Period: Late Victorian
Maker: David Andersen
Importer & retailer: Elkington & Co.
This beautiful set of twelve enamelled spoons in a stylish fitted box was made by David Andersen of Norway, imported to England in 1896 and retailed by Elkington Co.
The backs of the bowls, as well as both sides of the handle, are decorated with ruby-red guilloché enamel inlaid with classical scrollwork. The cloisonné inlays are infilled with gold paste. The borders are of the backs of the bowls are beaded to resemble a chain of pearls. The edges of the stems and handles are further inlaid with white enamel. The insides of the bowls are washed with gold.
The spoons are impressed with two sets of silver marks. On the bottom of the shoulder is 925 (signifying the 92.5% purity of the silver) followed by the David Andersen mark used between 1888 and 1925. On one side of the stem are UK hallmarks: the lion mark of the English silver standard, the anchor of the Birmingham assay office, the date letter for 1896, and an ‘F’ signifying foreign origin.
The spoons may have been designed by Gustav Gaudernack, Norway’s leading goldsmith, although this is not confirmed. Gaudernack was employed to make designs and models for David Andersen between 1892 and 1910.
The smart red leather box opens in the middle to showcase the spoons. The satin linings on either side of the raised lid are printed in gold with the royal warrant: a crown, VR (for Victoria Regina), By Appointment and Elkington & Co.
Elkington were a highly successful firm of silversmiths based in Birmingham. Best known for silver plating, Elkington also imported silver, and had a large showroom in London’s Regent Street.
Condition Age-related flaking to the red enamel in a few places. Otherwise, the spoons are in very good condition. The case has some scuffing and creasing to the red enamel (see photos) and a couple of spots of staining on the satin lining of the lid.
Spoons length 9.7 cm
Case 17.9 cm x 16 cm x 2.8 cm
Weight 333 g (case and spoons), each spoon 9.5 g
Medium of spoons: Gold-plated silver with applied coloured enamels
Origin: Christiania (Oslo), Norway
See Gustav Gaudernack and David Andersen in Makers & Artists for background.
