Caddy spoon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1831-1832
This silver caddy spoon was produced in London between 1831 and 1832 by the makers John Lias, Henry John Lias, and Charles Lias. Formed by raising, fluting, and bright cutting, the utensil measures 10.9 cm in length, 3.3 cm in width, and 1.5 cm in height.
The spoon features an oval bowl decorated with wavy fluting and raised patterning. It connects to a slightly curved, plain handle with a beaded and feathered edge. On the underside of the handle, the piece bears London hallmarks, a duty mark, sterling standard mark, a leopard mark, the date letter 'q' for 1831–1832, and the maker's mark 'IL, HL, CL' for John, Henry, and Charles Lias. Additionally, a scratch mark reading '66X' is recorded under the handle.
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.
Historical context
A caddy spoon is designed for taking and measuring dry tea from a tea caddy, generally sized to fit within the container. English examples originated in the mid-18th century as the tea caddy replaced the Chinese tea bottle. The caddy featured an opening large enough for a small spoon, eliminating the earlier practice of using the bottle's thimble top as a measure. Unlike many other small items exempted under the English Act of 1790, caddy spoons were always required to be hallmarked. This object entered the collection as a gift from the Fitzhenry Collection.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver, raised, fluted and engraved
- Dimensions
- Height: 1.5 cm; Length: 10.9 cm; Width: 3.3 cm
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Under handle: maker IL, HL, CL for John, Henry and Charles Lias, London hallmarks, duty, sterling, date ‘q’ for 1831-2, leopard. Scratch mark: 66X; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: A8728; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Maker recorded
- Lias, John; Lias, Henry John; Lias, Charles
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Caddy spoon
- Museum object number
- 1312-1902
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.