Vintage Souvenir or Floral Pattern Silver Plated Demitasse Spoon
Flatware (Spoon - Demitasse / Teaspoon) · Unidentified manufacturer, likely a mass-market novelty or souvenir flatware producer from the mid-20th century.
Pattern: Floral Rose Motif Souvenir Pattern, mass-produced and unbranded.
Type
Flatware (Spoon - Demitasse / Teaspoon)
Maker
Unidentified manufacturer, likely a mass-market novelty or souvenir flatware producer from the mid-20th century.
Material
Silver Plated Base Metal, typically nickel silver or white metal alloy beneath an electroplated silver layer.
Dimensions
Estimated length approximately 4 to 5 inches (10-12 cm), standard size for a demitasse, souvenir, or teaspoon, with light weight typical of plated souvenir items.
Description
A charming vintage small-format spoon featuring a heavily textured, scalloped terminal topped with a prominent, raised rose blossom. The stem bears export manufacturing stamps, leading down to a classic teardrop-shaped bowl that shows moderate tarnish and patina. It represents the widespread post-war souvenir and novelty flatware market.
Key Features
Prominent three-dimensional rose terminal with stippled background texture, compact demitasse size, and visible export country-of-origin stamp along the narrow stem.
Material & Composition
Silver Plated Base Metal, typically nickel silver or white metal alloy beneath an electroplated silver layer.
Finish & Decoration
Textured stippled background on the terminal with a raised (repoussé or cast) three-dimensional rose blossom motif, featuring a mirror polish on the bowl.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Indistinct stamped text visible on the stem, likely reading 'MADE IN HONG KONG' or a similar export origin stamp, lacking traditional precious metal hallmarks.
Construction Details
Die-struck and mass-manufactured, featuring a stamped bowl and a separately formed or simultaneously pressed handle joined mechanically or cast as a single unit.
Functional Features
Designed for stirring espresso, demitasse coffee, or tea, serving primarily as a decorative or collectible novelty piece rather than formal dining flatware.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid-form plated metal handle featuring a scalloped terminal and a central raised floral rose design, offering a compact grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial, mass-produced quality with machine stamping and basic finishing, lacking the hand-chased detail of fine antique sterling silver.
Authentication Indicators
Absence of sterling marks (.925) and presence of export stamps like 'Made in...' confirms it is silver-plated base metal rather than solid sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in East Asia (such as Hong Kong or Japan) for the global tourist and souvenir market.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century / Mid-Century Modern Era, c. 1950s-1970s, based on export marking trends and souvenir spoon collecting crazes.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1980, typical of mass-market imported souvenir spoons.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the mid-century boom in global tourism and mass-manufactured decorative table items accessible to the general public.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good vintage condition. Noticeable dark tarnish and sulfide staining across the bowl and stem, with surface micro-scratches and potential minor loss of the silver plating on high-friction areas, but structurally intact.
Value Estimate
Low market value, typically ranging from $2 to $10 USD depending on sentimental value and local antique market demand.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a mild liquid dish soap and a soft cloth to preserve the existing plating. Avoid harsh chemical dips which can strip thin electroplate layers, and store in a dry environment.
Similar Pieces
Common tourist souvenir spoons from the mid-to-late 20th century featuring floral, cityscape, or coat-of-arms terminals.
Interesting Facts
Souvenir and floral novelty spoons became immensely popular in the mid-20th century as affordable travel mementos and collector items traded worldwide.