Turner & Simpson, Birmingham | Set of Six Sterling Silver and Plique-à-jour Enamel Teaspoons | Hallmarked Birmingham 1927 | Original Fitted Case | Excellent Condition

Six small objects, each one a meeting of the silversmith's art and the enameller's fire — turquoise, cobalt and green locked in sterling silver, still brilliant after nearly a century.

BACKGROUND

Turner & Simpson were one of Birmingham's most accomplished silver manufacturing firms, operating from their Hockley premises through the late Victorian era and well into the twentieth century. Birmingham — home to the Assay Office since 1773, identified by its anchor hallmark — was the centre of British small silverware production, and firms such as Turner & Simpson brought exceptional technical refinement to the production of decorative flatware. This set, hallmarked 1927, sits at the height of the Art Deco period, yet the enamel work draws on an older tradition: the handles combine turquoise and green plique-à-jour style enamel with intricate silver scrollwork, while the reverse of each bowl is fully enamelled in cobalt blue and teal with white dot borders and flowing silver wirework — a level of decorative ambition rarely seen in teaspoon sets of any period.

DESCRIPTION

Six teaspoons, each of slender elegant form with a plain polished sterling silver bowl and a fully articulated enamel handle. The handle comprises three distinct enamel sections: a pointed terminal in turquoise with silver scroll inlay, a central navette-shaped panel in emerald green with white scrollwork, and a rope-twist silver stem connecting the sections. The reverse of each bowl is enamelled in cobalt blue and teal, with a border of white ovals and flowing silver acanthus scroll work — visible evidence of the meticulous hand-finishing involved. All six spoons are uniform and matched. Presented in the original fitted fan-shaped case with cream silk lining to the lid and gold velvet base.

CONDITION

Excellent. The enamel is vibrant and intact across all six spoons with no visible chipping, cracking or loss. Silver bowls retain a strong polish with only the lightest surface wear consistent with age. The original case shows honest exterior wear — the leather covering has some scuffing and edge wear — but closes securely and retains its original brass fittings and full silk and velvet lining.

KEY DETAILS

• Maker: Turner & Simpson, Birmingham
• Assay Office: Birmingham (anchor mark)
• Date Letter: 1927
• Metal: Sterling silver (92.5%) — confirmed by lion passant hallmark
• Enamel: Plique-à-jour style, turquoise, cobalt blue, emerald green and white
• Pieces: 6 teaspoons in original fitted case
• Dimensions: Approximately 11cm per spoon
• Weight: To be confirmed — estimated approximately 100–120g for the set
• Condition: Excellent — enamel intact, silver polished, case worn externally but sound
• Buyer profile: Silver collector; Art Deco enthusiast; gift buyer seeking an heirloom-quality presentation piece

The anchor was struck in Birmingham, the date letter cut in 1927 — and the colours have not faded in the years since.