Mid-Century Modern Long-Handled Sterling Silver Cocktail or Jam Spoon
Flatware - Barware / Specialty Spoon · Indeterminable due to image focus; style suggests American manufacturers like Towle, Gorham, or international makers like Georg Jensen or silversmiths from Taxco, Mexico.
Pattern: Minimalist Tapered Pattern, characteristic of mid-20th-century functionalism.
Type
Flatware - Barware / Specialty Spoon
Maker
Indeterminable due to image focus; style suggests American manufacturers like Towle, Gorham, or international makers like Georg Jensen or silversmiths from Taxco, Mexico.
Material
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity) or high-quality silver plate (EPNS). Visual tarnish indicates actual silver content over a base metal or solid silver composition.
Dimensions
Estimated length: 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm). Estimated weight: 25-45 grams. Spoon bowl appears to be teaspoon/small olive spoon size.
Description
An elegant and slender long-handled spoon featuring a small, rounded bowl and a starkly minimalist square-tapered handle. This piece reflects the Mid-Century Modern philosophy of 'form follows function,' providing a sophisticated tool for bar service or reaching the bottom of deep jars while maintaining a graceful, contemporary silhouette.
Key Features
Distinctive elongated 'iced tea' or 'cocktail' handle; lack of shoulder or bolster decoration; small oval-to-round bowl.
Material & Composition
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity) or high-quality silver plate (EPNS). Visual tarnish indicates actual silver content over a base metal or solid silver composition.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish on the bowl with a slender, elongated, non-decorated handle. Late Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern aesthetic focusing on form over ornament.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in the photograph. Expected marks would be on the reverse of the handle or neck, likely including 'Sterling' or decimal marks like '925'.
Construction Details
Die-struck or machine-forged from a single sheet of silver. The transition from the slender handle to the bowl shows a seamless industrial finish.
Functional Features
Extra-long handle designed for reaching into tall cocktail pitchers, iced tea glasses, or deep condiment jars.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid metal square-tapered handle. Integrated construction without separate grip materials like wood or bone.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality machine finishing. Even proportions and a smooth bowl-to-handle transition suggests a reputable commercial manufacturer.
Authentication Indicators
The color and behavior of the tarnish (sulfide buildup) are consistent with silver or silver-plated surfaces. The thinness of the handle is typical of compressed forged silver alloys.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States or Scandinavia. The style fits the 'Danish Modern' trend that dominated high-end silver flatware in the mid-20th century.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (1945-1970). The clinical, sleek lines are representative of post-war design shifting away from ornate Victorian styles.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1965 based on the profile and minimalist silhouette.
Cultural Significance
Represents the post-war transition toward casual but sophisticated entertaining and the rejection of heavy, ornate traditional silverware.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. Significant surface tarnish (oxidation) is present along the handle, which appears as dark streaking. No visible bends or deep pitting, but require professional polishing.
Value Estimate
If Sterling: $40 - $85 USD. If Silver Plate: $5 - $15 USD. Value is driven primarily by melt weight and maker identification.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash only. Use a soft cloth and high-quality silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid abrasive sponges which will scratch the delicate slender handle.
Similar Pieces
Georg Jensen 'Acorn' Iced Tea Spoon (more ornate), Reed & Barton 'Dimension' (similar minimalist style), or generic hotel-ware silver plate.
Interesting Facts
Long-handled spoons became high-status symbols in the mid-century as 'cocktail culture' rose in popularity in American and European households.