This page attempts to give some insight to, and details of, the very popular 'Coronation' pattern, Oneida® Community, silver plate.

The pattern, 'Coronation', has been variously described as being 'characterised by a pierced (3 openings) motif of flowers', or a 'stylised royal crown atop a flower and leaf motif'. I have even seen the pattern described as an 'art deco style'. Take you pick, as either way it is pretty neat!

Where possible an image of each piece listed will be available along with details such as size/length, and any alternate name by which the piece can be called. If the piece has any unusual characteristics, then these will also be noted.

The inspiration for this page came from my seeing Tandy's Silverplate site. Thank you Tandy.

'Coronation' was, according to most folk, released on 26th May 1936 to commemorate the crowning of Edward VIII (1894-1972) of England (Bones and Fisher in 'The Standard Encyclopedia of American Silverplate'). Edward VIII became King in January 1936 after the death of his father, George V. However Murphy's Law applied and Edward abdicated in December 1936 so as to be able to marry Mrs Simpson (a two-time divorcee).

Now while I don't dispute the truth of the above, I have also heard that the pattern was initially released in England (UK) in 1932, under the name 'Hampton Court' and later had its name changed.

Yet another story has come to my attention. This one is to the effect that it was felt it to be 'improper' to have a publicaly available silverware pattern associated with the first and only British monarch ever to resign voluntarily. So 'Coronation' was renamed 'Hampton Court' in most British Commonwealth countries to remove the association.

I have heard that another reason for the duality of names for this popular pattern is marketing. That is to say that some folk take more of a shine (!) to one name while others prefer something else. Hence a marketing ploy is to market the same item under different names. This gives a perceived wider choice but also allows the most popular name to 'rise to the surface'.
In this case different names became more prominent in different countries: 'Hampton Court' in European and South Pacific countries, and 'Coronation' in North America.

Today, in New Zealand, Australia and the UK, the pattern, referred to as 'Coronation' in North America, is still called, and sold under the name of, 'Hampton Court'.

The Oneida® Company web site (The Oneida® Company Ltd) contains some really interesting details of the company's formation, history and present interests, and is well worth a look.

Oneida Ltd. with headquarters in nearby Sherrill and Oneida is one of the world's largest makers of tableware -- flatware in silverplate and silverplate, crystal giftware and cutlery.

Between 2,500 to 2,600 work at the tableware factory in Sherrill, off Route 5 on Seneca Street and on Kenwood Avenue, and at the headquarters on Kenwood Avenue in the city of Oneida. However, the company's subsidiaries -- Camden Wire and Buffalo China -- bring total employment to 5,400.

The roots of the company evolved from the Oneida Community, founded in 1848 as a successful and enduring Utopian society. Their rejection of traditional family relationships and desire for personal perfection were considered scandalous by Victorian standards. Nevertheless, the Community created several lucrative businesses, including making silverware. The Community's Mansion still exists as a separate entity and offers escorted tours and commentary about the sect's history

Oneida, in the form of Valerie Thron, were kind enough to send me some old (1937) advertisments and price lists. Take a look on the 1937 Prices Page. Many thanks to Valerie for the material. (I will place the adverts and other material on the site in the near future.)

In the United Kingdom, Coronation is now manufactured in a small town, Bangor, in Northern Ireland.
While still marketed by Oneida UK under the name Hampton Court it is now 'grouped' under a heading of 'Lifetime Silverplated'. The range offered is small, and as is usual in the UK, very expensive.

At present I have been able to identify about 50 different pieces, but it is worth pointing out that there are numerous minor variations in the look of some pieces. This most often occurs with the 'two-part' pieces - that is those with a separate handle and blade: knives, carving forks, soup ladles and the likes.

For example I have 3 different blade styles on the standard dinner knife:

Modern - the entire blade tapers into the base of the handle. There is also a centle curve along the blade.
New French - the cutting edge of the French blade extends below the handle. The edge opposite the cutting side is more curved than an 'Old French' blade. It does not taper to meet the handle.
Old French - this is between what is known as a 'Blunt Blade' and the 'New French'. The edge opposite the cutting side is mostly flat like a 'Blunt Blade'. The cutting edge of the French blade extends below the handle. It does not taper in to meet the handle as the 'Modern Blade' does.

Why are there three blade types?

Well there are three reasons; two or which are inter-related. The first is country of origin of the piece and the second is related to tax and import laws.

Many counties had, at one stage or another, a punitive tax on the importation of precious metals, such as silver. To circumvent this, and so keep the cost of pieces to a reasonable level, just the unplated blank handles (of two-part pieces) and the unplated solid pieces were sent to some countries for completion. Thus each country added the blade etc (in the case of the two-part items) along with the silver plate.

This 'local completion' technique also explains why the 'Community' 'name', found on most knife blades, is in different styles. Sometimes a standard letter font, and sometimes in script. The identification stamped into the back of 'solid pieces' also varies: 'Community' and 'Community Plate' being the two possibilities.

The quality, and thickness, of the silverplateing also varies a little between items from different countries. Again, this was due to the tax and cost issues. As a general rule this has little impact on the pieces themselves, other than some may wear a tad more than others.

Obviously, the third reason is fashion, a sign of the times. As we have moved through the 20th century we have come to expect sleeker lines and slimmer styles and flatware is not exempt from these influences. Knife blades have become slimmer and spoons smaller. What will we see next? Splades - a combination knife and spoon popular with the single-hand eating sect!

Different names for the same piece also adds to the confusion! For example 'Salad Forks' are a North American 'invention' and are slightly wider than the English equivalent Dessert Fork'. Now I am also aware that the English 'Dessert Fork' is also called a 'Luncheon Fork' in the USA.

North Americans call the English 'Dessert Spoon' an 'Oval Soup Spoon', and the English 'Butter Knife' a 'Butter Spreader'. There are a number of other examples I am aware of.

Just because we live in New Zealand doesn't mean we don't like nice things! My parents were given 6 place settings (44 pieces) of 'Coronation' (Hampton Court) when they married in 1951. This set has been used almost every day since then and it still sets a fine table. They have added to the original and now have 12 place settings.

When my wife and I married, in 1976, we were presented with a 44-piece set, as was my brother on his wedding day. We recently had our first niece marry and guess what? Yes, she received a 44-piece set of the same pattern! My two daughters already know what they will be getting on their wedding day! A number of close family and family friends also have this pattern. It has proved to be durable, versatile and remains, to this day, attractive. We love it!

Over the years I have purchased numerous additional bits and pieces both in New Zealand and overseas. Both my brother and I are expanding our place settings and looking for any new or different bits for the collections. EBay is taking a pounding (I also have an About Me page on eBay!), as are the other sites I have listed below!

Recognised as one of the most successful patterns (no matter what you call it!) 'Coronation' is still produced and is available new in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and North America (USA/Canada).

A thriving second-hand market has also developed, ably assisted by the advent of eBay and many reputable dealers now trade in 'Coronation'. Estate lots are highly sort after as many contain unusual pieces not now manufactured.

The following is a list of all the pieces I am currently aware of, and know to exist! If you know of any pieces that are not listed, I would be MOST interested, so please let me (Charles) know.

Click on any Item, that is a link, to see an image of the specific piece, along with some additional usage details.

Possible Pieces!

The following is a list of pieces that I have heard of, but have never handled or seen.

Original Pieces

Heavy Handled Steel - matches with a carving knife and fork

Heavy Handled Carving Knife - a match with item 4 (Carving Fork) above. The fork has a handle that is about 1/8" wider and thicker than anything I have ever seen.

Conversion Pieces

Note: The images attached to these 'conversion' items do not show the Coronation pattern, but do give an indication of what the specific items looks like.)

Potato Fork - reportedly a conversion/modification of a standard 4 tine Dinner Fork

Napkin Ring - possibly a conversion/modification involving a Tea Spoon

Cheese Cleaver - a standard Dinner Knife handle with a new large area square blade 'attachment'. Looks like a small axe.

Cheese Grater - a standard Dinner Knife handle with a new grater 'attachment'. Also called a Nutmeg Grater.

Lasagna Server - a standard Dinner Knife handle with a new wide oblong flat serving blade 'attachment'.

Bar Knife - a standard Dinner Knife handle with a new blade, combining a cheese knife and bottle opened 'attachment'.

Ice Shovel - a standard Dinner Knife handle with a new shovel like 'attachment'.

Double Jigger - a standard Dinner Knife handle with a new, different sized, double jigger 'attachment'.

Corkscrew - no idea what this is built from!

This site has been built using CuteHTML and JADE, and is hosted by Geocities.

The author is Charles Duke, whose hometown is Christchurch, New Zealand.