Not a whole lot of luck this weekend. I found a few pieces of flatware. The only piece I am really excited about is another Egyptian revival demitasse spoon. The first Egyptian revival in the decorative arts lasted from about 1820-1850. A good forty years but silver pieces from this period are scarce enough, so finding pieces in the Egyptian revival style is a herculean (or should we say Osirisian) task.
There was a second form of Egyptian revival in the decorative arts in the 1920’s after the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen. From time to time since then there has been an incorporation of Egyptian motifs in silver and silver plate.This is one such case.
These are my two demitasse spoons in the Egyptian revival style. They are the Antique Egyptian or Scarab pattern patented in 1909. One is marked Everts and the other has no mark (which as we shall see is not too unusual) They have scarab beetles on the end of the handle. These were produced after the height of the first Egyptian revival. So what do we know about this pattern?
Hagan (1990) list them as Wm. A. Rogers and another company listed simply as Smith in the year 1909 and notes that they are not a full line. Meaning that only select pieces were made in this pattern. In this book they are called Antique Egyptian.
Bones and Fisher (1998) list them under E. H. H. Smith Silver Company in Bridgeport Connecticut. They claim that it was designed for the Café de L’Opera in New York. Further they claim that they were often given out as a premium by jewelry stores. An interesting note is that this line is also known as Scarab. While noted as not being a full line confirming Hagan (1990). Bones and Fisher note that there exist grape shears, nut cracks, butter picks, muddlers as well as dinner spoons, forks and knives. The line appears in their book as having the scarab and without. The end of the piece having a sun disc and papyrus scroll in some cases.
Davis and Deibel (1972) list Antique Egyptian under the E.H.H. Smith Silver Co. showing their marks as a (triangle) S (triangle) and xx S xx where the s is in a box. They have a reprint of an advertisement that confirms that the pattern was designed for the Café de L’Opera in New York. It also shows knives, butter knives, nut picks etc. However, all of the pieces shown have the scarab on the piece. Davis and Deibel list the pattern date as 1909 and mention that it can also be found backstamped as Wm. A. Rogers and Everts. Everts used the demitasse spoons as an advertising premium.
Similar pieces:
Rogers & Bros. had a pattern named Egyptian in 1879. Other hollowware makers incorporated various Egyptian themes into their work like sphinxes as finials and the like. I have also seen papyrus scrolls as a form of decoration.
A collector I know and admire greatly has a pair of sphinx candlesticks that I am quite jealous of. Next time I visit his collection I will ask for a picture.
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da-video@hotmail.com here i have 3 Egyptian Antique forks with scarab and not sure what the ones without look like but may have three without too
ReplyDeleteCool. The ones without have just a round head but contain the lines on the stem.
ReplyDeleteWanted to let you know I posted my spoon on ebay for bid, started low and may have missed some details that would attract attention. Let me know if you want better pics.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150551715147&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
I have what I would consider a sugar spoon size in this pattern. Backstamp "WM.A.ROGERS ONEIDA LTD." all by its lonely self in my grandmother's sideboard. I love it and think I will try to find a full set (or something of the sort) for my china. Love the story behind it being made for the cafe. Now wondering who in my family was in New York and for what reason- have no family story about that! Thanks for your blog- it helped my search SO MUCH!
ReplyDeleteWhat year was it made do you think ? I have the exact same spoon with the same lettering.
DeleteI have a set of spoons (soup size or perhaps serving spoons) which look exactly like your dimitasse spoons. Smith Silver Company on the back and George J. Fisher is also engraved in very small letters. I bought them in the seventies in Hartford Ct at a flea market. I and my daughter are very attached to them.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get forks or knives.My email is mademesne@yahoo.com if anyone has any for sale.
I am so glad that you are enjoying this pattern.
ReplyDeleteI probably have about 150 pieces in this pattern, forks, dinner knives, ladles, muddlers, serving pieces, spoons, etc., all Smith, none of the fifties repros. I've been collecting it for about 20 years, and it's taken me that long to gather it! But I do love it!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds like a great set of silverware. This pattern is so great.
ReplyDeleteThe line appears in their book as having the scarab and without. The end of the piece having a sun disc and papyrus scroll in some cases.
ReplyDeleteShaving Sets
I have a Egyptian spoon just like the one at the top of this page 11/09/2011I would like to know how much it is worth.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone get back to me asap. I have 4 dinner spoons of this pattern. The markings on the back are Cafe de L'Opera on all 4...on 2 of them the SMITH SILVER CO. What can I sell these for on Ebay?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
For appraisals I would suggest contacting this site:
ReplyDeletehttp://thenakedappraiser.com/
The line does have a scarab and non-scarab type.
the Cafe de L'Opera marked spoons are I think a bit more special.
I have an eight place setting of the Wm. A. Rogers Antique Egyptian (or Scarab) pattern with some pieces missing. I have 8 forks, 4 knives, 6 teaspoons, eight demitasse spoons, 8 soup spoons. One of the knives, 7 of the forks & 3 soup spoons have "B.TURKLE" stamped on the back of the handles. Five soup spoons & one fork have "XXOXX" (with the "O" having a dash inside it). Four demitasse spoons have no stamp and the pattern seems identical to the rest. The other four demitasse spoons have a stamp on the back "CAFE DE L'OPERA" on them with a pattern slightly different than the rest. All are well used; they are not that shiny, some more so than others. Can you tell me anything about this incredibly lovely design and the markings on this set in particular? I'm looking to sell them, possibly on eBay. Thank you
ReplyDeleteName is claudia I holding a spoon with the same xxoxx and its a small gold .I want to sell whom do I contact
DeleteI found a set of 12 of these demitasse spoons at an estate sale this weekend. Your blog was extremely helpful to me in determining what exactly I had found. 11 of mine are stamped EVERTS and 1 is blank.
ReplyDeleteI found a single dessert fork in this pattern at a fleamarket recently. Fell in love with it. Have never seen it before. Mine only has pattern on the front with Wm. A. Rogers on the back and of course, Oneida Ltd. I read that if the back of the utensil is without pattern then it is likely from the 1050s and if it has a design as well, then from around 1909. Mine cleaned up very nicely with baking soda, tinfoil and hot water. :)
ReplyDelete*1950s
DeleteMy parents had the scarab demitasse spoons (they are down to one now) and swear that they were a give away with Progresso instant espresso many years ago. The one I looked at is unmarked. Maybe a copy of the older ones? Has anyone else heard of this?
DeleteI inherited a silver plated tea service with an Egyptian motif, Pharaohs, sphinxes, obelisks, a large bird and the like. I don't see anything similar on line. I think they must rather unique. Derby is the maker. They are stamped with the number 1604 but I found several Derby sets on ebay with the same number but the sets were quite different from mine. I would appreciate any comments as I really don't know anything about antique things..
ReplyDeleteI have a complete set 60 piece all have the Smith Silver Co on the backs. They seem to be silver and the reason I say that is a took a magnet to them and it was not attract to them. Where is the best place to get these appraised?
ReplyDelete