Bruton & Plymouth Retailer Repurposed Sterling Silver Spoon Ring
Jewelry (Repurposed Silverware Spoon Ring) · The original spoon was retailed by Bruton of Plymouth (a prominent English jeweler). The hallmarks 'CB' indicate Charles Boyton & Son Ltd, a highly regarded London silversmithing firm founded in 1809, known for high-quality domestic silver.
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern (implied by the stem shape and era), common in British flatware. The specific collection is 'repurposed' or 'upcycled' contemporary jewelry.
Type
Jewelry (Repurposed Silverware Spoon Ring)
Maker
The original spoon was retailed by Bruton of Plymouth (a prominent English jeweler). The hallmarks 'CB' indicate Charles Boyton & Son Ltd, a highly regarded London silversmithing firm founded in 1809, known for high-quality domestic silver.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid silver construction, no base metal or plating.
Dimensions
Diameter: Adjustable but approximately 18-20mm (US Size 8-10). Width: Varies from 5mm at the tail to 15mm at the bowl overlap. Estimated weight: 8-12 grams.
Description
This unique piece of jewelry is a 'Spoon Ring' crafted from the handle of a genuine sterling silver spoon. It proudly displays the full hallmark suite and the retailer mark 'BRUTORD PLYMOUTH', turning the history of the silver into a design statement. The bypass construction gives it a sculptural, overlapping look that is both bold and historical.
Key Features
Prominent 'BRUTORD PLYMOUTH' retailer stamp, clear London hallmarks, and the characteristic bypass wrap design common in high-quality silverware jewelry.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid silver construction, no base metal or plating.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish on the exterior, showing natural oxidation in the recessed hallmarks. The decoration is purely functional-aesthetic, showcasing the original retailer and assay stamps as the central design motif. Style is 'Industrial Chic' or 'Vintage Repurposed'.
Hallmarks & Stamps
London Assay Office marks: 'CB' (Charles Boyton & Son maker's mark), 'BRUTORD PLYMOUTH' (Retailer stamp for Bruton of Plymouth), 's' (Date letter for 1933 or 1973 depending on shield shape, likely 1933 based on retailer history), and Leopard's Head (London).
Construction Details
Cold-forged and hand-bent. The original silver spoon stem was cut, the edges smoothed, and then wrapped around a ring mandrel. This is a manual, non-industrial jewelry process.
Functional Features
Wrap-around bypass design allows for minor size adjustment. The bowl of the spoon forms the wide decorative element, while the stem forms the band.
Handle & Grip Details
The 'handle' of the ring is the original spoon stem. It features a smooth, flat interior for comfort against the finger, with rounded 'rolled' edges to prevent skin irritation.
Craftsmanship Details
Hand-wrought bending. The maker has successfully avoided 'stress whitening' or cracking the silver during the tight radius bend, indicating a slow, annealed bending process.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are deep and authentic, showing the characteristic 'squeeze' seen in genuine London sterling. The wear patterns on the edges suggest genuine silver rather than plated base metal.
Origin & Manufacturing
Origin of silver: London, England. Origin of ring: Unknown artisan workshop. Traditionally made by bending flatware with nylon hammers to avoid marring the silver.
Era & Period
Modern Repurposed (c. 2000-present) using a George V or early mid-century (c. 1930s) British silver component.
Age Estimate
The spoon component dates to circa 1933. The conversion into a ring likely occurred within the last 10-20 years based on the popularity of the spoon ring trend.
Cultural Significance
Represents the modern movement of 'Upcycling' and sustainable fashion, where heirloom utility items are given new life as wearable art.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The silver shows minor surface 'pocket wear' and micro-scratches consistent with both its previous life as a spoon and its current use as a ring. No structural cracks from the bending process are visible.
Value Estimate
$65 - $125 USD. Value is driven by the clarity of the hallmarks, the prestige of the London 'CB' maker, and the unique retailer stamp rather than just the silver weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft silver cloth. Avoid chemical 'dips' which can strip the attractive dark patina inside the hallmarks, making the text harder to read. Store in a cool, dry place.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. spoon rings (often forged from 'English King' or 'Audubon' patterns) and Gorham 'Chantilly' spoon rings. Differences lie in the specific hallmarks and regional retailer marks.
Interesting Facts
Spoon rings first became popular in the 1960s and 70s as a form of 'hippie' jewelry, though legend says they originated in 17th-century England when servants would steal silver spoons from manor houses to craft wedding rings they couldn't otherwise afford.
Notes
Spoon