Victoria Falls Souvenir Enameled Demitasse Spoon
Flatware (Demitasse/Souvenir Spoon) · Unmarked souvenir manufacturer, likely British or South African colonial manufacturer supplying tourist markets.
Pattern: Victoria Falls Travel Souvenir Series, highly popular in the mid-20th century for global travelers.
Type
Flatware (Demitasse/Souvenir Spoon)
Maker
Unmarked souvenir manufacturer, likely British or South African colonial manufacturer supplying tourist markets.
Material
Silver-plated base metal (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) with vitreous enamel decoration on the finial.
Dimensions
Approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in length, standard demitasse or souvenir spoon size, estimated weight around 12-15 grams.
Description
A charming and collectible souvenir spoon featuring a vividly colored enameled oval finial depicting the iconic Victoria Falls. The piece has a bright mirror finish on the teardrop-shaped bowl and a slender stem adorned with decorative relief casting near the terminals. It serves as a classic memento from the African continent during the mid-century travel boom.
Key Features
Polychrome enameled pictorial finial showing Victoria Falls, clear blue sky and white cascade details, standard demitasse form with decorative handle nodes.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated base metal (likely EPNS - Electroplated Nickel Silver) with vitreous enamel decoration on the finial.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on the bowl and stem, featuring a polychrome vitreous enamel painted scene of Victoria Falls on the terminal with the text 'VICTORIA FALLS' along the lower border. Cast decorative scrollwork below the terminal.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in image, likely stamped with standard EPNS or maker's initials on the reverse side of the stem.
Construction Details
Die-struck stem and bowl with a separately soldered or riveted enameled terminal plaque, standard mass-production technique for tourist spoons.
Functional Features
Non-functional ornamental souvenir or small demitasse spoon intended for display or light stirring.
Handle & Grip Details
Slim cast handle featuring decorative floral or scroll nodes leading to a flat, enameled oval pictorial finial.
Craftsmanship Details
Typical commercial souvenir quality utilizing die-struck metal components paired with applied cold or fired enamel pictorial plaques.
Authentication Indicators
Typical construction for mid-century souvenir spoons; weight and finish align with mass-produced electroplated tourist items.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in the UK or South Africa for export and local tourism at the Victoria Falls site.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1950-1970), common era for international tourist enamelware.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1970, based on the style of enamel transfer work and common tourist souvenir eras.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the post-WWII rise in international tourism and the popularity of collecting tangible mementos from exotic global destinations.
Condition Notes
Excellent overall condition with a bright, reflective bowl surface, intact and vibrant enamel with no visible chipping or cracking, minimal tarnish.
Value Estimate
Estimated market value ranges between $10 to $30 USD depending on collector demand and specific backstamp markings.
Care & Maintenance
Wash gently by hand in warm soapy water. Avoid harsh silver dips which can damage or discolor the vitreous enamel. Dry with a soft cloth.
Similar Pieces
Other African and international tourist enameled souvenir spoons from makers like Toye, Kenning & Spencer, or various South African silversmiths.
Interesting Facts
Souvenir spoons became a massive collecting craze in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, with travelers collecting spoons from every landmark, city, and country they visited.