Unidentified Antique Silver Plated Teaspoon with Scroll Handle
Flatware - Spoon (Teaspoon) · Unknown Manufacturer, bearing the mark 'P.O.R.'
Pattern: Unidentified decorative scroll pattern
Type
Flatware - Spoon (Teaspoon)
Maker
Unknown Manufacturer, bearing the mark 'P.O.R.'
Material
Silver Plated Base Metal (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver)
Dimensions
Standard teaspoon dimensions, estimated length approximately 14-15 cm (5.5 inches), weight estimated under 30 grams due to silver-plated construction.
Description
An antique silver-plated teaspoon featuring an elegantly shaped handle with distinctive scalloped shoulders near the bowl junction. The reverse of the stem bears a crisp maker's stamp enclosed within rectangular and circular borders reading 'P.O.R.'. The piece displays moderate tarnish and patina consistent with age and use.
Key Features
Distinctive 'P.O.R.' maker's mark enclosed in geometric punches; scalloped shoulder detailing on the handle stem.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated Base Metal (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver)
Finish & Decoration
Standard polished finish with cast decorative shoulders and handle edges, indicative of late 19th or early 20th-century commercial silverware production.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The handle shows a punched maker's stamp reading 'P.O.R.' enclosed in distinct square and circular cartouches. This does not correspond to standard British, French, or major American sterling hallmarks, suggesting a regional maker, colonial manufacturer, or silverplate mark.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured, likely die-struck or cast bowl and handle assembly, standard for commercial flatware of the late Victorian to Edwardian era.
Functional Features
Standard single-bowl teaspoon designed for stirring tea or coffee and measuring sugar.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver-plated handle with distinctive scalloped or undulating shoulders leading into the stem, providing a comfortable grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Good commercial-grade manufacturing with clean stamping and symmetrical shaping, though executed via industrial methods rather than hand-wrought silversmithing.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of a stamped 'P.O.R.' mark rather than a standard .925 sterling or traditional hallmarking system indicates this is a plated or regional commercial piece rather than fine solid sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
Country of origin uncertain due to ambiguous 'P.O.R.' mark, potentially British, American, or European export.
Era & Period
Likely late Victorian to Edwardian Era (c. 1880-1910) based on style and stamp format.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1920
Cultural Significance
Reflects the mass production and democratization of tea service accessories during the height of the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Condition Notes
Moderate tarnish (sulfide buildup), surface micro-scratches from use and polishing, but overall structurally sound with no visible base metal bleed-through.
Value Estimate
Low market value, typically ranging from $5 to $15 depending on local demand and completeness of a set.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a mild silver cream or specialized polishing cloth to preserve the plating. Store in an anti-tarnish cloth or bag.
Similar Pieces
Common silver-plated teaspoons from major makers like Oneida, International Silver, or various unmarked Sheffield plate manufacturers.
Interesting Facts
Many late 19th-century manufacturers used three-letter abbreviation stamps or proprietary initials to mark silver-plated wares distributed through specific hardware or department store catalogs.