Caddy spoon, scoop bowl
Date1809-1810
Artist/Maker
Joseph Willmore
(working ca 1805-died 1855)
OriginEngland, Birmingham
MediumSilver (Sterling); Mother of Pearl
DimensionsOL: 3 5/8"; w of bowl: 1 1/4"
Credit LineGift of Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
Object number1998-89
DescriptionMother of pearl handle with rounded tip; scoop bowl. Handle with ridged silver socket. Plain 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 "l"; maker's mark "J.W" in oval
ProvenanceEx Coll: Mr. E. Palmer Taylor
1811-1812
1802-1803
1810-1811
1660-1710
ca. 1830
ca. 1720
1750-1770
1800-1801
1807-1808
1803-1804