English silver tea caddy spoon, c. 1802-1803
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1802-1803
This antique caddy spoon, measuring approximately 3 1/4 inches in length, is a specialty utensil designed for measuring and scooping dried tea leaves from a tea caddy.
Produced in England during the early 1800s, specifically circa 1802-1803, the spoon is crafted from silver and weighs 0.2 troy ounces. It features a faint traces of a gold overlay, which has largely worn away over time. The bowl of the spoon is decorated with an etched design incorporating a bow motif, reflecting the elegant, ornamental style common to such luxury household items of the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The piece exhibits five hallmarks, including the English Lion mark, which designate it as Birmingham silver. The consignor suggests the spoon may be attributed to the maker Joseph Taylor. Characterized by its short, ergonomic handle intended to fit comfortably inside a tea canister, this item is a quintessential example of historical silver flatware used during the era when tea service was a sophisticated luxury ritual.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 3 1/4 inches
- Weight
- 0.2 troy ounces
- Material
- silver with remnants of gold overlay
Technical characteristics
- Hallmarks
- five hallmarks, including the English Lion
Design
- Motif
- etched design with a bow
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Joseph Taylor
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.