons display the heavy weight, clean lines, and crisp hallmark strikes characteristic of high-quality mid-to-late 19th-century British silver production. The simple, elegant profile makes them as functional today as they were over a century ago.
Key Features
Crisp 'TB&S' maker's mark in rectangular punches, classic Fiddle shoulder design, and authentic Sheffield Victorian assay office stamps.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), standard British sterling composition governed by assay offices during the Victorian era.
Finish & Decoration
Smooth mirror polish with a classic plain Fiddle terminal, exhibiting the quintessential understated elegance typical of utilitarian domestic Victorian flatware.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Clearly visible maker's mark 'TB&S' enclosed in individual punch rectangles, accompanied by standard British silver hallmarks including the sterling standard lion passant, the Sheffield assay office crown mark, and a date letter stamp.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a heavy gauge silver sheet, common for 19th-century commercial flatware production, ensuring high durability and structural rigidity.
Functional Features
Designed for stirring tea and measuring loose leaf tea or sugar during formal and informal Victorian tea services.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver Fiddle pattern handle with a flattened, widened terminal designed for comfortable grip and balance, featuring no non-silver inserts.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent commercial-grade Victorian craftsmanship featuring clean die-struck outlines, properly smoothed edges, and deeply struck, legible hallmarks.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic period punch marks showing proper depression into the metal, consistent typography of the maker's initials, and matching standard British assay symbols.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Sheffield, England, a world-renowned hub for cutlery and silver manufacturing utilizing traditional British silver smithing standards.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (1837-1901), characterized by heavy industrial manufacturing advances combined with traditional domestic silver forms.
Age Estimate
Mid-to-late Victorian period, approximately circa 1860-1890, deduced from the marker's punch style and assay characteristics.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian obsession with the formal afternoon tea ritual, symbolizing middle-to-upper-class domestic gentility and refined dining customs.
Condition Notes
Very good antique condition with minor surface scratches and normal wear consistent with age and gentle use; bowls retain good depth with no major thinning or edge biting.
Value Estimate
Estimated between $25 to $60 USD per spoon depending on the exact date letter, overall condition, and whether sold individually or as part of a matched set.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash gently with mild dish soap and warm water, dry immediately with a soft microfiber cloth, and polish occasionally with a reputable silver cream like Wright's to maintain luster without wearing down the hallmarks.
Similar Pieces
Other British 19th-century Fiddle or Fiddle, Thread & Shell pattern spoons by prominent makers like Chawner & Co. or William Eaton.
Interesting Facts
Thomas Bradbury & Sons registered several marks over generations and were known for exporting quality tableware across the British Empire and to the United States during the height of the Industrial Revolution.