British Sterling Silver Caddy Spoon with Repoussé Bowl and Cast Clip
Flatware (Serving Piece / Caddy Spoon) · Unidentified British Maker (Maker mark partially visible in hallmark trio, likely Birmingham or Sheffield based)
Pattern: Traditional Victorian/Georgian Revival Repoussé Tea Caddy Spoon Pattern
Type
Flatware (Serving Piece / Caddy Spoon)
Maker
Unidentified British Maker (Maker mark partially visible in hallmark trio, likely Birmingham or Sheffield based)
Material
British Sterling Silver (.925 fineness)
Dimensions
Approx. 8 to 10 cm in length, weighing roughly 10 to 20 grams. Designed specifically for measuring loose tea leaves from a caddy.
Description
An exquisite British sterling silver caddy spoon characterized by a beautifully chased and repoussé bowl adorned with floral scrollwork and intricate pierced bead borders. The slender stem proudly displays clear British hallmarks including the lion passant. The handle terminates in an ornate, openwork cast element with a hanging loop or clip, demonstrating the high level of whimsical artistry applied to utilitarian tea accessories during the Victorian era. A delightful find for collectors of antique silver flatware and tea memorabilia.
Key Features
Deeply chased repoussé bowl with pierced rim, clearly struck British sterling hallmarks on the stem, and an elaborately pierced cast handle with an integrated hanging loop.
Material & Composition
British Sterling Silver (.925 fineness)
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on handle and stem, highly chased and repoussé-decorated bowl featuring floral motifs, beading, and pierced fretwork along the rim. Characteristic of Victorian revival and ornamental souvenir styles.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Visible British hallmark sequence on the stem near the bowl junction: Lion Passant (sterling silver standard), Maker's Mark (partially obscured initials), and a Date Letter (appears to be 19th-century gothic script or similar standard British assay stamping system).
Construction Details
Combination of die-struck or hand-raised bowl with chased decorative details, and a separately cast handle/clip component joined firmly to the stem. Typical of 19th-century British silverware manufacturing techniques combining mechanical stamping with skilled hand-finishing.
Functional Features
Features a specialized small bowl for portioning tea leaves and an integrated cast decorative loop, ring, or clip at the terminal end, allowing the spoon to be hung or attached securely.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid silver decorative handle featuring pierced openwork and scroll designs, terminating in a detailed cast loop or finial. Ergonomically shaped for pinching between thumb and forefinger during tea service.
Craftsmanship Details
High quality Victorian production combining the precision of machine-assisted stamping for the base bowl shape with skilled manual chasing, repoussé detailing, and delicate piercing around the rim and handle.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic British silver indicated by the presence of the Lion Passant sterling standard mark and associated assay punches on the narrow stem. Wear patterns and patina in the recesses of the repoussé work match genuine 19th-century manufacturing.
Origin & Manufacturing
United Kingdom (likely manufactured in Birmingham or Sheffield, major hubs for specialized Victorian silver novelties and flatware production).
Era & Period
Victorian Era (1837-1901), closely matching the late 19th-century revival interest in ornate, highly decorated small silver accessories.
Age Estimate
Circa 1850-1890, based on hallmark style, chasing technique, and the popularity of decorative novelty caddy spoons during the mid-to-late Victorian period.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Victorian obsession with elaborate ritualized domestic hospitality, specifically the social etiquette surrounding tea service and the display of refined taste through decorative small silver.
Condition Notes
Very Good antique condition. Surface shows minor, expected microscopic scratches consistent with age and gentle polishing. The bowl structure is sound, hallmarks are reasonably crisp, and no major dents or structural repairs are evident.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $150 and $350 USD depending on the specific maker's mark clarity, exact weight, and current collector demand for Victorian novelty flatware.
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with warm water and mild dish soap using a very soft brush to clear tarnish from the chased recesses. Polish sparingly with a professional silver cream and a microfiber cloth. Store in a tarnish-resistant flannel pouch.
Similar Pieces
Victorian leaf-form caddy spoons, shell-bowl caddy spoons by makers such as George Unite or Hilliard & Thomason, and various 19th-century Birmingham novelty tea spoons.
Interesting Facts
Caddy spoons became highly collectible in the 19th century as afternoon tea grew into a formalized social ritual among the British middle and upper classes. Silversmiths competed to create whimsical, highly ornate designs shaped like leaves, hands, shells, and flower buds.