Caddy spoon, rectangular bowl
Date1818-1819
Artist/Maker
Joseph Willmore
working ca 1805-died 1855
OriginEngland, Birmingham
MediumSilver (Sterling)
DimensionsOL: 3 3/8"; w of bowl:1 5/8"
Credit LineGift of Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
Object number1998-113
DescriptionShort fiddle handle; shallow rectangular bowl. Handle with wavy pricked engraved rectangle at tip enclosed in pair of pricked engraved lines; wriggle work sprig design along stem. Bowl with wriggle work shell in center with matted background enclosed in rectangle; band of wavy wriggle work surrounding. Pair of pricked engraved lines border 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 "u"; maker's mark "JW" in ovalProvenanceEx Coll: Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
