Potter Mellen, Cleveland, A&C Sterling Silver Baby Spoon & Fork

As noted in a catalogue listing for a spoon held by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, "Horace E. Potter, a native of Cleveland, was one of the city’s most accomplished and long-lived artists of the Arts and Crafts era.""

He produced jewelry and flat and hollow ware. In addition to the piece noted above, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum has a leaf form spoon of his that is listed on its online catalogue.

Working from 1897 onward, he established the partnership of Potter and Mellen, whose "leaf encircled by the names" mark and "Sterling" appear on this baby spoon and fork pair, in 1933 and stayed with the firm until his death in 1948.

Exhibiting the Arts & Crafts style for which Potter was known, these two items likely date from the 1930s.

The handles are flat with rounded ends and are engraved in a block letter "B L G" monogram on the fronts.

The spoon measures 4 3/8" long, weighs .8 T. oz., and has a hammered backside bowl.

The 4 1/4" long, .6 T. oz., fork has four tines and a smooth surface overall.

In excellent condition, the only signs of use are light surface scratches consistent with normal use. There are no bends, scuffs, dents in the bowl, or tip wear on the tines. The finish shows a warm patina.