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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Silver before sterling
 Moulton spoons
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| Author | Topic: Moulton spoons |
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doc Posts: 728 |
posted 12-01-2003 02:34 PM
  
I purchased a pair of large serving spoons with a mark for William Moulton IV. The spoons are extremely heavy, and it makes me think they are sterling, rather than coin, but I have not seen any work by Moulton in anything other than coin. Can anyone shed light on this? I can send a photo later, if helpful. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 12-01-2003 03:22 PM
I think the weight of the piece is more a reflection of the amount of metal used, rather than the composition -- there is only 2.5% less silver in coin than sterling, and then you have to add back the weight of the small amounts of additional copper and other metals in the alloy, so there is probably not enough of a differnce to detect by handling two pieces of equal size and thickness. You may be influenced by an observation that so many later Moulton spoons are so light in weight, but they are also light in construction to the point of being flimsy - probably a cost-saving practice in a heavily competitive environment. A wealthy client could afford - and demand - more substantial construction. I do not mean this to sound critical of the question, but I have a kind of heretical view of silver content in American silver: since so much Early American silver prior to the formal adoption of the coin and sterling standards was made from remelted silver of varied standards, there was no "refining control" applied, and silver content of objects varied widely; I feel that, for reasons other than academic curiosity, there is really nothing to be gained by trying to "reassay" a peice so long after it was made. That said, there is always spectroscopy, but is it worth the expense? It is said that sterling has a whiter color, and that coin silver has a bluish cast, but this also depends on how much pure silver has been deposited on the surface in the "pickling" process. It would be necessary to file a groove to get below the surface for chenmical testing, and this only mars the piece -- so is it worth it? I think not. Why not just admire the workmanship and enjoy the piece for what it represents - the hand-made product of a skilled workman of time past? [This message has been edited by swarter (edited 12-01-2003).] IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 12-01-2003 05:58 PM
The silver quality in a early American spoon is mostly a superfluous since we are talking about less than a few dollars difference. I have never considered the intrinsic metal value as a method of deciding worth. Fred IP: Logged |
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doc Posts: 728 |
posted 12-02-2003 08:12 AM
Thank you both for your responses. I was not interested in the relative value-swarter is correct, I was influenced by the fact that other Moulton pieces I have seen have been much thinner and more delicate, and these are actually the heaviest pieces I have owned or seen. I plan on enjoying them greatly! IP: Logged |
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vathek Posts: 966 |
posted 12-02-2003 08:53 AM
The gauge of the silver could be dependent on the wealth of the patron who wanted more substantial pieces. I've seen Bateman teapots that were paper thin, and others quite heavy. Depends I guess on how much the purchaser wanted to spend and the quality they wanted. IP: Logged |
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labarbedor Posts: 353 |
posted 12-04-2003 12:06 AM
I was thinking some time ago when preparing a lecture about silver, in general, to be delivered to a group of ladies. Almost any statement about silver one can make has an exception. While I would rarely disagree with any opinion expressed by the members who have weighed in above, there are always exceptions. I will look up an interesting comparison I once read concerning the difference in American and British silver, but right now I would like to mention some silver I pieces I have or have seen. One was a spoon by a early 19th century Phila. silversmith. It is such a low grade of silver it is actually rather yellow. At first I thought it was a case of a cheating silversmith selling a low grade of silver on the sly. But then some years later I ran into a tea set c. 1800 that belonged to one of Washington's generals. It also was of noticeably lower grade silver. While I could only test the surface with acid and take a guess, I think both would test well below .700 fine silver. The answer would probably not lie in a cheating silversmith, but a cheap buyer. I doubt anyone would cheat a general, by selling a noticeably lower grade silver. However if a client brings in a certain amount of silver (insuficient for the purpose)to make a tea set of a certain weight, what else could a silversmith do but make something of a lower grade silver. After all everyone doesn't care about whether silver is .800 .900 .925 or .950 (that Roadshow appraiser Boos comes to mind). But seriously, one of the most expensive (and finest in the sense of history and art) pieces of silver I have is of lower grade (French second standard) silver. IP: Logged |
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