Spoonman

Item Overview

This is a highly ornate, antique sterling silver ladle or serving spoon with an elaborate repoussé floral motif on both the bowl and handle. It is marked on the reverse:

"Sterling 225/1000 Patent"

The decoration includes intricate chrysanthemum or dahlia-style floral scrollwork, suggesting late Victorian or early Edwardian aesthetic tastes. The spoon is in excellent condition, with natural patina enhancing its depth and detail.

Maker & Mark Explanation

The marking “Sterling 225/1000 Patent” is unusual. Standard American sterling is marked "925" (92.5% silver). A "225/1000" mark is likely a pattern number or inventory code, not a purity mark. However, the presence of the word “Sterling” confirms it meets the sterling silver standard.

This ornate style and marking type is most commonly associated with late 19th to early 20th century American silversmiths, such as:

• Kirk & Son (known for repoussé floral work)
• Dominick & Haff
• Whiting Manufacturing Co.

Given the style and craftsmanship, it is possible this spoon was produced by one of these firms or a lesser-known maker in the 1890–1915 period.

Use & Style

• Function: Likely a berry spoon, punch ladle, or cream ladle, often part of a larger flatware or serving set.
• Style: Victorian–Art Nouveau, with deep repoussé detailing, indicating it was intended as a display or fine entertaining piece.

Condition

• Condition: Excellent
• Surface: Shows age-appropriate tarnish, which can be cleaned but is often preferred by collectors in its original patina.

Estimated Value

Value depends on maker identification, rarity, and condition. Based on comparable items:

Description

Estimate

Retail/Replacement

$125 – $250

Collector/Private Sale

$90 – $175

Scrap Silver (if weighed, not advised)

Based on weight at ~$1.10–1.30/g

Recommendations

• Professional Appraisal: Worth considering if provenance or maker can be confirmed. A certified appraiser can test purity, authenticate age, and potentially trace the pattern to a specific silversmith.
• Preservation Tip: Store in anti-tarnish cloth or bag and avoid polishing with abrasives, which could reduce detail.

I believe this serving spoon pattern is "Chrysanthemum" by Durgin. Without the dimensions, it's hard to know what type of serving spoon it may be. Bon bon? Oyster or cream ladle? 

With the “Sterling 925/1000 Patent” marking and the ornate repoussé floral design, this strongly suggests the spoon is either:

1. Kirk Repoussé Pattern (by S. Kirk & Son, Baltimore)

• Introduced: Circa 1828 (and variations continued well into the early 1900s)
• Key Traits:
  • Deep repoussé floral and foliage covering nearly the entire handle
  • Often hand-chased (slight variations in the pattern)
  • No company name—just “Sterling 925/1000” and sometimes a pattern number or patent notice

This pattern was immensely popular and widely copied, but authentic pieces from S. Kirk & Son typically bear this marking style.

2. Other Makers in Similar Style

If it’s not Kirk, it could be a pattern by:

• Whiting Manufacturing Co.
• Gorham (early patterns like “Old Medici” or “Marie Antoinette”)
• Durgin or Dominick & Haff, both known for ornate floral silver

But the most likely match is Kirk's Repoussé pattern.

Next Steps for Exact Pattern ID

To confirm:

• Take a clear, high-res photo of the entire front and back of the handle (especially the tip) and upload the photo here.
• You can also compare it to the Kirk Repoussé examples here:
  https://www.sterlingflatwarefashions.com/Patterns/Kirk.html