Caddy spoon, scoop bowl, silver & ivory handle
Date1803-1804
Artist/Maker
Cocks & Bettridge
OriginEngland, Birmingham
MediumSilver (Sterling); Ivory
DimensionsOL: 4"; w of bowl: 1 1/8"
Credit LineGift of Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
Object number1998-67
DescriptionShort thin ivory handle with long ridged silver socket; plain flattened scoop bowl.Label TextDuring the eighteenth century drinking tea was an important social custom in England and America. The practice of serving it required both distinctive manners and specific equipment. Because tea was a valued commodity, the leaves were stored in a locked tea caddy to prevent theft. Tea caddy spoons were often purchased separately to scoop the loose leaves from the caddy to the teapot. Although they are mostly thought of as silver objects, caddy spoons were also made of other materials such as ivory, mother-of-pearl, and tortoiseshell. These little spoons were mass produced during this time in various shapes including shells, leaves, and the eagle’s wing.
Markingslion passant; monarch's head; anchor; date letter "f"; maker's mark "C&B" in rectangle
ProvenanceEx Coll: Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
1809-1810
1802-1803
1811-1812
1810-1811
1806-1807
1816-1817
1814-1815
1814-1815
1814-1815
1816-1817
1807-1808