Love Disarmed by Reed & Barton 2pc All Silver Salad Set, 1st Strike

This rare two-piece sterling silver salad serving set by Reed & Barton, in the celebrated Love Disarmed pattern, is a remarkable example of turn-of-the-century American silver artistry. Dating to the very first year of production, circa 1899, this is a true First Strike example of one of the most iconic Art Nouveau flatware patterns ever created.

Love Disarmed is renowned for its dramatic, flowing Art Nouveau design featuring a sensuous classical woman in high relief, draped in flowing fabric and surrounded by scrolling tendrils. In this rare early strike, she gazes down tenderly at Cupid, who holds his arrow aloft, capturing the romantic tension and mythological storytelling that made this pattern an enduring favorite. The reverse of each piece bears a single “C” monogram, elegantly engraved and discreetly placed, adding to the set’s sense of history and provenance.

This early, first‑strike version captures the crispness and depth of Reed & Barton’s original dies, with sharper detailing and a more pronounced three‑dimensional relief than later strikes of the pattern. The large fork and spoon together create a dramatic presentation on the dining table, whether serving greens, fruits, or composed salads, and they embody the era when silver flatware was both a functional object and a work of art.

With its substantial weight, the iconic depiction of Cupid and the woman, and its early production status, this Love Disarmed salad serving set is a coveted piece for serious collectors of American silver. It represents not only Reed & Barton’s most famous artistic achievement but also the Gilded Age desire to bring myth, beauty, and sculpture to everyday tableware.