Rodd was an Australian company specialising in the craft of the silversmith. The company built up a long, distinguished reputation with particular emphasis on the production of finely crafted Silverware, Silver plate and hybrid Silver plate/Stainless Steel wares in later years. Not just cutlery either, in their early days, Rodd was very well known for some of the brooch designs they produced.
Over the years the company structure changed and in the 1960's and they hence became known as Mytton Rodd (Australia).
While we do not usually offer items on other people's behalf, an extended family member has asked us to see if 'someone' may like yet more (Yes, they have been passing a LOT of Sterling & Silverplate to us!) to have a nice piece of Australian Silversmith history in the form of this Gumbo spoon set in the original vinyl covered metal hinged case. This time they did not give us the original Guarantee Certificate though.
Quite frankly I was a bit perplexed as to the purpose of these spoons. They look very similar to a spoon that I like to use for a nice fruit and icecream desert (Lychee's and Blue Ribbon Icecream - yummy!) but my wife tells me that these spoons are actually called Gumbo spoons and most often used with things like a chowder based dish. I still think they look great for deserts though!
These spoons have a 1.5" (39mm) round bowl and are not particularly shallow and a noticeably shorter handle than "other" spoons, measuring just 4" (101mm) in length.
Considering these definitely date from the 1950's, the condition of both the spoons and casing is very good ... let's get down to some details.
If this is not the cutlery you may be hunting around for, HERE is a link to help you find the other Rodd cutlery we currently have (or have had!)
RODD (Australia) - Gumbo Spoon Presentation Box Set (6)
Made in Victoria by this infamous Australian Jeweller & Silversmith icon
Pattern name: BALLERINA
Finish: Silver Plate (E.P.N.S A1 Grade)
IDENTIFICATION:
Here is a photograph of the stamping on the back of each spoon
DIMENSIONS:
As mentioned above, these look to be "Gumbo" spoons for things like Chowder dishes ... the round bowl is 1.5" diameter with the handle being 4" in length, that is quite a bit shorter than a "normal" eating untensil handle.
CONDITION:
As we do with most of our chinaware's, let's give this Silver plate dining utensil a personalised rating for condition and appearance
DTNS RATING: 9.0/10 (Darling! That's Nice Silverware!)
The spoons are in really good condition (9.8/10) but I have lowered the rating because the metal casing is a little "tired" looking - we all get tired after 75+ years!
CLEAN
NO obvious or significant scratches to the spoons at all
NO bending!
NO oxidisation damage observed - patina Yes (which has been cleaned up) but "pitting" NO
Every spoon has been cleaned safely. Silver can be a pain, it needs a polish up from time to time.
How? (I hear you ask, mouth wide open with tongue drooping to one side ...)
Get an Aluminium tray, often sold for use at BBQ's. Place your Silverware inside the tray along with Bicarb of Soda (readily available at the supermarket = Baking Soda) and add some warm/hot water. The 'trick' here is that as much of the Silverplated item should be in contact with the Aluminium dish, sometimes we have even wrapped the item in Al-foil to help the process along. The oxidisation marks will rapidly disappear (around 10 minutes should do the trick) and rub up lightly with a nice soft micro-cloth. Job done, nice and easy while being safe to handle and use with your tea!
It is then important to maintain the condition and this can be done by softly rubbing with a polishing cloth, if this is done regularly then there is no need for a dramatic cleanup using Bicarb.
The outer metal (iron based as it is attracted to a magnet, I am guessing that it is Tin) case is in pretty good shape, all things considered. The hinges are fine, these look to be a Brass material. The front handle is NOT a locking type. The top section is closed tightly by a spring, that is working fine. The real downside to the case is the original White now moved towards a Yellowish look .., a have wiped with a damp cloth but it made no noticeable difference to the discolouration.
Now that this description is complete, I have placed EVERY spoon INDIVIDUALLY within a sealed clear plastic, added a small 'pad' of bubblewrap INSIDE the box so that the spoons don't all move around and then the complete box has been sealed in clear plastic to maintain the current condition of both the packaging and spoons. Silver plate of course will very slowly start tarnishing (turns Yellowish then Brown) but at least the sealed box will slow this process down considerably.
Nice little package for those who would like to have some Australian memorabilia from the '50s era!
