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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silverplate Forum
 Reed & Barton Grecian teasets, circa 1860
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| Author | Topic: Reed & Barton Grecian teasets, circa 1860 |
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21Kimball Posts: 34 |
posted 04-18-2007 10:06 AM
  
[26-1386] As part of a broader interest in classical form and tradition in American hollowware 1825-1900 I am avidly collecting and researching Reed & Barton’s circa 1860 plated grape pattern tea sets, numbers 1950, etc. R&B has an immense photo archive of their 19th century hollowware patterns which has aided me greatly though they have no plans, i.e. means, to digitize the collection. Unfortunately too, the paper records that would accompany these were lost in the great Taunton flood of 1886. The numbering system of these sets appears sequential and a patent date of January, 1858 for pattern 1919 would place the 1950, etc. sets somewhere around 1859-60. I don’t have any records so far to indicate how long these sets were in production but from the number of them available I’d have to say that they enjoyed a widespread popularity. R&B evidently developed a theme and variation design for these sets that may not have too many parallels in silver design. The base pattern carries the number 1950. Some of the variants are stamped 1950 as well leading to a surmise that R&B didn’t develop a separate numbering system until sometime into production. Some of these pieces do not bear R&B markings. Rainwater supplies the handy explanation that R&B at this period had more business than they could handle and sold sets that they had designed and made but not yet plated and finished to others such as Meriden Britannia for completion and retail sale. Grape motifs appear in other hollowware of the period, either plated or solid silver. Stylistically, this use of natural motifs may ally these sets with rococo revival. However, the forms of the vessels themselves in these R&B sets draw from specific Greek precedents of amphora, ewer, and krater. Otto Jahn’s 1854 catalog Vasensammlung of the Pinakothek, Munich, on Greek pottery, likely exerted an enormous influence on mid century decorative arts. Until an actual style name surfaces in a period catalog or some other source I shall simply think of these sets as “Grecian.” By themselves, plated sets of about 1860 using classical forms prevalent in American solid silver hollowware for the previous 25-35 years hardly rate much mention. Grape motifs are found on much other hollowware also. Research would likely uncover many sets combining the two. So, although these R&B plated sets appear well designed and executed the question emerges: What makes them especially worthy of notice? The answer for me lies in how around 1860 unknown designer(s) for R&B developed a basic design for a tea set then explored a full repertoire of silver design and smithing techniques to create not just one but a full range of tea set patterns of which the following illustrations may not exhaust the possibilities. Basic pattern 1950, full set includes an urn and a second, smaller tea pot (variant 1950 ½ known) Variant 1950-f with allover diaper design Variant 1951 with allover textured effect Variant 1952 with hammered grape and leaves Variant 1953 ½ with fretwork and marguerites Variant 1954 with medallions (further medallion variations 1955 and 1956 known presently) IP: Logged |
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FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 04-18-2007 11:18 AM
Here's a piece, recently sold, that appears to be your Variant 1954. It has a presentation engraving of Christmas 1868, if that helps with dating, and has no marks. When sold, I had no idea that this is what it was; I sold it as just a very nice silverplated medallion pattern pitcher (which it certainly is!). The decoration, FWIW, appears to be largely flat-chased rather than engraved. IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4132 |
posted 04-18-2007 06:20 PM
I don't usually go in for this sort of thing, but I got this pot a number of years ago in a box lot (all I really wanted was the Brookhouse tongs mixed in with the junk). It is marked REED & BARTON and 1955 and except for the medallion on either side, there is no evidence it was ever plated. IP: Logged |
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21Kimball Posts: 34 |
posted 04-18-2007 07:21 PM
Thank you for confirming my suspicions as to the existence of a budget, i.e., un-plated line of these styles. I have seen pieces so far though with only slight traces of the plating remaining suggesting successive bouts of over-harsh cleaning. I suppose after 150 years one could end up removing most of the plating on a piece. Medallion pieces as a whole preclude engraving in a central cartouche, etc., and may not have remained popular for that reason. I wonder if these Greco-Roman relief medallions are somehow allied with the French Minerva marks. IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 04-18-2007 08:27 PM
Originally, Reed and Barton were pewter makers. They sold both 'metal' and 'silverplate'. The unplated one you show appears to be either very darkened pewter or some treatment of pewter. I have seen a few of these, and some where just a band or part of the decoration is this color. It never seems to have been very popular. It looks to be something like graniteware. IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1800 |
posted 04-18-2007 10:09 PM
I like wev's piece the best of everything shown here in this post. I like the brightness of the silver medallion against the dark pewter material. I'm assuming this was intentional. It's a similar dark and light contrast seen in Gorham's iron & silver wares of the 1880s. Those were poor sellers, too. IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 04-18-2007 11:04 PM
AIR, the basic shape here is called 'pyroform' or something like that. It was in use with slight variations for a long time. For all I know, it may still be produced. The grapes are another issue. Grapes were a popular feature of Sheffield silver. Much late Sheffield features them, into the 1840's and 1850'. The Reed and Barton grape tea set seems to have been made into the early 1870's. Then grapes dropped off until around 1900. Then there appeared grape silver from two sources: Art Nouveau and revival of Sheffield designs. This grape silver continues to be made. IP: Logged |
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FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 04-19-2007 09:35 AM
quote: The piece I show above has the medallion only on the side shown; the other has the same flat-chased pattern, but around a field for an engraved inscription. This particular one also has a later inscription beneath the spout, the cartouche having been filled previously. IP: Logged |
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21Kimball Posts: 34 |
posted 04-19-2007 11:53 AM
This raises an interesting question about what the designers intend as the obverse, or presentation side, of an asymmetrical hollowware vessel, i.e., a teapot, where the sides are treated differently, handle left or handle right? My gut instinct is that handle left rules because most right handed people would pour from their left hand into a cup held in their right (could be quite wrong). I've seen this R&B with medallions on one or both sides. In your example, either a set is displayed, as on a sideboard, with either the medallion or the engraved side showing. In either case the decoration on the "other" side is rather wasted. IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4132 |
posted 04-19-2007 12:19 PM
It is more likely handle right. You always poured to a cup on the table, not in hand. IP: Logged |
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21Kimball Posts: 34 |
posted 04-19-2007 05:29 PM
My 1954 is handle right; the 1951 handle left. To carry the this tangent one step further to finish it up: Engraving teasets which don't have a distinct obverse/reverse hierachy seems to be totally a matter of preference. I've seen handle right, handle left, and quite often with sets with both a tea and a coffee; done so that they would face each other with spouts in, handles out. The rule may be no rule, then. It simply becomes one more detail to observe, and enjoy. IP: Logged |
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21Kimball Posts: 34 |
posted 04-24-2007 11:03 AM
Originally posted by Dale: quote: It seems that hollowware, i.e. tea sets, may be defined or classed by shape/form as well as style. I wonder if it would be worth it to start a separate thread with examples of the various baluster, helmet, urn, etc. ones with dates of introduction or popularity?
quote: Grapes seem to have been very popular all through dec arts at this period and have found a Coalport China pattern of 1830 with them. Then there's the well-known Belter furniture of the 1850s. The Sheffield grape pattern silver must account for the R&B plated pattern of that name with a grape motif of 1910. Have a few pieces of that last too.
quote: Haven't seen it stated yet, but R&B as a maker of high-end plated ware must have been caught short when the Nevada strikes lowered the price of silver in the 1870s. They could have lost a lot of their market. Didn't know it til I saw it here that R&B didn't start making sterling til 1889. IP: Logged |
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taloncrest Posts: 169 |
posted 05-11-2007 04:49 PM
I just purchased a teapot in the the 1950 basic form at a local antique shop. It had been there for a few months, but I had not paid it close attention before. The last time I browsed the sale tables I noticed the 1950 model number, which of course struck a chord due to this thread, but I hadn't had a chance to go back to get it until today. Mine has the mark of Rogers, Smith & Co., New Haven, Conn., still with the 1950 model number and a 5 below it. IP: Logged |
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21Kimball Posts: 34 |
posted 06-19-2007 06:14 PM
quote: Rainwater lists a number of firms to whom R&B sold their un-plated items for plating and retail sale. I think it's safe to assume that the 1950, etc. numbers on these sets of this design signify R&B origin whether any actual mark of R&B appears or not. IP: Logged |
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JenC Posts: 6 |
posted 10-27-2007 04:24 PM
Hi, Just ran across this discussion and thought you might like to see the teapot I have... another variation of the Grecian pattern. I also have some really old, big heavy record books (of some sort) from the Reed & Barton factory. Here's the teapot! IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 10-27-2007 05:02 PM
Could you tell us more about the books? IP: Logged |
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JenC Posts: 6 |
posted 10-28-2007 12:51 PM
I'll dig out those books, I have them packed away somewhere in my storage room. IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 10-28-2007 02:59 PM
We are always interested in silver memoribilia. Thanks, look forward to seeing them. IP: Logged |
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dial a ride Posts: 5 |
posted 01-07-2008 09:49 PM
Hello, I have what looks like a coffee urn or tea pot.It is 18 inches high and has a pouring device.It is marked on bottom Reed & Barton and above that 1951 below reed & Barton the number 12. It is very ornate with grapes etc. Can you help me identify this I can send a photo if you like. Thanks IP: Logged |
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dial a ride Posts: 5 |
posted 01-08-2008 05:13 PM
I have one of this silver plated urns 18 inches high with grapes etc.It is marked 1951 also Reed & Barton and the number 12.Any info on this. Thank You Charlie IP: Logged |
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dial a ride Posts: 5 |
posted 01-08-2008 05:14 PM
I have one of these marked urns. Thanks IP: Logged |
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21Kimball Posts: 34 |
posted 01-08-2008 06:15 PM
quote: Hi Charlie, it certainly sounds as if you have one of the R&B variants discussed in this thread. Does your 1951 look like the one I have listed above? Or does it look different? Can you go through the instructions to post a picture of yours here? The number "12" probably refers to the capacity in cups. [This message has been edited by Mod assistant (edited 03-04-2024).] IP: Logged |
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dial a ride Posts: 5 |
posted 01-10-2008 05:13 PM
I have one of these tea or coffee urns marked 1951.It looks like one in your photos.I sent emails but you probably did not receive them. [snip].Thank You Charlie IP: Logged |
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dial a ride Posts: 5 |
posted 01-10-2008 05:20 PM
I now see you have received my messages.I am not sure how to send the photo. If you want to email me I will reply with photos. Thanks Again Charlie quote: quote: [This message has been edited by Mod assistant (edited 03-04-2024).] IP: Logged |
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meade Posts: 1 |
posted 01-29-2008 05:34 PM
Hi All, I'm new here and I recently acquired a Reed & Barton tea set that is similar but has a different pattern no. Mine is 1790 and after spending a lot of time searching on the internet, I have found very little information on this pattern. I would like to find an approximate date for the patter and a name, if there was one. I'm posting a photo. I also have a matching waste bowl which is not in the picture. Thanks, Meade IP: Logged |
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