James & Josiah Williams | Fiddle Pattern | Sterling Silver Salt Spoon | Exeter 1859

A small thing made with the same care as a large one — which is, in the end, the most reliable measure of a silversmith.

James & Josiah Williams were among the most significant provincial silversmiths working in England during the mid-nineteenth century. Based in the West Country and closely associated with the Exeter Assay Office, the firm played a central role in sustaining regional silver production during a period increasingly dominated by London and Birmingham. Their work represents one of the final flourishing phases of Exeter silver, before the assay office’s closure in 1883 brought that long tradition to an end.

The spoon is made in the Fiddle pattern, a form that came to dominate British flatware from the Regency period onwards and remained in continuous use throughout the Victorian era. The handle terminates in the characteristic squared spatula end, engraved with a script monogram. The stem tapers into a defined shoulder before meeting the bowl, which is rounded and set at a slight angle, with a small pouring lip typical of salt or condiment spoons.

The silver is bright and well-polished throughout, retaining a clean surface that reflects careful use over time.

There are no dents, splits, or significant scratches. The hallmarks are clear and fully legible. Light surface wear is present, consistent with age, and the monogram engraving remains intact. The piece is in very good condition.

Key Details

• Maker: James & Josiah Williams
• Origin: Bristol / Exeter, England
• Pattern: Fiddle
• Form: Salt spoon (condiment spoon)
• Material: Sterling silver
• Assay Office: Exeter
• Date: 1859
• Weight: 11 g
• Length: 10.1 cm
• Condition: Very good — light wear consistent with age

Collector Appeal

Nineteenth-century provincial silver carries a distinct appeal within the broader field of British flatware, particularly examples bearing marks from smaller assay offices such as Exeter. Pieces by James & Josiah Williams are closely associated with this final period of regional production, giving them added historical interest beyond their function. The Fiddle pattern remains one of the most recognisable and enduring forms in British silver, and smaller pieces such as salt spoons offer an accessible point of entry for collectors, while still retaining full hallmark integrity and period authenticity.

Exeter silver from this period belongs to a tradition that ended within a generation — and has not been replaced.