Lot 517: A Victorian Cased Set of Sterling Silver Teaspoons and Sugar Tongs Birmingham 1878 Weight: 89.67g.
A set of six solid sterling silver teaspoons and a pair of matching sugar tongs. Each piece is worked in the Old English pattern with plain, pointed terminals. The reverse of the spoon stems (photo 2) bears a suite of four impressed marks in rectangular shields with clipped corners. These comprise the maker’s mark J&S.S for Josiah Williams & Co (George Maudsley Jackson & David Landsborough Chase), a walking lion passant standard mark for sterling silver, and a lowercase Gothic letter r date letter. The set is housed in a contemporary fan-shaped presentation case, the exterior finished in a black textured covering and the interior lined with a white silk lid panel and a black velvet fitted base. The interior silk is printed with a maker’s or retailer’s name in a script, though only the characters & Son are clearly legible.
Weight: 89.67g.
Condition report:
The silver is in good condition with no visible bends or splits to the stems or bowls (photo 1). There is a consistent layer of dark tarnish and surface patina across all pieces, particularly evident on the interior of the spoon bowls (photo 2). Light surface scratches from historical use are visible throughout. The presentation case shows external wear and scuffing to the edges and corners. The interior silk lining shows areas of yellowing and foxing consistent with age (photo 1). The hinge and clasp of the case remain functional.
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