Vintage Souvenir Spoon featuring The Falls, Lilydale Tasmania with Enamel Finial
Flatware - Spoon (Souvenir Spoon) · Unknown manufacturer, likely an Australian silversmith or souvenir wholesaler producing tourist pieces during the mid-20th century.
Pattern: Souvenir Spoon Collection / Travel Memorabilia featuring Australian tourist destinations
Type
Flatware - Spoon (Souvenir Spoon)
Maker
Unknown manufacturer, likely an Australian silversmith or souvenir wholesaler producing tourist pieces during the mid-20th century.
Material
Silver-plated base metal (such as EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), featuring polychrome vitreous enamel on the finial.
Dimensions
Standard souvenir spoon size, approximately 10 to 12 cm (4 to 4.5 inches) in length, weighing roughly 15 to 25 grams.
Description
This charming vintage souvenir spoon celebrates the natural beauty of Lilydale, Tasmania, featuring a vibrant enameled finial that depicts "The Falls." The handle is elegantly detailed with a textured foliate pattern that transitions into a polished tear-drop bowl. A wonderful piece of travel memorabilia that captures the mid-century enthusiasm for collecting spoons from around the globe.
Key Features
Vibrant polychrome enamel terminal with specific geographic lettering ("THE FALLS LILYDALE TAS"), textured stem design, and classic tourist souvenir form.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated base metal (such as EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver), featuring polychrome vitreous enamel on the finial.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on the bowl with an engraved foliate or scale motif along the upper stem. The terminal features a colorful champleve or cloisonne enamel scene depicting a waterfall with the text "THE FALLS" and "LILYDALE TAS".
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not clearly visible in the image, likely stamped on the reverse of the stem with maker's initials and standard EPNS (Electroplated Nickel Silver) or silver-plate indicator marks.
Construction Details
Die-struck bowl and stem with an applied or integrated enamel terminal plaque, typical of mass-produced mid-century souvenir spoons.
Functional Features
Collectible display piece; while fully functional as a teaspoon or demitasse spoon, it is primarily intended for display as a travel souvenir.
Handle & Grip Details
Flat handle featuring a textured leaf or feather pattern leading up to a widened, shield-shaped enameled terminal designed for easy gripping and visual appeal.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial souvenir production quality. Features clean stamping, neatly applied colored enamel, and a polished finish suitable for the tourist market.
Authentication Indicators
Typical construction, weight, and enamel application for mid-20th-century tourist trade souvenir spoons. Hand-held scale and visual finish indicate plated base metal rather than solid sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Australia, specifically commemorating a natural attraction in Lilydale, Tasmania.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1950s-1970s), during the height of the international souvenir spoon collecting craze.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950 to 1975, based on the style of the enamelwork and the popularity of Australian tourist souvenir spoons during the post-WWII tourism boom.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the post-war rise of domestic and international tourism, serving as an accessible, portable memento that allowed travelers to document their journeys and decorate their homes.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. The bowl shows minor surface tarnish and light scratching consistent with age and gentle handling. The enamel appears intact with bright colors and no major chips or cracking visible.
Value Estimate
Low to moderate collector value, typically ranging from $10 to $30 USD depending on collector demand for Tasmanian memorabilia and overall condition.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Avoid harsh silver dips, as chemical dips can damage or discolor the vitreous enamel on the finial. Store in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
Similar Pieces
Other Australian and international souvenir spoons featuring scenic enameled shields from various towns, national parks, and tourist landmarks.
Interesting Facts
Souvenir spoon collecting, sometimes called 'spoon collecting' or 'philatelately of the metal age,' was an immensely popular hobby in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, with collectors gathering pieces from every town, monument, and natural wonder they visited.