R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Co. Sterling Silver Hollowware Vessel (Model 551)
Hollowware - Small Container, Bowl, or Sugar/Creamer Component · R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Co. (Wallace Silversmiths), a prominent American silver manufacturer founded in Wallingford, Connecticut, in 1835 by Robert Wallace, known for high-quality craftsmanship and enduring popularity.
Pattern: Wallace Model 551, part of an undetermined hollowware or tea service line, featuring an unornamented or lightly lobed body style typical of mid-20th-century production.
Type
Hollowware - Small Container, Bowl, or Sugar/Creamer Component
Maker
R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Co. (Wallace Silversmiths), a prominent American silver manufacturer founded in Wallingford, Connecticut, in 1835 by Robert Wallace, known for high-quality craftsmanship and enduring popularity.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), standard American composition containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper for structural durability.
Dimensions
Estimated small-scale hollowware piece with a base diameter of approximately 1.5 to 2 inches; overall height and exact weight cannot be fully determined from the base view alone but suggest a lightweight individual serving piece.
Description
A charming and compact sterling silver hollowware component by the renowned R. Wallace & Sons company. The underside clearly displays the manufacturer's diamond hallmark containing 'RW&S' and 'B', alongside the purity designation 'STERLING' and pattern/model number '551'. The base shows considerable honest wear with characteristic surface scratching from decades of gentle use and polishing, adding authentic vintage character to the piece.
Key Features
Clear R. Wallace & Sons diamond maker's mark ('RW&S' with 'B'), crisp 'STERLING' stamp, and distinct model number '551' providing definitive attribution.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), standard American composition containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper for structural durability.
Finish & Decoration
Polished smooth exterior finish with visible surface scuffs and scratches from use and cleaning, featuring subtle lobed or paneled indentations around the lower body.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped with the word 'STERLING', the model number '551', and the hallmark logo of R. Wallace & Sons consisting of a diamond shape containing the initials 'RW&S' over a letter 'B'.
Construction Details
Machine-assisted manufacture featuring a formed or spun body with a flattened base, typical of mid-century American commercial silver production.
Functional Features
Stable flat circular base designed to rest securely on dining surfaces; likely functions as a small sugar bowl, creamer base, or individual condiment vessel from a larger set.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable to the base view provided, though the main body exhibits soft, rounded contours intended for easy handling if lifted directly.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial American silversmithing quality featuring neat base integration, uniform metal thickness, and clearly struck identification stamps.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmark is cleanly stamped into the silver rather than laser-etched, showing proper depression depth and typical letter spacing for mid-20th-century Wallace production.
Origin & Manufacturing
Made in Wallingford, Connecticut, United States, by skilled American silversmiths utilizing industrial manufacturing advancements combined with traditional finishing.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1930s-1950s), indicated by the specific Wallace hallmark style and block numbering format common during this era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1930s to 1950s, based on the standardized style of the maker's mark and the 'STERLING 551' stamp configuration.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the mid-20th-century American middle- and upper-class domestic tradition of utilizing matching sterling silver hollowware for formal dining and tea service traditions.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. The base shows extensive fine surface scratching and hairline scuffs consistent with age and routine polishing, but no major dents, structural splits, or deep gouges are evident from this angle.
Value Estimate
Moderate collectible value determined primarily by the melt weight of the sterling silver plus a modest premium for the recognized Wallace maker, typically ranging from $30 to $100 depending on the complete form.
Care & Maintenance
Clean periodically with a reputable liquid or cream silver polish (such as Wright's or Hagerty) using a soft cloth. Store in a tarnish-resistant bag or cloth wrap when not on display.
Similar Pieces
Similar small hollowware pieces and cream/sugar sets produced by contemporary American makers such as Gorham, International Silver, and Reed & Barton.
Interesting Facts
Wallace Silversmiths became famous for acquiring historic American silver companies and producing some of the country's most iconic flatware patterns, such as 'Grand Baroque'.