Caddy spoon, kidney shaped bowl
Date1811-1812
Artist/Maker
Cocks & Bettridge
OriginEngland, Birmingham
MediumSilver (Sterling)
DimensionsOL: 3 1/4"; W of bowl: 1 1/4"
Credit LineGift of Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
Object number1998-97
DescriptionShort curved handle with rounded tip; kidney shaped bowl. Handle with pricked engraved pear shape at tip; stem with central wriggle work sprig design and prick engraved wavy lines on sides; shoulders pointed with small section of prick engraved diapering. Bowl with wriggle work border enclosed in prick engraved lines above and below. Gaps of wriggle work in border form wavy line pattern around bowl.Label TextDuring the eighteenth century drinking tea was an important social custom in England and America. The practice of serving it required both distinctive manners and specific equipment. Because tea was a valued commodity, the leaves were stored in a locked tea caddy to prevent theft. Tea caddy spoons were often purchased separately to scoop the loose leaves from the caddy to the teapot. Although they are mostly thought of as silver objects, caddy spoons were also made of other materials such as ivory, mother-of-pearl, and tortoiseshell. These little spoons were mass produced during this time in various shapes including shells, leaves, and the eagle’s wing.Mark(s)lion passant; monarch's head; anchor; date letter "n"; maker's mark "C&B" in rectangleProvenanceEx Coll: Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
