Antique Silver Spoons
An antique silver spoon is a popular collectable, with an array of different shape and sizes available. Elegant and delicate, many have beautiful engravings and decorations; set against a wall or framed they are a pretty piece to admire. Antique silver spoons are a sound investment piece and rarely lose their value.
Silver spoons can be used for their functional purpose and there are many attractive, unique sets available. You can choose from antique teaspoons, tablespoons, caddy spoons, soupspoons, sauce ladles, salt spoons and serving spoons to name but a few.
History of Antique Silver Spoons
Spoons have been in existence since Palaeolithic times, and are one of the earliest forms of cutlery known to civilisation. Their material, shape and size has evolved and altered over the years, but the earliest form of spoons would have most probably been shell; the Greek and Latin word for spoon are derived from ‘cochlea’, which in fact translates to a spiral shell. Wooden and Ivory spoons can also be traced back as far as Ancient Egypt,
In the 1300’s, pewter, iron and brass became popular materials to be used and it was during this time that English law created ’sterling standard’ for silverware, which related to the standard of fineness of a silver item. A hallmark is an essential reference point to determine whether your antique spoon is silver.
Silver spoons were often given as a Christening/Baptismal gift from the 1500’s onwards as it was believed that a gift of a silver spoon upon birth holds the connotation that the given person will never go without wealth. They may also have been given as a wedding present. By the 17th Century there was an increase in silver production, with new mines discovered in America and Asia. The modern dining set was suddenly en vogue among wealthy families and many of the original silver spoons from this period are still in existence.
The tradition of giving a silver spoon as a gift has been around for centuries and they are still considered a lovely keepsake to this day.
Types of Antique Silver Spoons
A silver spoon will have a purity of 92.5% solid silver; there will also be a hallmark indicating its authenticity. Dependant on whether you wish to use the silver spoon for its purpose or as purely a piece to admire, will determine what type, style or size you wish to purchase.
From the 17thC flatware in dining sets became increasingly popular, inspired by the French courts, production of silver cutlery increased, by the 1840’s with the development of silver platting, there was a further increase in manufacturing of silver spoons. Although it is worthy of note that silver platted spoons are less valuable than solid silver spoons. The teaspoon was introduced in England in the 17th C and it is the most available antique silver spoon now available.
With the creation of trefid spoons in 1680, emerged an array of different spoons, including dessert and egg spoons. A popular choice is also the silver berry spoon, often available in pairs; their date of creation is usually from mid to late 17thC. During the period 1890-1920 there was a surge in commemorative silver spoons produced, documenting events, important people or simply cities and scenes.
It is possible to find lovely sets of silver spoons, often in sets of four or six. Antique silver spoons that look very attractive laid out on the table are those with patterned handles, silver spoons with enamel decoration and silver gilt guilloche spoons are visually appealing. An antique children’s silver spoon also makes for a lovely gift or keepsake for the future.
Worthy of note as a sound investment piece and very desirable to collectors are antique silver apostle spoons. These early christening spoons were cast with one of the twelve apostles and are extremely valuable, often reaching in the region of a thousand pounds plus.
Displayed in a dresser or laid out upon a table, used to serve dinner to guests or simply a delicate teaspoon for the sugar, an antique silver spoon is a delightful addition to a dining set.
