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 Caddy or Other Use Spoon?
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| Author | Topic: Caddy or Other Use Spoon? |
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trefid2 Posts: 73 |
posted 04-07-2019 03:13 PM
  
I came across this cast harlequin spoon yesterday and was taken with the subject and fine detailing/features. The face has detailed expression and even the fingernails are shown. Unfortunately my crappy pictures do the spoon no justice. It was made in London in 1823 by Edward Farrell and is just a smidge under 5" in length, weighs 44 grams. At first, I wasn't sure about the bowl shape and thought it may have been reshaped on the one side. However, period "leaf" caddy spoons are known to loosely follow the same bowl design so I'm pretty confident it's okay. In addition, I don't see any evidence it's been altered however input is always welcome! So a question, given it's size would this be considered a caddy spoon or have been used for another purpose ie: sugar?        IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 04-07-2019 09:55 PM
I don't know for sure what it was intended for, though tea caddy spoon does not immediately come to my mind for one reason. Were it a tea caddy spoon with an inherent leaf design I would expect the leaf to be shaped like a tea leaf which this is not. Also, tea caddy spoons tend to be shorter so they can easily fit into the tea caddy box. Sugar is also possible, but again why have a leaf in this shape rather than a leaf from a sugar cane plant? It might just be a nice design that could have been used for many things such as preserves as the leaf could be a grape leaf. Or maybe it was used to stir tea or coffee? Whatever it is I think it is a very nice little spoon. IP: Logged |
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trefid2 Posts: 73 |
posted 04-07-2019 11:03 PM
Kimo, an interesting point about the type of leaf design complimenting the function. I'm not sure what type of leaf this represents. I'm inclined to agree that the length and also the weight would suggest another use other than a caddy spoon. In any event, as small spoons go, it's loaded with character. IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 04-08-2019 08:25 AM
Kimo & trefid2 good thoughts. I have only one additional thought. Perhaps the over the head circle/(maybe snake eating its tail) was used to hang the spoon on a bowl or something else. IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 04-08-2019 02:16 PM
“Farrell was one of the earliest 19th century silversmiths to experiment with and adapt antique designs. Harlequin stemmed tea spoons and nippers were popular in the middle of the 18th century and Farrell modified the design as a sugar or jam spoon – a form which did not exist in the 18th century.” The above explanation is from a web site that has a picture of a spoon very similar to your spoon. Great find. IP: Logged |
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trefid2 Posts: 73 |
posted 04-08-2019 09:30 PM
Scott, the circle is designed as a snake overlapping itself. Looking at examples of harlequin candlesticks/tapersticks and sugar nips, the raised arms of the figure hold onto something which is required to make the item functional. In the case of the candlesticks it's the candle holder and for sugar nips it's the finger rings. Perhaps the ring on the spoon was also designed with a specific purpose/function, such as for hanging when not in use. ahwt, thanks for the additional research and kind words. I almost passed on acquiring it as my wife and I are taking a vacation to continental Europe next month and I wanted to save the money for unknown treasures. It finally dawned on me that this was a treasure located in my own backyard. IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 04-08-2019 11:33 PM
From a search quote: Have a fun trip and look for some more treasures. IP: Logged |
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asheland Posts: 935 |
posted 04-09-2019 10:01 AM
Those are very cool! IP: Logged |
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trefid2 Posts: 73 |
posted 04-09-2019 09:56 PM
ahwt, I'm not sure how you changed the angle and colour of the original picture you made mention of, but this gives a much better look at the bowl shape and patterning. Very impressive and useful. Off topic and probably better suited in the Spring Events & Exhibitions section, there is Art Breda at the Breepark-Breda, Netherlands May 12-19th. On offer will be a wide range of specialist art and antique dealers and contemporary galleries. There are a handful of dealers specializing in silver. Treasures indeed! IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 04-09-2019 10:27 PM
Fabulous! I've often seen harlequin sugar tongs in a similar pattern, with the feet clutching the sugar and the rings (snakes) as the finger rings. (I even have a silver-plate example.) So I would easily believe this is tea-related. IP: Logged |
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