Spoon

I write in response to the letter from Andrew Morris (ATG No 2601) endeavouring to identify the use of the pivoting spoon.

I wonder if any readers can help identify the purpose of a most unusual silver spoon in my possession.

Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) June 13-14 Fine Interiors sale included a collection of Norwich 17th century silver assembled by one of East Anglia’s best-known families.

Treen boxes and silver caddy spoons were sold as part of the Fine Silver sale at Anderson & Garland

Lawrences of Crewkerne kicks off 2023 with an extensive £1m (premium-inclusive) series of sales over several days

This otherwise mundane late 18th century fiddle pattern silver dessert spoon is from Lord Nelson’s first personal service.

Irish Georgian silver made outside Dublin and Cork comes with significant rarity value

The sale of Silver and Objects of Vertu at Bonhams Knightsbridge on October 20-21 was topped by a multi-estimate bid for a remarkable flatware service by Tiffany.

For many years the largest city outside London, Norwich had its own silver assay office during three periods from 1565-1702.

Silver was the major strength of a recent two-day sale at Dreweatts (25% buyers’ premium). All bar one of the 549 lots got away to a hammer total tipping the £1m mark.

The collecting history of English silver spoons spans well over a century.

A Plymouth solicitor’s lifetime appreciation of West Country silver was shared by enthusiastic bidders at Chilcotts’ (21% buyer’s premium) Honiton rooms.

Eight frost fairs were held on the Thames between 1607-1814, taking advantage of the firm ice that formed on the river as it flowed slowly in the shallows near the old London Bridge.

Further lots from ancient country seat star alongside a stellar specialist collection.

As very personal items, typically weighing little more than an ounce of bullion, the most numerous silver survivors from the 17th century are spoons.

The principal private collection of silver sold at Woolley & Wallis's latest specialist auction included a fine array of caddy spoons.

Gavin Campbell (1851-1922), the 7th Earl of Breadalbane, was a prominent society figure and Liberal politician in the Gladstone administration but is best known in collecting circles as the owner of a vast array of silver.

Michael Harris signature piece sells well at auction alongside Louis Osman silver spoons set

As hugely personal items and of relatively small melt value, spoons represent the great majority of English domestic silver items surviving from the pre-civil war period.

Once the second city in the kingdom, Norwich had its own silver assay office during three periods between 1565 and 1702.