THE QUEST!
Yet another "special" item that we have been requested to seek a new home for by our extended family.
While our family (my wife in particular) likes a nice piece of chinaware, we did have a small number of Silverware/Silver plated items but upon being asked by extended family "could you find new homes for these bits & pieces, dear?" I have been forced to undertake quite a bit of research, which I actually enjoy in any case, about this item. I have unearthed some information but it is not complete, specifically - what was it's original designed purpose!
Definitely the Hallmark on the rear of the handle identifies this flatware as having been designed and made by Thorvald Marthinsen (now commonly known as TH Marthinsen), a high quality metalware company in Norway that has been in operation since the late 1800's
Take a look at their current extensive range of home products HERE
Difficult to put a date on this item, it is quite simplistic and contemporary in design but it uses the symbols for the Hallmark, not just a printed name. The family member who provided this to me says they don't know a lot about it, they "believe" this flatware was acquired in Europe and we told that this piece dated from around the 1950's ~ 1960's but I have nothing to confirm that.
But the BIG question for everyone, that I have not been able to solve, just what on earth was this used for?
I would liken it to a small spatula & spoon hybrid ... I mean that the "bowl" or base is flat but the sides are slightly upturned. This couldn't have been intended for sugar (as in a teaspoon) as the sugar would just fall off and the bowl is far too large to fit inside many teacup mouths. I could have been used as an egg serving tool although again, they would need to be small eggs such as quail.
Enough of the chit chat, here is a description of this Flatware in detail ...
THORVALD MARTHINSEN - Flat Tableware Utensil
Designed and made in Norway
Circa 1950's ~ 1960's in my estimation. I have commented about this in the above section.
Design: Simplistic smooth curves which two designs, scroll work at the end of the handle (both sides) and IN the "bowl" area of the flatware. No Viking references here (many Norwegian Sterling and Silver Plate wares have Viking inspired designs) but this graphic does look to be some sort of crest or shield. There is no text of any kind in the graphics, this makes it just a bit difficult to work out what it represents. A photograph of this graphic is included.
Silver Plate: Definitely Silver Plated but just a slight difference from the "standard" British markings. This flatware has N.M.60 impressed into the metal (see the photograph).
The 60 apparently refers to the number of grams of Silver used in the plating process, in this case 60g although this number could be spread over multiple items. It is a guide as to the quality of the plating, from the lowest of 20 up to some pieces which can have 100 or even 150 stamped on them.
The prefix N.M. means "Norskt Mönster" or Norwegian Silver
The imprinted block of symbols just prior to the quality stamp is a specific mark used by this company, these days they most often just use text to identify their products.
DIMENSIONS:
Overall it is something like a large teaspoon but with the major obvious difference being the "bowl" which is much broader and shallower than a teaspoon, but it is not completely flat. The angle of the handle in relation to this flattened bowl area suggests a "lifter" of some sort.
147mm (5.75") total length
"Bowl or Splade" area measures 44.6mm (1.55") width at the widest point and is 58.75mm (2.3") in length - this is MUCH larger than a teaspoon bowl and of the wrong shape.
While not quite flat (there is a slight bowl like shape) the sides are slightly upturned, but only slightly.
Much too small for a standard egg lifter or even fish (they would need to be very small fish!)
The total weight is 29g
With the quality stamp of N.M.60 this cannot have 60g of Silver (it would surely then be called Sterling if solid Silver) but I feel this quality rating is to be taken across a number of pieces produced OR the information I found was slightly incorrect in that the 60 could refer to the percentage of Silver to the base metal, presumably Nickel.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
The extended family member who asked me to find a new owner for this flatware obviously looked after these! Either it was barely used or the quality of work(person)ship means it did not mark or degrade easily
USED
CLEAN
The Silver plating is entirely unblemished - no spotting, no marks and certainly no signs of damage to the plate and subsequent base metal oxidising.
Yes, there are MINOR wear and useage scratches, not worn patches but just very very light hairline type scratches from use and/or washing.
Obviously I have cleaned up the patina on this Silverware, I like to be able to fully inspect the piece closely and quite frankly do not understand why folk like to keep their Sterling or Silver Plate with a heavy patina - it just doesn't look good!
For the collector of mystery Norwegian Flatware or Silver Plated wares in general - not fancy but interesting none-the-less
This Flatware has now been placed into a sealed clear plastic packet to assist in reducing the gradual oxidisation that occurs with Silver based products.
