H. & T. Mfg. Co. Silver Plated Spoon
Flatware - Spoon · H. & T. Mfg. Co. (Holmes & Tuttle Manufacturing Co.), a known American manufacturer operating during the 19th century in Connecticut, recognized for producing various metal goods including silver-plated items.
Pattern: Standard utility or plain dining pattern, specific proprietary pattern name not identified.
Type
Flatware - Spoon
Maker
H. & T. Mfg. Co. (Holmes & Tuttle Manufacturing Co.), a known American manufacturer operating during the 19th century in Connecticut, recognized for producing various metal goods including silver-plated items.
Material
Silver Plated over a base metal, typically nickel silver or white metal alloy common for 19th-century electroplated flatware.
Dimensions
Standard spoon dimensions, estimated length approximately 15 to 18 cm, weight appropriate for standard plated flatware.
Description
A well-preserved antique silver-plated spoon featuring the distinct manufacturer's mark of the Holmes & Tuttle Manufacturing Co. The piece displays the robust construction and utilitarian elegance characteristic of mid-19th-century American base-metal plating enterprises before major industry consolidation.
Key Features
Clear 'H. & T. MFG. CO.' manufacturer punch mark on the reverse handle, classic 19th-century spoon silhouette.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated over a base metal, typically nickel silver or white metal alloy common for 19th-century electroplated flatware.
Finish & Decoration
Smooth polished finish with minimal or utilitarian decoration, consistent with standard mid-to-late 19th-century flatware production.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The reverse of the handle bears the clear manufacturer stamp 'H. & T. MFG. CO.' representing the Holmes & Tuttle Manufacturing Co.
Construction Details
Die-struck or machine-rolled handle with bowl shape formed via press machinery and subsequently electroplated.
Functional Features
Standard utility spoon intended for table use.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid base metal handle with silver plating, featuring an ergonomic flattened grip typical of period spoons.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial manufacture of the Victorian era, utilizing mechanical press forming and electroplating rather than hand-wrought silversmithing.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic period punch stamp style with serif lettering characteristic of 19th-century American industrial stamping techniques.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, likely Connecticut, manufactured during the height of the American silver-plate industry expansion.
Era & Period
Victorian Era (1837-1901), based on the company's operational timeline and stamp style.
Age Estimate
Circa 1850-1880, corresponding to the active period of the Holmes & Tuttle Manufacturing Co.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the 19th-century democratization of tableware through the widespread adoption of electroplating, making metal dining implements accessible to a broader socioeconomic class.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition with minor surface scratches and slight wear to the silver plating consistent with age and gentle use; structure remains sound.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $15 and $45 depending on collector demand for obscure 19th-century American makers.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive silver dips to preserve the remaining electroplated layer.
Similar Pieces
Standard electroplated spoons from contemporary American makers such as Rogers, Holmes & Edwards, and Meriden Britannia Co.
Interesting Facts
Holmes & Tuttle originally started as manufacturers of brass goods and buttons before expanding into various stamped metal items and silver plating during the mid-19th century.
Notes
Spoon