Excellent Baroque Gravy Boat

Robert Wallace, born on November 13, 1815, in Prospect, Connecticut, was the son of James and Irene Wallace, Scottish immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in the late 18th century. Growing up in a farming family, Robert received a basic education typical of the time. Despite these modest beginnings, he would go on to become a significant figure in American silver craftsmanship.

At age 16, Wallace began his apprenticeship with Captain William Mix, a skilled spoon maker who worked for the Meriden Britannia Company, then one of the Northeast's leading cutlery and hollowware manufacturers. A Meriden Britannia apprenticeship was highly coveted, and Wallace's time with Captain Mix gave him valuable skills in silverwork. Once he had learned the trade, Wallace left his apprenticeship, bought an old gristmill, and set up a small silver shop in 1833 where he focused initially on producing silver spoons.

A key turning point came when Wallace encountered a nickel alloy spoon known as German silver in New York City. Made by Dixon and Sons of Sheffield, England, this durable alloy fascinated Wallace, who then purchased the formula for $20 from chemist Dr. Louis Feuchtwanger. This investment enabled Wallace to produce America’s first German silver, marking the beginning of a new era in American silver manufacturing and securing his legacy as an industry innovator.