Victorian Spoon-Handled Sterling Silver Salt or Mustard Spoon
Flatware - Small condiment spoon (Salt or Mustard) · S. Blanckensee & Son Ltd. This firm was established in Bristol (1826) and moved to Birmingham, growing into a significant manufacturer of high-quality silver and jewelry during the Victorian era.
Pattern: Fiddle Pattern. This is a classic, minimalist pattern featuring a handle that widens toward the end like a violin body. Introduced in the late 18th century, it remained the standard for 19th-century British flatware.
Type
Flatware - Small condiment spoon (Salt or Mustard)
Maker
S. Blanckensee & Son Ltd. This firm was established in Bristol (1826) and moved to Birmingham, growing into a significant manufacturer of high-quality silver and jewelry during the Victorian era.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The gold hue suggests the piece has a Vermeil (gold-washed) finish, which was commonly applied to salt spoons to prevent the corrosive salt from pitting the silver.
Dimensions
Estimated length: 3.5 to 4 inches (9-10 cm). Estimated weight: 8 to 12 grams. This is typical for an individual salt or mustard serving piece.
Description
A charming example of late Victorian utilitarian silver, this individual condiment spoon features the enduring Fiddle pattern. Its gold-washed finish provides a striking contrast and historical protection against corrosion. The hallmarks are exceptionally crisp, making it an excellent piece for a student of British silver marks.
Key Features
Crisp, well-aligned hallmarks; distinctive 'SB & S' manufacturer stamp; Vermeil finish on sterling base; quintessential Victorian Fiddle shoulders.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The gold hue suggests the piece has a Vermeil (gold-washed) finish, which was commonly applied to salt spoons to prevent the corrosive salt from pitting the silver.
Finish & Decoration
High polish with Vermeil wash. The decoration is minimal, adhering to the Fiddle pattern style with a squared-off shoulder and a spatulate terminal. There is a visible patina and surface abrasion from age.
Hallmarks & Stamps
A full set of British hallmarks including: 'SB & S' (Maker's mark for S. Blanckensee & Son), Anchor (Birmingham Assay Office), Lion Passant (British Sterling Silver standard), and the date letter 'u' (corresponding to 1894-1895).
Construction Details
Die-struck from a single sheet of sterling silver. The sharp, deep hallmarks suggest the spoon was struck with significant force, and the edges show signs of hand-finishing and smoothing typical of late 19th-century production.
Functional Features
Features a deep, rounded bowl (partially visible) designed for scooping crystalline salt from a cellar or mustard from a pot. The gold wash serves functional protection against acidic or salty foods.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle in the Fiddle style. The handle is flat and tapers toward the neck, providing a sturdy grip for a very small utensil. The tip is slightly upturned as per the period style.
Craftsmanship Details
Despite being part of a mass-produced pattern, the hallmark striking is of high quality. The symmetry of the Fiddle shoulders indicates precise die-work and quality control in the Birmingham workshop.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are perfectly consistent with the Birmingham table for 1894. The font of the date letter and the shape of the shields surrounding the marks match official assay records perfectly.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England. Produced in the 'Jewellery Quarter', which was the heart of the British silver manufacturing industry during the industrial revolution.
Era & Period
Late Victorian (1837-1901), specifically 1894. The piece reflects the utilitarian yet elegant aesthetic of the late 19th century where even minor table salts were rigorously hallmarked and finished.
Age Estimate
Dated exactly to 1894 based on the Birmingham 'u' date letter and the specific Maker's Mark registered by Blanckensee during that period.
Cultural Significance
Salt was once a precious commodity, and the 'open salt' with its accompanying silver spoon was a staple of the formal Victorian dining table, signifying the host's wealth and attention to etiquette.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. There are visible surface scratches and minor pitting/dark spots where the silver has oxidized. The gold wash shows slight thinning at the high points, common for 130-year-old flatware.
Value Estimate
$30 - $65 USD. Value is driven primarily by the maker's reputation and the clarity of the hallmarks rather than silver weight.
Care & Maintenance
Wash by hand in warm soapy water. Use a specialized silver foam once a year. Avoid harsh silver 'dips' which can strip the thin gold vermeil plating. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth roll.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with Caddy spoons (which are larger and have shovel-like bowls) or Egg spoons. Competitors of the time included Elkington & Co. and Atkin Brothers, who produced nearly identical Fiddle pattern staples.
Interesting Facts
The Birmingham Assay Office, where this was marked, is the busiest assay office in the world and was founded after a petition by Matthew Boulton to Parliament in 1773.