Caddy spoon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1812-1813
This silver caddy spoon is fashioned in the form of a scoop. It was made through stamping, piercing, and engraving techniques, including bright cut engraving on the handle. The bowl features both pierced work and decorative incised engraving, while the short handle is embellished with bright-cut foliage and border details.
The spoon was produced between 1812 and 1813 in Birmingham by maker Joseph Taylor. It bears Birmingham hallmarks for 1812–13 as well as the maker's mark of Joseph Taylor. In terms of dimensions, the piece measures 2.4 cm in height, 7 cm in length, and 3.6 cm in width.
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 measuring and dispensing dry tea from a tea caddy, typically made small enough to fit inside the container. English examples originated in the mid-18th century as the tea caddy replaced the Chinese tea bottle. The caddy's wider opening accommodated a small spoon, rendering the earlier practice of using the bottle's thimble-shaped cover as a measure obsolete. Caddy spoons were required to be hallmarked, having been excluded from the small-article exemptions of the English Act of 1790. This object was acquired from the Fitzhenry Collection.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver, stamped, bright cut engraving on handle, pierced and engraved bowl
- Dimensions
- Height: 2.4 cm; Length: 7 cm; Width: 3.6 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: Birmingham hallmarks for 1812-13; 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 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: Mark of Joseph Taylor; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Maker recorded
- Taylor, Joseph
- Place recorded
- Birmingham
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
- 1332-1902
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.