posted 05-02-2009 09:42 PM            

Hello, All!

I have been cruising about for several weeks attempting to identify the origins of a handful of stunning little spoons. They belong to my 86YO mother, who lives in assisted living. They remain in her possession in her new home and I have taken to spending time talking with her about the history of many of her antique pieces. She has entrusted me with the remainder. I have lived with all of these antiques for my own 61 years and we both love them.

The spoons are stunning little branches with a flower at the end, the spoon's bowl. Here are pics of the group of them. I've included the tops and backs for the group, flipping them, as the detail is impossible to photograph using only a single perspective. I hope this won't create a problem for this wonderful "find" (your forum home). Please tell me if it does and I will edit the post.

There only one mark on each of them; it is the initials "SM" enclosed in a simple box. It is possible that the letters are "WS," if you turn the spoon in the opposite direction, but given the shape of the "M" that seems unlikely. See it here.

There are no British or American identification marks, or any other marks of any sort. Mother has always told me that they are Japanese, as she recalls. She would have purchased them, probably not antique at the time, in Boston in the 1940's.

Does anyone have any idea as to the origins of these lovely sterling silver spoons? She would love to hear about their history, which she has never really been able to tell me about, for as long as I can remember and have asked. She just never knew.

With hope and gratitude,
Linda

posted 05-02-2009 10:18 PM            

They are definitely Japanese, probably 1920s or so. Japanese spoons with floral bowls are pretty common, but your mother's seem far better quality than many and seem to have many fine, thoughtful details. I'm not 100% sure what these spoons were for, perhaps coffee spoons, or just souvenirs. How long are they?

I would guess that they are not sterling but rather 950-grade-silver, a higher quality often used by the Japanese.

I couldn't see the picture of the mark, but it sounds like the type of maker's mark placed on exports for the Western market.

posted 05-02-2009 11:12 PM            

You're right, they are exquisite in their detail. I don't think you'll see anything as exquisite as these. And while I'm no expert, but just an "end user" collector, I don't think I've seen anything more so in shows or on my trip to England and the Registry examples when there.

Hmmm, 950 silver? Sterling is 925, right? Why did they use the higher content? Any special reason? And absolutely no other hallmarks to identify their origination? Odd. Why would the Japanese neglect to do that? Would you be able to identify the maker with a simple single notation? The British were pretty detailed in their silver "geneology," for sure. Hmmmm.

1920's? Just before the war. And they're relatively common? Why have we not seen other examples in our show wanderings? Are they common in Japan and thereabouts, but not in The States?

Did they make these for special occasions or uses? It seems, based on your notes, that they were "universal use" produced, rather than for special use (ie. sugar or creamer use for teas).

It just seems odd that they might be relatively common, but not readily available from estate sales and such. I'm not questioning your statement, BTW, just not having seen or being aware of seeing similar items. Did they use this kind of silversmithing on other kinds of items; little plates, larger spoons, sugar bowls, et al? Curious minds want to know . . . . ;-)

You are very kind to respond and share your knowledge. Thanks so much, Linda

edited to add: They are just a tad longer than my Wallace Shenandoah teaspoons, 6 1/2 to 7 inches long. Handling them is such a treat. They are so sweet.

posted 05-03-2009 12:02 AM            

I'm not a big expert on Asian silver, so I can't identify the maker. Maybe somebody else can. However, since they are not marked in Japanese characters, I think it is safe to assume they were made for the Western market. I don't know the Japanese silver marking laws. Based on what I have seen, there was no apparent standard marking system for export pieces--sometimes they are marked like yours, sometimes they only have the metal content and no signature, sometimes both, etc. Who knows why.

20s was a just my guess, but upon seeing more pictures and the mark, I think they might be older, maybe late 19C/early 20C.
I don't mean spoons specifically like yours are common, but that flower-bowled Japanese spoons, with all sorts of handles, are.

Based on the size, I'm not sure what they are. To me they look just ornamental.

This type of work is typical Japanese naturalistic silver work and it shows up in all sorts of forms, flatware, table ware, jewelry, accessories, vanity items, etc., etc.

posted 05-03-2009 12:39 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Paul Lemieux:
Hi Linda,

Based on the size, I'm not sure what they are. To me they look just ornamental.

This type of work is typical Japanese naturalistic silver work and it shows up in all sorts of forms, flatware, table ware, jewelry, accessories, vanity items, etc., etc.

---

So, OK, Paul, what you say fits with what I am "fingering" at the moment. And that they might be ornamental, rather than intended for table use also makes sense. They are just like little mini pieces of art. You can doubtless see that artistry in the photos.

I'm just wanting to hand them to you to touch so you can experience them as I do.

I learned oh-so-many years ago how different sterling felt when compared to silver plated pieces. Probably by the daily use of sterling silver flatware for meals, with silver plate often used for serving pieces. And it has nothing to do with the weight of similar pieces. You can just feel the difference. Who would have thought, huh? a child learning it just by using it?

Again, you are very kind to respond. We will continue to treat them as the works of art they are, no matter what their original intended use.

Warmly,
Linda

posted 05-03-2009 03:28 PM            

I also see pieces somewhat like yours on a fairly regular basis, although I couldn't say commonly. In scale, everything from demitasse spoons and salts to teasets, and from naturalistic to modernist in style - and presumably spanning pretty much the full range of dates that Paul and Dale have suggested. Construction is typically quite good, and more often than not fairly heavy.

These are quite nice - as are, BTW, your photographs!

-- Frederic

posted 05-03-2009 11:37 PM            

My mother suffers early/middle stage Alzheimers and I love opening up her nearly ceiling-high glass cabinet and grabbing something from it to bring home and research so as to have conversations with her about the things she and my grandmother collected for many years and I have nearly always lived with. As you can no doubt imagine, it's difficult to engage her on conversation much of the time, so using her own beloved collection to do so has helped and we both enjoy them.

ALL: Thank-you so very much for your discussion of your insight and wisdom about these dear spoons. I have enjoyed showing them to you and delight in the information I can take back to my mother. She will enjoy talking about it, as will I.

If anyone else has additional insight or wisdom I would welcome reading more.

There are a number of pieces in her collection that I have especially loved much of my life and these are some of them. I will scan through the collection and if the forum would welcome it, will submit pics and questions about them as well. You are all very kind.

Linda

edited to include: BTW, I am not sure the photos, as good as they are, adequately show that there are a number of "dots" and such which are yellow in color, perhaps gold washed or gold filled. These ARE doubtless works of art for display rather than use, as has been noted earlier.

posted 05-04-2009 02:18 AM            

The yellow gold wash on selected areas is known as parcel (a/k/a "partial") gilding, so your spoons can be described as "parcel gilt silver".

posted 05-04-2009 02:11 PM            

I'm so glad your mother is able to enjoy her beautiful collection.

It's a heartbreaking disease.

posted 05-06-2009 08:36 PM            

I have enjoyed all of the comments and references greatly. Thank-you so much. I plan on showing Mom this thread on my little notebook. She will be absolutely thrilled that there is a world outside still filled with people who love the things she and I have grown up with. I have a huge collection here of silver she has collected over the years; her favorite venue in antiques. Additionally, my grandmother, her mother, started a collection of sewing items which doubtless rivals any museum collection related to the uniqueness of the items.

We went to England together several years ago, her father's home is in Cirencester. We had a wonderful time. Went to a porcelain museum at the Royal Crown Derby factory in Derby. As I wandered about she sat, tired. I spied a little porcelain pitcher nearly identical to one she purchased 40-or-so years ago, showing it to her. She simpered about that goofy pitcher for years, which didn't really blow my socks off, BTW. But she loved it.

Well, long-story-short, it turns out that there is a delightful story about how that little pitcher she owns found its way into the world in its state. She sent it to them for validation of its origins and covets that silly piece more than ever.

These stories are the most valuable part of "collectibles" and other priceless pieces, no matter how simple or inexpensive. Sharing our expertise and experiences is, to me, the real value of our beloved collections. But then, I'm a social worker . . . go figure!

Thanks again for all of your delightful responses, urls, detail and stories. I've enjoyed you all immensely.

Warmly,
Linda

posted 05-13-2009 05:11 PM            

Your spoons have butterflies and the tongs have birds - but I think they'd be lovely on a table together! Thanks for sharing these.

posted 05-17-2009 09:34 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by nutmegr:

Your spoons have butterflies and the tongs have birds - but I think they'd be lovely on a table together! Thanks for sharing these.

---

Oh my, Lisa, you are very welcome. Your tongs are indeed exquisite and our shared "wealth" would indeed be lovely on a table together; as long as it was my table <chuckling>. I can certainly see the similarity in the artistry, but would be hesitant to attribute shared artistry to them. As I understand the posts it, seems likely that the "SM" mark may speak to something other than the maker's identity.

What a difficult time it must have been for the Japanese when these were made and exported. It is remarkable that the metal artists were able to make such wonderful articles for export after the work they did on so much larger items (ie. swords and such). The artistry in these pieces speaks to the breadth of the talent they brought to their earlier work.

I actually handed a printed copy of this discussion to my mother today and she was absolutely delighted to learn so much, recognizing that she was just learning so much more than she had ever known about them than earlier. We have both placed them in the class of "art" rather than utensils, keeping in mind that we never used them, only displaying them earlier anyway. <LOL>

I am pleased that you spotted this thread and agree that they could have been made by the same artist, given the style and artistic talent.

Good luck with your ongoing search.