Fine 18th Century Silver Mote Spoon

Mote spoons were 18th Century table items for collecting tea-leaves (motes) from un-strained tea. The long handle with a pointed terminal was for unblocking the teapot spout when clogged with leaves (18th Century silver teapot primarily had straight spouts). The bowls were pierced to allow the liquid to flow through while retaining the tea leaves (motes). These rare items are much sought after by collector's This lovely example has the traditional oval bowl with cross foliar piercing. The handle is straight and has a steeple finial at the terminal. Unusually, the reverse of the bowl has a rat-tail.