Mid-Century Sterling Silver Iced Tea Spoon, Likely Oneida or Gorham
Flatware - Iced Tea Spoon (Long-Handled Spoon) · Likely American manufacturer such as Oneida, Gorham, or International Silver. These companies dominated the 20th-century market for long-handled beverage spoons.
Pattern: Modernist Tapered Scroll/Pointed Antique variant. The pattern features a clipped corner or 'coffin' style end with subtle linear bordering, characteristic of mid-20th-century American silver.
Type
Flatware - Iced Tea Spoon (Long-Handled Spoon)
Maker
Likely American manufacturer such as Oneida, Gorham, or International Silver. These companies dominated the 20th-century market for long-handled beverage spoons.
Material
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity). It may also be high-quality Silver Plate (EPNS) on a nickel-brass base, depending on the reverse hallmarks not visible in the image.
Dimensions
Length: Approximately 7.5 to 8.5 inches (19-21 cm). Weight: Approximately 25-35 grams for sterling variants.
Description
An elegant, long-handled iced tea spoon featuring a minimalist modernist pattern. The design balances a slender, elongated neck with a classic oval bowl, terminating in a modestly decorated handle with clipped corners and a faint engraved border.
Key Features
Distinguished by its extreme length-to-bowl ratio and the geometric 'clipped' corner design at the terminal end of the handle.
Material & Composition
Likely Sterling Silver (.925 purity). It may also be high-quality Silver Plate (EPNS) on a nickel-brass base, depending on the reverse hallmarks not visible in the image.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish finish with streamlined Art Deco-inspired linear borders. Minimalist decoration focuses on the silhouette rather than ornate chasing, typical of the Post-War era.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Expected marks on the reverse neck would include 'Sterling' or a manufacturer's mark. If silverplate, marks like 'IS' (International Silver) or 'EP' might be present.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a single piece of silver sheet. The machine-made precision suggests high-volume manufacturing with hand-finished edges and polishing.
Functional Features
Elongated handle designed for stirring iced tea, parfaits, or mixed drinks in tall glasses without the hand touching the beverage or the glass rim.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver handle, integral to the bowl. Flat profile with a slight flare toward the tip for ergonomic grip and balanced weight distribution.
Craftsmanship Details
Excellent commercial-grade manufacturing. The seamless transition from bowl to handle demonstrates superior die-set alignment and finishing typical of major American silversmiths.
Authentication Indicators
The tarnish color (blue-black hue) is consistent with silver sulfide. The crispness of the border lines indicates a high-quality die-striking process rather than a cast reproduction.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, likely manufactured in a major silver center such as Meriden, CT or Providence, RI.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1940-1960). The clean lines and lack of Victorian excess place it firmly in the mid-20th-century aesthetic.
Age Estimate
Circa 1945-1955 based on the geometric handle termination and streamlined neck profile.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Gilded Age' transition into modern American dining formalities where specific utensils were created for every conceivable culinary course.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Shows moderate surface tarnish (patina) which suggests silver content. No visible bending of the neck, which is a common stress point for this form.
Value Estimate
$25 - $45 USD if Sterling; $5 - $10 USD if Silver Plate.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash with mild soap; polish with a reputable silver cream like Wright's. Store in Pacific Silvercloth to prevent the heavy tarnish visible in the image.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with 'Tablespoons' or 'Parfait Spoons'. Difference lies in the extreme handle length and the smaller bowl size relative to a standard tablespoon.
Interesting Facts
Iced tea spoons became a status symbol in American homes during the early 20th century as the consumption of chilled sweetened beverages became a social ritual.