WANT YOUR CHILD TO BE BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS OR HER MOUTH?  HERE’S YOUR CHANCE!

 

Up for auction is a vintage pair of eating utensils made for a young child, a spoon and a fork.  These are from the “Tudor Plate” line made by the Oneida Community.  This set consists of a spoon and fork each about 4-1/2” long made for small hands.  I’m pretty certain they are made of silver, although there is no mark indicating “Sterling silver,” so I presume they are not Sterling.  I date these to being close to 1900 (see below).  The pattern is, I believe, known as “White Orchid,” although a quick internet search turns up lots of White Orchid pieces from the early ‘50s that is very similar in shape and flower pattern, but if this is White Orchid, it’s a much earlier version.

 

These were a part of my wife’s family estate.  They were stored for many years in Gran’s attic and then by us for 50 years.  Gran was born in the early 1990s.  We believe they were probably used by relatives, probably brought out for Sunday dinner or some such.  The family had a great deal of silver plate flatware, more of which I’ll be listing.  (We tend to like utensils that can be put in the dishwasher.) 

 

I, like a lot of other folks, it seems, was confused by the mark “Oneida Community,” which sounded like a Native American tribe.  Turns out to be an interesting story.  Oneida was “founded” by one John Humphrey Noyes who was born in Vermont in 1811.  He got caught up in the 2^nd Great Awakening and went to Yale Divinity School.  His theology was a little contrary, however, since he believed in “perfectionism,” that a person could become perfect physically and spiritually.  He left Yale and started a group called the ”Society of Inquiry,” which later became known as the “Community.”  One of their tenants was NOT to believe in marriage, although they had their own rules and it wasn’t a Hippie commune!

 

In around 1848 Noyes and his followers moved to Oneida, NY, where tried growing fruit, unsuccessfully.  Some accounts have a neighbor who made silverware and in 1877 they decided to try their hand at tableware.  They reportedly began making somewhat humble flatware in around 1881.  However, to better compete with other makers who made fancier items, they upgraded their line which was exhibited at the 1901 Buffalo World’s Fair.  They introduced their Community Plate line in 1902. 

 

I think this fork and spoon date from close to this transition point, but I’m certainly no expert on this subject. 

 

THE PICTURES ARE OF THE ACTUAL SET YOU WILL RECEIVE. 

 

PLEASE SEE THE OTHER SILVER FLATWARE I CURRENTLY HAVE LISTED.

 

I’ve been conservative and accurate in my detailed descriptions of the item’s exact condition, including pictures, so you should know what you’re getting.  If you find that I’ve missed something, please contact me.  EBay has tools to help us work out a solution.  Feel free to ask questions in advance.

 

I am not an antiques or commercial dealer, just a person with too many interests who doesn’t like to get rid of things.  Everything I’m selling is “stuff” I’ve accumulated over the years, not something “picked” for resale on eBay.  It’s just time to start letting go…and make my wife happy.   Consider this my contribution to “recycling.”  Please see my other auction items.  Thank you and happy bidding!